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01/12/2011 17:50:22
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Jonathan
Posts 212
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Noticed that there is no - one to take on the intro ride this sunday! Just thought I'd put a couple of suggestions forward to maybe discuss at the AGM. I've spoken to both Ken W & Dave Brett before putting the suggestions forward. None of what i am going to say is meant to be negative and also none is a personal slight on anybody!
There is a well known phrase - "If it ain't broken - don't mess with it!" and to a major extent this phrase could be used right now! firstly it has to be acknowledged and applauded that the past 5 years have found the club in it's best position since the late 1980's/early 1990's! - and this is down to the hard work of certain dedicated individuals - well done!
Okay regarding club rides - the tuesday and thursday night rides are working well and the chaingang rides take care of themselves! But the 'Stock' Sunday club ride should be the backbone of any club worth it's salt! Also the the intro rides are so important as well! Sadly the problem appears to be around commitment and structure?
Without sounding negative the main problem appears to be classic of modern society ie I'm going to do what i want, when I want to do it!' - it yet again reminds me of what my good cycling comrade in arms - Vince Fraga said: "Jonny - we're dealing with cyclists - and unfortunately cyclists are intrinsically selfish individuals - who do what they want, when they want!" And therin lies the problem - a club is only as good as it's members, and essentially - by definition - a club is a collection of individuals who share the same common interest! But for a club to work cohesively it all needs to pull in the same direction with an agreed struture. In principle I think the club has all the potential to do this - though it is easy to acknowledge - but harder to put into practise! ie No intro ride this sunday!
The intro rides are of paramount importance in relation to the on - going process of promoting the club and developing the club's future. Experienced 'cyclists' on the whole know what they want from 'cycling' and it is very difficult to get them to even remotely deviate from this! - But the intro rides are where it all starts! It just needs a couple of riders to volunteer to take on the responsibility ie one to lead - and one to pick any stragglers!
Regarding the 'stock' sunday club ride - Dave has been doing a cracking job - with just a little flexibility the 'intermediate ride' could be turned into the 'SUNDAY RIDE' - say 60/70 miles in length with a cafe stop in the middle! (those who really don't want to stop can always just carry on?). The Sunday club ride is essential! All it needs are a small group of willing commited individuals to take it on and liaise with each other and say arrange/organise rides on a monthly basis? Put them up on the forum and it's sorted! If some individuals don't want to come on the SUNDAY CLUB ride because they don't like it that week - so what? - it should do what it says on the tin! If you don't like it?...well that's not something I'm getting into on this post! I'm basically saying though that the SUNDAY CLUB ride should not be 'ad hoc' - it should have structure and definition!
Just a few other points - the 'Women's ride' appears to be attended by men as well - as it is of a similar distance to the intro ride - could it not be used as an extra intro ride? - these kind of rides would be very good to take juniors on as well!
This is another area we need to work on - we need junior riders! - they are the future of the club! To take a quote from the book -'A History of Manchester Wheelers Club 1883 - 1983' page 169: "Most important of all GORDON BUCHANAN and DAVE ASTON agreed to look after the junior and schoolboy members on Sunday club runs. The re - appearance of Sunday club runs on a fully organised basis was to have a most beneficial influence on the recruitment and retention of young members."
I think that quote sums things up well!
I genuinally only have the club's best interest's at heart - and i sincerely hope that i have not upset anyone! here's to a happy, constructive AGM!
Take good care out there! x
edited by Jonathan on 01/12/2011
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01/12/2011 18:48:43
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Dave Brett
Posts 454
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Further on from this I think if we can try and get a ride leader for the Sunday club runs and the intro ride for the following month then that can go in the monthly newsletter for the following month. I'll try and get better at getting on top of this. December looks covered apart from the intro ride (any volunteers please?). Can I have some volunteers for January now? Just for a stock 60-70 miles club run.
8th ??
15th Dave Brett
22nd ??
29th ??
And an intro ride on the 8th.
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01/12/2011 20:52:43
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Ken Workman
Posts 184
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Sounds like maybe it could be a topic of conversation at the AGM.
Come down to the velodrome on Monday at 7.30pm to discuss.
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01/12/2011 23:02:35
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Cathy
Posts 34
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I've volunteered to lead an intro ride on Sunday.
I might not make the AGM to hear what's decided re rides, intro/women's/others, as have to get back from work in rural parts. We do seem to have had more rides recently at intro level/easier/harder, even if not structured as well as could be, or regularised. This might happen with time? It's good to have them open to all.
edited by Cathy on 01/12/2011
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02/12/2011 08:20:07
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Jonathan
Posts 212
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Nice one Cathy! keep up the good work! x
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03/12/2011 23:57:46
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Crazy Pete
Posts 311
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If theres no sunday run listed & you want to go on one, put your name down on the list. Volunteer or keep quiet.
Its always just a few folk who sort the runs out. Where are the rest of you? Stop playing around on strava or map my w**k or whatever other deskbound distraction thats flavour of the month & get on your bike.
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04/12/2011 07:10:17
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John Dunstan
Posts 106
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If I'm not working on a Sunday I try to do something with the family, but in the spirit of "Club" I've posted an Intro on Sunday the the 8th Jan. 9am start.
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04/12/2011 09:34:39
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ant
Posts 1096
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Crazy Pete wrote:
map my w**k
Got a link for that? Need something to do as its abit cold/wet/windy to ride.
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04/12/2011 16:40:53
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Tonymufc
Posts 723
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ant wrote:
Crazy Pete wrote: map my w**k Got a link for that? Need something to do as its abit cold/wet/windy to ride.
You'll go blind doing that Ant. 
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07/12/2011 16:30:57
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viv
Posts 2690
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So we didn't get to discuss rides much at the AGM, too much official stuff to get through. We have discussed this lots at committee meetings but it doesn't need the committee to approve what rides we have. If you're interested in the way we do rides changing get involved and change them.
I'd suggest any riders interested in changing things get together at a pub in January and talk about it in a less formal setting. If someone wants to organise, i'm happy to add to the website and include in the next newsletter/journal.
edited by viv on 07/12/2011
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