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10/12/2011 18:54:19
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martin h
Posts 861
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Don't know if anyone would be interested in an informal get together to sort out the ongoing issues around Sunday clubruns, intro rides and any other cycling related issues. Probably be early Jan, any suggestions for location or topics get posting.
Non cycling members welcome as long as they're gagged.
Ahaa.
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10/12/2011 20:58:09
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viv
Posts 2690
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Great idea pa. If someone can organise, count me in.
It's all about the ride.
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11/12/2011 10:02:46
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AndyA
Posts 771
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Happy to be involved!
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12/12/2011 13:07:46
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rothers
Posts 1204
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Guide dogs for the blind. It's cruel really, isn't it? Getting a dog to lead a man round all day. Not fair on either of them.
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12/12/2011 18:12:32
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Nick G
Posts 167
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Good idea, and happy to get involved.
It seems to me that when it comes to Sunday rides, one of the issues is partly to do with semantics, and partly to do with tradition.
The traditional cycling club of what, 40-50 members (or less) could hold a traditional Sunday club run each week if roughly a third of the membership turned up. But scale that traditional model up to a club the size of Manchester Wheelers (~280?) and you're going to have problems, both in terms of numbers and in terms of spreads of ability, even allowing for the fact that the number of active riders seems (anecdotally) to be about one-fifth of the total membership.
The issue of semantics revolves around the fact that the MW model is to have a single "Club Run" and various other rides too.
My solution, I think, would be to change the wording, so that we have a variety of Sunday Club Runs at different levels, maybe defined by pace, terrain and ride length: Slow / Medium / Fast; plus flat / mixed / hilly. The basic point here is to provide sufficient information for riders to develop their own strategy for developing their fitness over a period of time, perhaps supplementing the Sunday Club Runs with individual rides where necessary.
So one could go from Slow/Flat/35 miles to Slow/Flat/45 miles to Slow/Hilly/45 miles or maybe Medium/Flat/60 miles. Under the current definitions, those rides would be: Intro; Intro+; Intro++; Intermediate.
Anyway, just my two penn'orth.
edited by Nick_G on 12/12/2011
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12/12/2011 18:57:11
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NigelM
Posts 18
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I agree this would be a good idea. I'm new to cycling and the thing that puts me off is how fast will the pace be. A couple of weeks ag I did the Intro ride and really enjoyed this. I do worry that some of the rides that are posted may be out of my league and am therefore sceptical. I like the comments by Nick that would catogorise the rides that would then enable the member what is intended for this particular ride.
I would welcome this approach and personally beleive would encourage more members and present members to get out more.
Willing to attend if people think this will be useful.
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12/12/2011 19:29:59
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Jonathan
Posts 212
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And there in lies the problem!.....
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12/12/2011 19:35:39
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John Dunstan
Posts 106
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The January Social Night hasn't been sorted yet and this seems like a really good opportunity to get people together. We could stick with the Gateway at Didsbury or I'll see if I can get a room at the Lass O Gowrie in Manchester. Any views on location?
I will check when the January Committee meeting is so that we don't clash and then post a date.
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12/12/2011 20:07:55
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Nick G
Posts 167
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Either venue suits me (although the Lass is my local!).
Oh. And should any writing need doing, I'm happy to volunteer.
Edit: By 'writing' I mean new text for the web page/collating ideas into a coherent text. Not new rules!
edited by Nick_G on 13/12/2011
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13/12/2011 08:21:36
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rothers
Posts 1204
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Ahead of the meeting here's a taste of what other clubs with a similar membership profile do ;
Liverpool mercury
A number of regular Sunday members have been discussing breaking up the two Sunday runs at some point early into the route to avoid the growing problem of groups of 20+. It seems that there may be room for 3 groups now:
Umpas – Across hill and dale in leisurely fashion. Some times out for hours. Urgently need rider with Garmin.
Turbo Umpas – As above but faster. Old racers. No mercy given to anyone battering the front or wearing grand tour jerseys – unless you have won said jersey. No Garmin needed. May swerve hills in winter months.
‘Big Hitters’ – This is for those that do the chainys in the summer and want to run intervals and push it. Sad middle aged men trying to keep up with young buckos in their 20′s and 30′s.
This system would give people the chance to choose from three different paces depending on how they feel.
Wolverhampton wheelers.
Sunday Club Runs from the Hugh Porter Way at Aldersley Leisure Village, W-ton. 9.00 am This group is race training, faster and with no cafe stop. It wont ease up or wait for struggling riders so you must now how to find your way home and fix your own bike if required to go with this group.
9.30 a.m. More social with a cafe stop.
Gosforth rc
Sunday Club Runs - meet 9.30am (Easier ride) & 9am(Training Ride)
The club meets as two groups which depart at different times. The first group is a training group which is lead by one of the more experienced racing members of the club. The ride is structured for those who wish to race in the coming season. Rides are of 70-80 mls at an average of 18/19mph with a stop midway before Christmas and a continuous ride after Christmas.
The second group is for those who do not intend to race or are not yet fit enough to go with the racing group. Rides with this group are approximately 50/70 mls at an average of about 16mph. A coffee stop is always incorporated and no one is left to their own devices to get home. This group is lead by Peter and is very similar to a Saturday ride. Members can switch between groups as they wish.
My take on things. I think that on the whole we have made pretty good progress from the days of 4 years ago. The flexibility we have though brings different challenges and I have found myself riding solo rather than tag onto the back of ride that more often than not does not suit. Both in terms of start time and distance & profile.
One of the things that I'm picking up on is that some riders want to ride at a level they are comfortable with. Others wish to get a good winter in ready for racing.
From the above examples I would prefer two groups.. one faster with no stop and a more leisurely pace. The challenge then is to keep the membership as integrated ad it is now.
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13/12/2011 08:37:41
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Jonathan
Posts 212
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Golly gosh - he's got it! Absoloutly spot on Dude! - well nearly... sod the times - this is just hyperthetical:
9.00: Training ride/chaingang
9.30: Sunday 'club ride' 60/70 miles with a cafe stop for those who want it
9.30: Intro ride - 30/40 miles - and as some of these riders get stronger - if they chose - they can go on the 'Sunday club ride' instead!
Now all it needs are a few dedicated members to lead /help out with the above rides & organise the destinations and routes!
Keep it simple and it will work! - 'The best kind of style, is the style you don't notice!
'The almighty' willing I'll be there at 9.30 on sunday - and no Mr Le Hub - that doesn't mean I normally 'go to church on a sunday'! - well maybe the Church Inn sometimes, and the Railway, The Greyhound, The Chapel House, sometimers The Roebuck - oh and the Red Lion, The Black Swan, The Dog at Peover's pretty good, the Sweatenham Arms, The Crown, The Nelson, The Old House...x
edited by Jonathan on 13/12/2011
edited by Jonathan on 13/12/2011
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13/12/2011 10:14:24
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viv
Posts 2690
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John D - yes please. Can start with these ideas, discuss pros and cons, get names against the dates we are proposing then have a beer to celebrate.
Don't think anyone has a problem with the ideas, its this bit thats missing : Now all it needs are a few dedicated members to lead /help out with the above rides & organise the destinations and routes!
Theres also another item it would be good to discuss while we are there. Someone suggested using meetup for organising rides and replace the forum and it does look pretty good - as with the system now any members can add a ride then anyone else can RSVP to the events to say they're attending, then there can be a discussion thread around it, the organiser can message everyone thats going etc. Theres a bit of a cost to it rather than the system we have now thats free but if we think the extra functionality would be worthwhile we could consider it. Ill see if the person that suggested it could show a demo.
City centre would be best personally for the social but whatever you go with ill try and be there.
edited by viv on 13/12/2011
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13/12/2011 10:34:41
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Dave Brett
Posts 454
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I like how so much talk goes on the forum about riding and why people just can't get out and ride. I'm also thinking that while ideally renaming stuff "improves" the situation most of the time its either people not liking the look of the weather, only got a 1 day pass on the weekend, or people can't be bothered to get up in the morning and think to themselves they will go out a bit later. Hence however much you wildly change the plans and get people organising stuff its still not going to get lots more riders out the scale people are talking.
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13/12/2011 11:42:31
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paulrockliffe
Posts 295
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Thing with the weather is that if turnouts are lower is that that gains momentum. If I think no one else is going to turn up, then I'll wait for the weather to ease off rather than getting soaked riding on my own. If there's four or five people thinking the same then that would have been a good ride out despite the weather, but it ends up not happening, I guess this is a communication failure to an extent. Not that I'm around much at the weekends.
I'm inclined to think that the best approach is just to keep things simple, just name the day and the time and let the rides evolve from there. But the key really is having a core of riders that will take responsibility for a route and the pace etc. It should be feasibly to make it up on the day depending on who turns up. Or you can just set off riding and see where you end up.
I know Rothers will hate this idea, but if you're someone who wants to give a ride a go, but is worried about the pace or being dropped, if you have a GPS you can give it a go and if it doesn't work out, you're just left riding on your own, but at least you're riding and it's not a bad way to improve.
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13/12/2011 11:59:31
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Si
Posts 1399
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paulrockliffe wrote:
I'm inclined to think that the best approach is just to keep things simple, just name the day and the time and let the rides evolve from there.
.
+1
Can't help but think you're overcomplicating things.
The way I see it, the ride goes up on the rides list with a brief description ( as has always been the case ) and people turn up. If you can't take the pace or think you'll struggle either a: hang on as best you can b: train more or c: post up a ride of your own. Simples
Just my thoughts and not me volunteering to lead a ride, I'll stick with being a loner and doing all my Winter training on my own.. See ya'll in March 
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13/12/2011 12:16:48
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viv
Posts 2690
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Lets meet up in Jan, discuss an ideal structure, then IF we have enough ride leaders turn up and volunteer to make it happen we will give it a try. If not, we will carry on using the rides list as it is. Sound like a plan?
40 members organised rides this year, seven of those members organised more than 10 rides each. Think we owe a big thanks to them. (That leaves 200 members that didn't, just saying...)
Lets not beat ourselves up too much. There have been 267 rides this year and loads of members improving and racing. We have got a solid base, any improvements are a bonus.
edited by viv on 13/12/2011
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13/12/2011 12:43:10
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Jonathan
Posts 212
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OK! - i'm sorry about all this talking Dave - and really do know where you are coming from mate! As i said above and what the good Mr R and Si have put as well.. let's put the rides up - see who turns up? With a club this size - surely there will be at least a few takers??
I still think all it needs are a few 'stalwart volunteers' for each of the 3 oops dare i say 2 rides? (the chaingang/training ride takes care of itself?!)
Put the rides up on a monthly basis - make use of the forum for this and the monthly newsletter.
There really does need to be sub commitee linked to club rides - it is the core of any club - big or small!:
As mentioned before - just 4/5 volunteers should be enough - Dave can't be expected to do it all! I'll fall on my sword right now and say I can do one sunday per month either intro or club ride - hope that helps start the ball rolling...good luck!x
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13/12/2011 14:32:16
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ant
Posts 1096
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The wet weather doesn't put me off riding, it puts me off riding in a group. I went out on Sunday morning and got soaked but it wasn't too cold and I managed my best CP60 on a training ride this year!
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13/12/2011 15:49:19
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paulrockliffe
Posts 295
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What's a CP60?
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13/12/2011 16:00:19
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rothers
Posts 1204
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paulrockliffe wrote:
What's a CP60?
AFA
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