"Knight, Ross" wrote: > <snip>
> In particular one point in the > statement by Manny bothered me and I ask if this is really a problem as > stated. The comment involved putting the "group" back into "group rides" . <snip> > >From my point of view "group" already exists in "group rides". Tom has done > a wonderful job (I will not cros the road more than 5 times). The rides are > enjoyable if you do not bite off more than you can chew. > > Am I wrong? > > Ross D. Knight Hi Ross. I agree entirely with you. I am unaware of what Manny is basing this comment on. I checked my log and I road with the Club at least sixteen times this season (this only includes "official" Club rides). I do not recall consistent instances of riders getting 'dropped'. As I see it, when someone decides to ride with a group that they are not capable of keeping up with (for whatever reason), in most cases, there is a slower group behind that can pick them up. I was a group leader for one ride and we dropped one rider (who I know very well but I won't name him). I told him I would be more than happy to stay with him, but he insisted we go ahead. Further, we divide ourselves into groups by speed for a reason - if you cannot keep within the group's speed range, you should be mature enough to acknowledge the fact. Also, group leaders take steps to make it easier for the slower riders, such as keeping them in the draft, and waiting on hills, etc. If they still cannot keep up, then it is unfair to ask everyone to slow down for someone who clearly cannot keep up to the speed range of the group, at least, not without the consent of the entire group. It is the group leader's duty to be sensitive to this. If the rider has doubts about their ability to "fend for themselves" I normally have a cell phone and would be happy to let the person use it to call someone to pick them up. That is how I run things when I am leading a group. The other point Ross made I'd like to emphasize is that I think Tom Stratton has done a fantastic job this season. If there have been problems, it is no reflection on Tom. The simple fact is that he cannot be everywhere at once, although he certainly tries. All the board members, like Tom, are volunteers and my view, in fairness to the voluntary nature of the board, is that criticisms should be kept polite and confidential, with the best interests of the Club and cyclists in mind. I was leading a group this summer and regrettably, there was an accident involving some inexperienced riders that required an ambulance. I won't get into the details, but I learned a lot from it. My biggest regret is that we have probably lost the victims as potential Club members, as I doubt that their experience of riding and having an accident in a group will motivate them to come back. Perry McKenna and I discussed this, and Tom also mentions it almost every time we chat. Many of us who have been around more than a year who "just show up" for Club rides should really do more to help strengthen the Club. This requires leadership at every level, not just the board. Experienced riders who are not leading a group or on the Board should take the initiative and identify inexperienced riders and mentor them into the Club. The first time I showed up for a Sunday ride, was in late 1996 and Dave Lennox took me aside and gave me a crash course in group riding. After my experience from that accident, I am actively looking for inexperienced riders whether I'm the tour leader or not. So, I say to everyone who has signed more than one membership card, take the initiative and coach any new riders you meet on a ride. This will enhance everyone's safety and make the new riders feel more confident and welcome members of the Club. When I learn about incidents that lead to comments like Manny's, it makes me feel bad because the members of the board work hard for us all to make riding fun et cetera. When things go wrong, they are always doing their best, and it is more likely that us regular members have failed to do all we can to make sure things go smoothly. The board and group leaders cannot do it all. That's my two cents worth. -Rod Plunkett ------ To unsubscribe, send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Club Office: [EMAIL PROTECTED], (613) 230-1064 Web/mailing list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb Newsletter: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.cyberus.ca/~obcweb/Newsletter ==^================================================================ EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aVxiDo.a2i8p1 Or send an email To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This email was sent to: [email protected] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
