Your patience was appreciated yesterday. It wasn't until close to 9am that we realized
there was no one there to organize departure. I haven't determined what happened yet
as
the Touring director is away for the long weekend. The situation wasn't helped by an
insufficient number of volunteers to lead groups. There were two new volunteers whose
names I didn't get in the confusion. (*) Fortunately, Rosmarie had delivered the maps
to
MacDonald's so at least we had route instructions for those that volunteered. Thank
you
for helping out.
(*) I think Tom Stratton would like to hear from you, as well as others interested in
becoming tour leaders. They are particularly needed for the Touring 1 and Ramblers
groups. Theses are the most challenging groups to lead.
A couple of observations:
1. Maps are for group leaders not general participants. If you want to accumulate a
collection of maps, we would welcome you as a prospective group leader.
2. I was disturbed by the formation of a group in front of MacDonald's which did not
follow the normal "assemble-at-post" instructions. This smacked of elitism and
exclusion.
Maybe there was a good reason but I can't think of one and nobody cared to offer one.
I
feel that anyone wanting to form a private group could meet somewhere else.
3. When a member of a group suffers a breakdown in the cold as occurred in one group
yesterday, group members in conjunction with the group leader should consider creating
two packs (assuming numbers permit) with one proceeding to destination. It seems
pointless to have everyone waiting around getting cold. Although breakdown's are not
completely avoidable, when the same rider suffers flats in both tires (total three)
one
wonders if he has sufficiently prepared for the ride. Maybe that's an unfair
speculation.
I'm sure I'll be corrected if it is :-)
4. Overestimating ones ability - it is essential that riders make sure they choose the
group at the speed and distance that are within their capabilities. Those who don't
risk
the goodwill of the remainder of the pack. Worse still, they may get dropped.
I might add this advice goes for any action which affects others in the group whether
it
be riding technique, a poorly maintained bike, not communicating ones intent, or
inconsiderate behaviour. Last week a "guest" went missing at a snack stop. The pack
was
waiting in the cold. The individual was finally "found" inside the store talking on
the
phone.
5. The purpose of allowing guest participation is to introduce them to the club as
prospective members. Hence the new "three times" max rule as suggested by the OCA.
Except
for out-of-town visitors, non-members planning to participate in more than one of our
events, should join the club. (I'll refrain from the full "freeloaders" rant about
those,
including a couple of owners of a local bike shop, who think they are entitled to
participate in our events without paying.)
6. Participants (including non-members), in any OBC group ride must either have taken
our
group riding clinic or have prior group riding experience (preferably with the OBC or
another club that enforces group protocols - that would exclude events like the MS
Tour).
To avoid being excluded from our rides at Billings Bridge, as I had to do yesterday
with
a member, please recognize this rule and remind anyone you might be inviting as a
guest.
Finally, could someone let me know if a group riding clinic was held yesterday? Nobody
came to BB to take students to the Experimental Farm.
As always, forward any comments to Tom Stratton, Touring Director: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Avery Burdett
President
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