Beginner's Rede - North-EAST

Hey members,
Due to lack of interest, this might be my last Beginner group ride until next year. Time to do a Garage Sale!! Though it's been and will be beautiful weather, I still have had very limited attendance. Same people showing all the time it seems. Don't mind that much, since some are and some have become friends, therefore we will continue riding together on our own.
If any of you cyclist are TRULY serious in bicycling with this group or just in a group in general, please check out each of the Organizer's Profiles, because they all state the area they live in and level of cycling. Feel free to contact them directly to ask if they plan on organizing a bicycling event close to your area and at your bicycling level. Us organizers signed up for just that....to ORGANIZE. Though life events may sometime hinder us from organizing a bicycling event all the time, please know that we still love to ride. A good kick in the rear to wake us up doesn't hurt either. We also just have FEEL that we have the support and interest of our members. Believe it or not, completing your profile helps us (especially me) organize events for you members better. You guys are what reves us up!! I've been with this group since the beginning, and have seen it grown. It would be nice to see more activity.
Though I will continue being the main Beginner Only organizer in this group, there are other organizers that will hopefully continue to organize rides for your level. So, if any of you beginners have any questions about getting on the road for the first time, please feel free to contact me. Happy riding everybody!! Sydnie

I've only been a member for a short time, mostly because I'm putting together a big ride and training program and I was told that some members of this group might be interested. I've noticed a lack of interest, probably due to a lack of activities.

When I sent an email to Ryan detailing my ideas I didn't even receive a response. My event would put 3 rides every week on the calendar; something I think this group would benefit from greatly. If the calendar has more entries, then people would be more encouraged.

I can tell that you feel a lack of interest by the majority, but maybe it's because of location or people's own perceptions. I don't know many beginning bicyclists who think 18 miles is a beginner ride. I think everybody can do it, but I just don't think a beginner knows he can do it. Maybe it's due to timing (my main problem). Perhaps it's just a lack of events on the schedule.

The organizer for my group mentioned Lisa as a contact for this group, so I started with her. I received no response from her, so I went directly to Ryan. What good is contacting them directly when they don't respond? It is my conclusion, and this is my own opinion, that it's not the members at large, but some apathetic organizers. A group with 18 organizers should have a full calendar.

The profile questions are too complex. After reading the first one, I decided that I couldn't answer it without a LONG answer. I didn't even bother to look at the rest. I agree that the information would help organizers with scheduling, but a few direct questions would receive far more answers. For instance: If a person says their average ride is 25 miles, then you can pretty much assume that they're not a total beginner and that they have ridden on roads with traffic and that they have most of the gear as well as a helmet. Yeah, there might be some who don't, but at least you have some idea. That's better than no idea, which is what happens when you have multiple questions in each question. About half the members didn't fill out the profile (that's a guess based on random sampling).

Everybody should understand that this is intended to be constructive criticism. I really have no stake in this group so it's mostly from an outsider's point of view. As I said before, I only came to this group because I thought people might be interested in my event(s).

Good luck to all. Ride safely.
rick

Though Rick is no longer a member, I'm leaving his comments on here. Mainly because he does speak some truths. I did respond to him directly, but he still chose to leave this group. It's too bad that we have so many organizers, but so little activity. Though I'm taking a hiatus from organizing with this group (just like everyone else), I'm still bicycling nice and easy BEGINNER rides. If any of you are interested in biking with me.....just email me through this website. I'd be happy to do my best to join you. Have a great holiday season! Sydnie