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Fall Colors 2015

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RIDEMYST:
Good dialogue here guys!


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normkern:

--- Quote from: Patmo on October 15, 2015, 08:39:07 AM ---Very well put, Norm.  Do you mind if I copy this and post it up on the Ky-MSTA FBook site?

--- End quote ---

Pat,

You're welcome to share my comments on FB. I've been thinking about writing a feature article for STAReview on this subject. The only thing that's held me back is the thought that some may decry these ideas as exclusive rather than inclusive.

I already have an interest group document to explain the philosophy and rules for my riding group. It was developed last winter and our group followed it closely all season. Everyone had a good time and there were no mishaps. If anyone is interested, let me know and I will email it to you.

Norm Kern

normkern:

--- Quote from: Patmo on October 15, 2015, 02:23:41 PM ---It's been my experience that people that are "new" to an area are much more inclined to look for a "led" ride.  People more familiar with the area, because of prior experience, are more willing to either go out on their own or become the leader.  Expereience leading a group usually leads to more comfort doing it, but the catch is that it can only happen by doing. 

--- End quote ---

Before you can lead, you have to be able to navigate. Here's my personal riding group rule:
4.      "Every rider needs to navigate- have a GPS and use it. A GPS is not mandatory, but if you are not using a GPS loaded with the day's route, you need to ride in the middle of the riding group to minimize the chance of getting lost/separated from the group."

I encourage everyone to have a GPS with the route loaded and use it. That way if they get separated from the group they are not lost. I encourage them to follow the route on their GPS- double check me and learn navigation. Then they can ride independently if they want to do a different route, or LEAD THEIR OWN GROUP.

I also encourage group members to have a Sena 20s BT communicator and participate in group intercom so we can discuss the route as we ride. Gentlemen, THIS is how new group leaders are developed.

Norm Kern

normkern:

--- Quote from: HawkGTRider on October 15, 2015, 12:15:23 PM ---At STAR we asked people to volunteer to lead groups of a size with which they were comfortable. These rides were broken down by levels of "enthusiasm" so that even if you didn't have a riding group, you could probably find a small-to-large group with which to ride in a flower sniffing-to-hard charging manner. It worked pretty well. I expect we'll be doing that again with some tweaks.
Like clubs in general, we are a social group. If you don't have riding buddies, most still don't want to ride alone. I feel like it's more of a feeling of being included than needing to be led. If people found their way to an event, they obviously know how to find their way from one place to another. My guess is that it's the desire to be part of something that leads a person to ask about led rides.

--- End quote ---

We DO need people to lead all kinds of groups. There ought to be an opportunity at sign-in to declare if you are willing to lead, state your general pace and rules, and space availability for additional riders.

If you want someone to ride with, get a GPS, learn how to use it, and offer to lead. It will take some time, but you will wind up with plenty of people to ride with. Figure out your preferred style and ride format and be up front about what you want. People with similar interests will come on board. Boom! You have Interest Group riding.

Norm Kern

Patmo:
Norm...

.while I agree with you that the leader must be able to navigate, I do have to disagree with you about "needing" a GPS to do so......even though I do have one now, and am making "friends" with it, LOL.  The ability to read a map has helped me navigate thousands of miles over the years without needing or using a GPS.  I realize that the GPS is the wave of the future, but a basic knowledge of how to read a map is still a basic need if one hopes to develop and use routes.

.....it is very difficult to balance the need to bring new members into the group, and make them feel welcome and comfortable, and still keep current members feeling safe and comfortable when riding in a group.  I think that the signup sheets and MSTA Ambassador program that was used at STAR was popular and well received.  I hope to see it in use in the future, not only at STAR events, but also at regional events. 

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