| Re: logistics associated with starting a new riding group?
Ken C. M. wrote:
> I have now been riding again for a couple of years now, been a regular
> here almost as long and now find myself wanting to ride with some
> other, the problem with this is, there is a local riding group but
> from the looks of some of the club photos, it looks like most of the
> riders are a bit older, I would prefer to ride more with riders a
> little closer to my own age group. Now I may investigate the local
> group a bit more and maybe even do a ride or two when they have open
> rides, I don't want to spend to join a group that I am not interested
> in riding with. So I guess what this boils down to is this: Has
> anyone ever started a riding group? Whats the hardest part? I would
> think it's probably getting new riders. How would you go about such
> an endeavor if you were inclined to make such an attempt? Thanks in
> advance for all the input.
I've been away and so I'm responding late to this post.
1. If you actually show up, you might find that there is more of a variety
of ages in the group than it appears. It's possible that the younger group
doesn't have any people who care to take pictures.
2. Ask them what other groups are in the area. Most people seem happy to
share this information, although naturally they think the group they ride
with is best. (and it probably is, for THEM)
3. Around here, you can ride with a group a few times before they get
serious about collecting dues, assuming they ever do. There's no real
investment involved.
The only group I was involved in starting was a spin-off. Some of us were
refereeing youth soccer, and thought it would be good conditioning / a bit
of fun to go for a ride on Saturday morning. Sometimes there were a few
older (5th-8th grade) kids along. We did this for two or three years. You
might do a spin-off from a fitness center, a church men's group, or
something else.
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