Capitalising on Olympic success - what can we do locally?
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Capitalising on Olympic success - what can we do locally?
I know this is an old chestnut and also I accept that it is effectively down to people to commit time (which I have none of and cannot therefore contribute personally). Is the Go-ride scheme thing going anywhere?
Re: Capitalising on Olympic success - what can we do locally
Sorry Dave, I know you mean well, but where you say "we" in your title, you really mean "someone else".Dr Dave wrote:I know this is an old chestnut and also I accept that it is effectively down to people to commit time (which I have none of and cannot therefore contribute personally). Is the Go-ride scheme thing going anywhere?
Everyone has time, they just choose to use it in different ways.
To you original question Dave: why don't we:
Organise lots of rides - short ones, long ones, flat ones, hilly ones, ones for families, ones for kids, ones for people training, on-road rides and off-road rides. Why don't we organise low key races, races where anyone can enter but also high profile ones. Why don't we take riders away for weekends and meet occasionally for a drink down the pub. Why don't we encourage people to try new stuff and stretch themselves. Why don't we have a clear and upto date web site. Why don't we organise coaching seminars and source physiological testing. Why don't we get ourselves known all around the city through the press and local bike shops; why don't we get to the point where if anyone asks as a bike shop about local clubs they get sent straight to us. Why don't we set up a vibrant discussion board where everyone can enthuse about riding bikes and get advice..........
Now, if we had a club like that we might be the best in Yorkshire.
Edit: and what about a twice yearly magazine packed with inspirational articles and an annual presentation dinner?
Organise lots of rides - short ones, long ones, flat ones, hilly ones, ones for families, ones for kids, ones for people training, on-road rides and off-road rides. Why don't we organise low key races, races where anyone can enter but also high profile ones. Why don't we take riders away for weekends and meet occasionally for a drink down the pub. Why don't we encourage people to try new stuff and stretch themselves. Why don't we have a clear and upto date web site. Why don't we organise coaching seminars and source physiological testing. Why don't we get ourselves known all around the city through the press and local bike shops; why don't we get to the point where if anyone asks as a bike shop about local clubs they get sent straight to us. Why don't we set up a vibrant discussion board where everyone can enthuse about riding bikes and get advice..........
Now, if we had a club like that we might be the best in Yorkshire.
Edit: and what about a twice yearly magazine packed with inspirational articles and an annual presentation dinner?
A quick update on what we're doing as a club.
As Rob points out, it's mainly a matter of resource and those that are doing stuff at the moment are pretty maxed out with all the above this year.
Willy has kindly offered to re-look at the whole youth involvement/coaching piece when he frees up some personal time later in the year.
When I looked at it last year the 2 main issues with Go-Ride were resources; both location-it really requires facilities away from traffic, and people - which we always struggle with.
With the racing season drawing to a close soon and we start looking, as a club, to next year it's mainly up to the general club membership what we do moving forward and that usually means turning up to OGM & AGM to come forward with ideas and, hopefully, more volunteers.
Onward and upward...
As Rob points out, it's mainly a matter of resource and those that are doing stuff at the moment are pretty maxed out with all the above this year.
Willy has kindly offered to re-look at the whole youth involvement/coaching piece when he frees up some personal time later in the year.
When I looked at it last year the 2 main issues with Go-Ride were resources; both location-it really requires facilities away from traffic, and people - which we always struggle with.
With the racing season drawing to a close soon and we start looking, as a club, to next year it's mainly up to the general club membership what we do moving forward and that usually means turning up to OGM & AGM to come forward with ideas and, hopefully, more volunteers.
Onward and upward...
Sorry Dave. Have had some feedback that I came across a bit heavy there. Actually trying to be a bit inspirational - our committee put masses of stuff on for us and its easy to take it all for granted. There's much to be proud of and in my view we're well set to help the thronging crowds post Olympics. Rather than do more its been my view that we make sure we maintain the quality.Dr Dave wrote:OK, I asked for that - I'll shut up......
On a lighter note I used my BC racing license as proof of identity when picking a parcel up at Royal Mail depot this week - bloke behind counter much impressed - I never thought it would ever be a badge of honour!!!
With the benefit of hindsight it might have been good to put on a "have a go" style event to tie into Olympic success?
Maybe something like a 4000m time trial??
I have a few problems with go ride
Most important is the starting point of "you cant take kids out on the road".
I think Willy has proved we can do that with certain provisos and hope his early success continues.
Also demands for commitment - guaranteed monthly events i think just put pressure on organisers. We are good at ad hoc events where different people volunteer to put on each event according to their own interests etc.
I was really impressed with the enthusiasm shown by Cycle Speedway people at Duncombe Park. Hairy as hell but safe for kids in sense you are off road
And just started reading Chris Hoys book about early BMX racing and how used to bus round country with other youngsters in same way as these chaps organise meets etc.
The BMX looked amazing on the tele last night. Andy the Jonno set out as BMX racer i think.
And anyone seen the kids riding on the ramps at Rowntrees park? Trials riding?? Great enthusiasm out there.
These are all areas we dont cover at the moment and which may appeal to youngsters.
Having said that imo we already do enough to satisfy the "hungriest" young rider. This i think is the advantage of a "racing" club. Whatever your entry point - and i would just see go ride as an additional one - there is enough different stuff going on to spread your wings to something else.
Maybe something like a 4000m time trial??
I have a few problems with go ride
Most important is the starting point of "you cant take kids out on the road".
I think Willy has proved we can do that with certain provisos and hope his early success continues.
Also demands for commitment - guaranteed monthly events i think just put pressure on organisers. We are good at ad hoc events where different people volunteer to put on each event according to their own interests etc.
I was really impressed with the enthusiasm shown by Cycle Speedway people at Duncombe Park. Hairy as hell but safe for kids in sense you are off road
And just started reading Chris Hoys book about early BMX racing and how used to bus round country with other youngsters in same way as these chaps organise meets etc.The BMX looked amazing on the tele last night. Andy the Jonno set out as BMX racer i think.
And anyone seen the kids riding on the ramps at Rowntrees park? Trials riding?? Great enthusiasm out there.
These are all areas we dont cover at the moment and which may appeal to youngsters.
Having said that imo we already do enough to satisfy the "hungriest" young rider. This i think is the advantage of a "racing" club. Whatever your entry point - and i would just see go ride as an additional one - there is enough different stuff going on to spread your wings to something else.
I would like to back up Rob's point that we should concentrate on what we have been doing. Membership has grown a lot over the last couple of years because we do offer a lot of different entry points and individual club members offer encouragement and friendship to new members. The link with Cycling heavon also helps present us as the local club for riders in York.
I think it would be helpful if we had a hands on racing captain in the way that Paul is the MTB captain and Kevin is there on a saturday for new members. The newbie chain gang which Phil set up was very succesful and gave riders easy access to a named racing member.
As far as wider encouragement of cycling,thinking especially of children,I think we are better of supporting those groups like sustrans which operate in the wider community.
Helen
I think it would be helpful if we had a hands on racing captain in the way that Paul is the MTB captain and Kevin is there on a saturday for new members. The newbie chain gang which Phil set up was very succesful and gave riders easy access to a named racing member.
As far as wider encouragement of cycling,thinking especially of children,I think we are better of supporting those groups like sustrans which operate in the wider community.
Helen
I'm with Rob on this - membership is on a very steady upward path and we really need to draw more members into helping/organising to avoid overstretching ourselves. I've been away for two weeks and have come back to six new applications.
The stuff Willy's doing is great and Paul C's worked wonders with off-road riding. Maybe we don't need to worry too much about the specifics of Go-Ride just yet.
On a lighter note, maybe it's time for a collector's item Clifton T-shirt run? How about "Olympic Gold - 8 out of 19 were on bikes!" tastefully accompanied by the club logo and web address....?
The stuff Willy's doing is great and Paul C's worked wonders with off-road riding. Maybe we don't need to worry too much about the specifics of Go-Ride just yet.
On a lighter note, maybe it's time for a collector's item Clifton T-shirt run? How about "Olympic Gold - 8 out of 19 were on bikes!" tastefully accompanied by the club logo and web address....?
Phil
I have tried really hard not to mention all the reasons why I(and others)
believe that any medals won at these games are tainted but you have made me crack. If we are to remember these games it should be with the handcuff olympic ring teeshirt and the name of a victim of the measures
taking by the Chinese Government to stage these games. My nominee is Gao
Zhisheng a lawyer and author of 'A China More Just'
Helen
I have tried really hard not to mention all the reasons why I(and others)
believe that any medals won at these games are tainted but you have made me crack. If we are to remember these games it should be with the handcuff olympic ring teeshirt and the name of a victim of the measures
taking by the Chinese Government to stage these games. My nominee is Gao
Zhisheng a lawyer and author of 'A China More Just'
Helen