Group Ride Information Help

[Bob Ledford]

For the past year an a half I have been trying to get a Spyder Ryder group started in this area. We have muddled along with a maximum of four participants for most of that time. Just recently the blockage in the member pipe broke and now we have ten members.

As the chief instigator or agitator of the group I have been doing a lot of the background work. I don't mind as I like to stay busy.

This past weekend I was finally able to stir up enough interest together a ride to the Leesburg Bike Fest. I put out an email to the group listing a breakfast start time combined with a fillup point an a hit the road time. I listed our route in text format for everyone's information. Two showed up at the start point on time. Myself and one other Spyder out of an expected five. One got up and decided to meet up on the road. He was at a intersection about six blocks from our route as we used the truck by pass and not the business route. Additional information; he sent a late night email with information which I did not get to read until after I got home. So we passed each other like ships in the dark. He proceeded to the destination by his self.

My questions are:

1. What could or should I have done different?

2. Should I have put out a map with itinerary on it?

3. Should we insist every one have two way radio communication?
(which I believe in but I know it would cost us participation in the end?

What would a professional trip planner done different? I used to move whole companies of military vehicles and troops. Without accident or incident and arrive two or three days later on time and never left any thing stranded over night. But that took months of planning, an actual run of the route, strip maps, a communications plan, a medical plan, a recovery plan, a billeting and meal plan. All consolidated into one big movement order and 100's of pages of paper. Which won't do on my own!

Looking for some guidance from you professional planners.

 

[asp125]

I try to use the KISS principle with planning rides. Keep it simple and reduce the number of variables. If you try to accommodate too many people it becomes a logistical nightmare.

One thing you might consider is giving out your cell phone # so other riders can call or text you last minute. Sometimes unforeseen things like a flat tire will delay someone. Then the group isn't kept waiting or can make alternate plans.

I also try to make secondary stops to pick up riders at easy to find, highly visible locations; places with parking lots that the group can pull into and meet. Instead of like "corner of Main & 10th, merge in when you see us coming". Mainly because the latter involves moving traffic and lights.

Otherwise your plan was spot on: you had a destination, and a route. You can't hold everybody's hand all the time.

 

[ARtraveler]

You have run into some of the problems that group riding deals with. There always seems to be someone or something that gets in the way of the "plan".

Good idea to have members given a cell number that they can call if they have any changes in plans or questions.

The group needs to function according to plan. Waiting for late stragglers may cause the others to get ticked off with the system.

Another favorite peave is those that do not come to the ride with a full tank of gas and they want everyone to pull off and watch them fill their tank.

I spent 10 years with a group and all of the above and more happened a lot.

Bottom line: glitches go with the territory. Kudos to those who are willing to take the extra time in organizing and keeping a group going on a regular basis.

 

[asp125]

An inexpensive alternative to #3 would be to pass out a list of cell phone #s to ride attendees. Even though it's not as immediate as radio comm, it's easy and almost everyone has a phone on their person.

 

[Illinois Boy]

My questions are:

1. What could or should I have done different?

2. Should I have put out a map with itinerary on it?

3. Should we insist every one have two way radio communication?
(which I believe in but I know it would cost us participation in the end?

Bob,

I commend you for attempting to do this, but as one that has organized rides and rallies for years... I have simply given-up committing myself to the grief any longer. There are always people who simply are rude, or do not "get it".

The best rides and ride groups I had were ones that stuck by strict rules; of which being late was not tolerated at all. We simply never waited for anyone, and it did not take long for people to learn that.

Secondly, we didn't wait for anyone to fill-up at the start. It didn't take long for people to understand that rule either.

Eventually, we had a variety of people that came prepared and on time. If you placate any unpreparedness... they will just become endless. It's the 'ole "give a person an inch and they'll take a mile" problem.

Pre-planning your rides should include the route and itinerary, and should be provided for the attendees in advance.

You may ruffle a few feathers at first, but eventually you will eliminate those that are not serious enough to not be a problem or drag on the group -- and believe me... there are plenty of them out there. Unfortunately, there are too many that should NOT do group rides.

Being in the military... you know one reason you could accomplish unbelievable logistics is that everyone was prepared, and NO ONE sloughed-off...

Put your stripes back on and get it organized! :thumbup:

 

[Bob Ledford]

Thanks to the responders

To those responded so quickly:

Thank for your input all of it is greatly appreciated. As much as detest using a cell phone I will do it. I am probably the only person in the USA that has never sent a cellphone text message.

If anyone comes up with anything else that you think is relevant to the subject matter. Please do not hesitate to post to this thread. You can as send mail to "[email protected]"


Thanks again everyone!!!