Bike Clubs

[Bike Chick]

Everything has helped tremendously. We currently have about 15 members; four of which are the Board members. Monthly club rides are planned with distances for both beginning and advanced riders. We just ordered jerseys with the club logo and plan to ride in a group at local charity rides. We are also planning to prepare brochures for distribution at 5k runs, charity rides, local gyms and bike shops. I feel its a good start.

One more question I have for you ladies is this:

Did you join your club because you wanted to receive something tangible (ie. a t-shirt, discounts at bike shops) or because you just want to ride bikes with other folks that have the same interest as you? There has been a difference of opinion among some of our board and some feel that we need to offer our members something in return for their membership fee. We don't have the money for postage on newsletters much less passing out t-shirts. What are your thoughts please?

[shootingstar]

One more question I have for you ladies is this:

Did you join your club because you wanted to receive something tangible (ie. a t-shirt, discounts at bike shops) or because you just want to ride bikes with other folks that have the same interest as you? There has been a difference of opinion among some of our board and some feel that we need to offer our members something in return for their membership fee. We don't have the money for postage on newsletters much less passing out t-shirts. What are your thoughts please?

I joined in Toronto the group where I became a board/committee member because I wanted to ride and share cycling with others with same interest also.

We did not charge a membership fee. Instead we charged per monthly ride and for workshops. Also had a conference every 2 yrs. where it was 2 days of workshops. It was great. All were fee-based inlcuded T-shirt, water bottle.

The other option is to provide a blog in lieu of a newsletter. A person can sign up with wordpress for basic service and preset templates for free. Server memory should be enough. It's well over 1 gig per registered primary account user/administrator. You can make this blog exclusive just for members or later open it up to rest of world so people will find you.

Maybe you can include an annual picnic or luncheon...make it simple on yourselves after a ride. You're tiny group right now. Any coffee shops willing to give a discount with membership card? Think of some partnerships with local businesses.

[SheFly]

Did you join your club because you wanted to receive something tangible (ie. a t-shirt, discounts at bike shops) or because you just want to ride bikes with other folks that have the same interest as you?

I joined because these were my people . I wanted to ride with and learn from other avid cyclists/racers. When I recruit, that is the carrot I use - we don't provide anything "tangible" to our members. In fact, if members want a jersey, t-shirt, etc., it is something for which they will pay.

Stay within your means. If you have a charter, stick to it. Eventually, people will see what you are doing, that you are doing it well, and having fun, and they will want to join you.

Good luck!

SheFly

[IFjane]

Hey BikeChick! I don't feel my responses can equate to those already posted because I live in a very rural area and there are only a few of us who ride regularly (road bikes, that is). However, there are several very active larger clubs in the area who have much larger memberships.

Our club is loosely organized & we communicate through a yahoo group site. According to the site we have 42 members +/-, though we usually have an average of 5 show up for a ride - sometimes 10+, mostly not. Like I said, we're out in the boonies of VA

I didn't join the group - the group sort of evolved around us. We found out through happenstance that there were a number of us living in the area who all loved road riding & we started riding together. The rest kind of "happened". We help sponsor the only large fund-raiser ride in our county each year. This coming year is the 22nd or 23rd year and it continues to be one of the more popular in the region, simply because of the location - roads, scenery, etc. The proceeds benefit the local recreation department.

Tulip had some great comments & RABA is an awesome club. Much bigger than anything we locally will ever have. Best of luck to you!