Cycling Club Shennanigans

[Catrin]

IndySteel - all good points - my aversion to the club urban rides is really more due to my aversion to urban riding in general more than CIBA. I should have been more clear.

I totally agree that it really does matter who the ride leaders are - and you and your co-leaders did a fantastic job last summer and I hope that you do it again next year! I was on the same ride out of Columbus that you were on and couldn't agree more. I think that, overall, CIBA does a great job - and it is wonderful that there are so many volunteers that are willing to give of their time and energy to support so many rides year-round

[indysteel]

I wasn't really taking issue with anything you said, Catrin. Urban group rides aren't my cup o' tea either. I also don't like riding on snow or ice, and certainly not in the dark. You didn't catch me out there last night!

Don't get me wrong. I've complained a plenty to the folks at CIBA about various things over the years. They are not above criticism or reproach.

[Crankin]

Being a ride leader is hard work that most people don't realize; it's sort of like when I was a group fitness instructor. People thought it was a "fun" part time job and didn't realize the amount of preparation and leadership skills it took. And when you're a ride leader, you are doing it on a volunteer basis, which adds in another dimension. One thing that I think holds true for both of these situations is that just being "good" at it doesn't necessarily mean that you should be leading. Sometimes people volunteer or are recruited because they seem like good riders, but... they have no group leadership skills and don't have a firm grasp on the safety issues involved. People scoff at the leadership requirements for AMC, as it's really based on hiking, where there's as much liability involved as for cycling. But, I am glad I had to go through a 6 week course and a weekend. The other club I belong to has some good leaders, but, there's more variability and also I've been in situations where I never would have taken people through, mostly due to poor roads or traffic situations. So, definitely say something, or the club won't know.
I only lead 2-3 rides a year now, as I got kind of burned out. And I am happy to be the sweep, quite frankly.

[Desert Tortoise]

Sorry about the crummy ride. That was awful and I hope you never go through something like that again. The others have offered some really good ideas on how to make things better.

What struck me about your story was, yes the awful situation, but that in the midst of all that, a very kind person went out his way to help you through it. You went to see Christmas lights and ended with a gift of Christmas.

I know that doesn't change what all happened, but in that mess there was a shinning moment.