Foo - Gah! Another Off-Topic Post! (Bicycle related)

A little history. Last year, <3 and I joined our cycling club. Since it's run out of the bike shop I work at, I'm deeply involved in it by default but <3 became the club newsletter editor last year and is a voting member of the board. The club was founded in 1980 as a road cycling club and has since expanded to all disciplines. With over 200 members, you can find people interested in road racing, ultra-marathons, triathlons, mtb, 'cross, kids and family riding, you name it, we have a team for it. It's a great club with great people.

The club hosts a yearly picnic every summer and <3 and I were excited for last years. We wanted to meet more club members and wanted to use this opportunity as a meet and greet of sorts. When we arrived, about 10 people were there. Most of them were pushing 60 and they were all sitting in a circle talking about the old days. Needless to say, <3 and I were disappointed.

Since we're active members of the club and intimate with the workings of it, we've decided to help promote change within the club. We've started coming up with ideas for this year's picnic but I'd love to pick the collective Foo brain to possibly come up with some more. We want the picnic to be fun, family friendly, exciting and something that more than 12 people want to attend. The best idea so far is a sort of triathlon were the events are 12" bicycle dash, potato sack run, and something else which hasn't been determined.

The idea is that competition builds excitement, something sorely lacking from the club's get-togethers. Any ideas?

Coed, all-ages softball is always a hit.

Cycle Oregon has an evening bike rodeo every year that's fun. They have a bike limbo contest that's a hoot, roping contest and a few other events (long jump, track stand competition)

Raffle for swag seems to get more people out than anything, get donations from shops, reps and members. The better the swag the more people will come out. Topless dancers don't work as well with this crowd.

My cynical side says if you change things up, the 10 people who came last year will get upset and not come out of protest.

Carrying on.....

Our club "picnic" is twice year, once in the spring and once in the fall, and it is centered around the club time trials. The distance is only 5 miles, so even beginning riders can do it. Basically, everyone who wants to run a TT on a closed course gets a starting time assigned to them and when they are done there is a hearty meal of barbecue waiting for them. The club provides the meat and the rest is pot luck. Because it's a time trial, it's an excuse for people to bring their bikes out and compare notes. We don't do this, but maybe a small swap meet with the club members would be cool, too.

Club membership, by the way, is pretty open. Anyone can ride on any of the regular club rides, member or not. However, to ride the TT (and also to come to the Christmas Party), one has to be a paying member. Generating buzz about the TTs and Christmas Party is what makes most people renew their annual memberships.

Raffle came to mind for me too.

Maybe a theme? I'm personally not so big on them, but people seem to love dressing up as pirates/zombies/mermaids/US presidents/condiments/zombies, or zombies. And then riding their bikes. While dressed as zombies.

And yes, you may lose the old timers if you recruit newtimers, but that will happen eventually anyway.

can you tie it in to some well-attended ride?

Our club picnics usually have rides before hand, the speed/distance is coordinated so much return at approximately the same time. Big cook out afterwards, main dish supplied, everyone brings sides/etc.

Cuda and I have also been to a vintage bike show where you ride your C&V ride or at least bring your C&V ride to the picnic. Sides supplied, etc.

Got some sponsors to donate items for a raffle. Had a ride after the meal.

You might incorporate a bike show along with the ride and picnic and raffle. Add more pizzaz to make it more fun. Maybe even toss is a kids bike tune up area and bike rodeo area for the little guys, space allowing.

Maybe have a local BMX or show team come out and put on display of ramp skills or flatland / urban riding?

Incorporate a food drive for a local charity?

The more you can add, the more you might boost attendance.

One word: homebrew. If you know someone who makes their own beer, talk them into bringing a keg. Nothing brings out a crowd like homemade beer. :)

Also, we have great luck with doing a morning ride, then gathering for a picnic. You can't make it a fancy affair, as most will be standing around in their lycra. But getting together for an hour or two after a nice ride to enjoy a burger and beer is great fun.

Incorporate geocaching into the ride.

There's some good info here. (http://www.lmb.org/index.php/Education-Toolkit/how-to-start-a-bike-club.html)

Cuda and I have also been to a vintage bike show where you ride your C&V ride or at least bring your C&V ride to the picnic. Sides supplied, etc.

Got some sponsors to donate items for a raffle. Had a ride after the meal.

You might incorporate a bike show along with the ride and picnic and raffle. Add more pizzaz to make it more fun. Maybe even toss is a kids bike tune up area and bike rodeo area for the little guys, space allowing.

Maybe have a local BMX or show team come out and put on display of ramp skills or flatland / urban riding?

Incorporate a food drive for a local charity?

The more you can add, the more you might boost attendance.

Yeah.... when are you gonna do that again? Sounds like fun. I may even bring the chicken hat.

http://www.vfwpadistrict18.org/images/Gratz_BBQ_15_Oct_11_3.jpg
The flyer should contain images like that.

Naked Twister or maybe a flat repair race.

Naked Twister or maybe a flat repair race.


Combine the two, Naked Twister Flat Repair Race!

http://www.vfwpadistrict18.org/images/Gratz_BBQ_15_Oct_11_3.jpg
The flyer should contain images like that.


When the yardbird is done cooking, do you put the mash tanks back over the fire?

Water balloon relay race on bikes around the park (1-3 laps, dpeending on size)
Epic water balloon fight (10,000 balloons cost like eight dollars and can be stored in kiddy swimming pools)
Water balloon toss
Greased watermelon relay
Flat repair race
Short (4-6 stop, 5-8 mile) alleycat with fun stops like Finding Waldo or telling a joke
Doggy drag races (best with wiener dogs)
Frisbee throws, accuracy and distance

It's outside in a park on a warm day. Have a sit-down-and-enjoy-a-beer contest.