Club frustration
08-16-12, 05:41 PM
#51
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It's really ashame because behavior has deteriorated over the 17 years I have been doing club rides.
There was an indicent a few weeks ago on a C ride that went through what your average suburbanite would consider a really bad city neighborhood that in reality is a not that bad. A woman riding a fixie got a flat. 650c wheels, which are rare. Despite it being an urban ride the day after heavy rain (lots of crap on the streets), she only brought one tube. The valve stem broke during the changing. The group ended up leaving the woman and her friend on the corner while they waitied for their husbands to drive an hour from the way out 'burbs to pick them up. Later, one of the husbands called the ride leader are cursed him out for leaving two women alone in a dangerous neighborhood. According to the ride leader, the women did not clearly express a desire not be left alone. The club president spoke with the leader, the women and the husband (not exactly disinterested parties) and determined that they had clearly expressed such a desire. Then we heard from an impartial memeber of the ride group who said that they did not clearly express a desire not be be left alone.
Here is the interesting part. These women could have called cabs. Better yet, they could have walked about 6 blocks to a desireable neighborhood near U. Penn. that has its share of $500K+ homes and a lovely park and coffee shop to hang out in. The impatial observer suggested doing so before the group left. The woman who flatted rejected that idea because she was scared her husband would get mad at her if she damaged her rim walking the bike with a flat. Excuse me, but you would rather remain in a place where you allegedly feel your life is in danger because you fear the wrath of your husband over ruining a $50 bike part? You either didn't feel that threatened or you have poor decision making skills. (And what does it say about the health of that relationship?) What many of us think really happened is that the women told the group to go on because they felt guilty about demanding that it wait so long and then told their husbands a different story when they (the husbands) got upset about their wives being left behind in what they considered a bad neighborhood. All this got communicated via the club's list serve. Only the irate husband chimed in on their side. Not once did either of the women speak up. My theory is that they did not because they didn't want to perpetuate a lie. The ride leader has since stopped leading rides.
There was an indicent a few weeks ago on a C ride that went through what your average suburbanite would consider a really bad city neighborhood that in reality is a not that bad. A woman riding a fixie got a flat. 650c wheels, which are rare. Despite it being an urban ride the day after heavy rain (lots of crap on the streets), she only brought one tube. The valve stem broke during the changing. The group ended up leaving the woman and her friend on the corner while they waitied for their husbands to drive an hour from the way out 'burbs to pick them up. Later, one of the husbands called the ride leader are cursed him out for leaving two women alone in a dangerous neighborhood. According to the ride leader, the women did not clearly express a desire not be left alone. The club president spoke with the leader, the women and the husband (not exactly disinterested parties) and determined that they had clearly expressed such a desire. Then we heard from an impartial memeber of the ride group who said that they did not clearly express a desire not be be left alone.
Here is the interesting part. These women could have called cabs. Better yet, they could have walked about 6 blocks to a desireable neighborhood near U. Penn. that has its share of $500K+ homes and a lovely park and coffee shop to hang out in. The impatial observer suggested doing so before the group left. The woman who flatted rejected that idea because she was scared her husband would get mad at her if she damaged her rim walking the bike with a flat. Excuse me, but you would rather remain in a place where you allegedly feel your life is in danger because you fear the wrath of your husband over ruining a $50 bike part? You either didn't feel that threatened or you have poor decision making skills. (And what does it say about the health of that relationship?) What many of us think really happened is that the women told the group to go on because they felt guilty about demanding that it wait so long and then told their husbands a different story when they (the husbands) got upset about their wives being left behind in what they considered a bad neighborhood. All this got communicated via the club's list serve. Only the irate husband chimed in on their side. Not once did either of the women speak up. My theory is that they did not because they didn't want to perpetuate a lie. The ride leader has since stopped leading rides.
08-16-12, 05:53 PM
#52
Senior Member
Nobody tried to take a narrow 700c tube and stuff it into the 650c tire? That would've gotten her home.
08-16-12, 06:10 PM
#53
Just Keep Pedaling
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Exactly...this is a big part of the group's mission. And one reason I am not leaving the group...just my club leadership spot.
08-18-12, 04:35 PM
#54
Just Keep Pedaling
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Got email from founder and it seems our yearly dues are being increased in Sept to $35 per year. Hmmmm
Not discussed and decided by club leadership (our next mtg is in Sept) so am guessing this was a decision she made alone or with the ok from her BFF who is now the VP and her partner who is the club secretary.
Not sure I am down with a rate increase at this point. Heck BCI (Bike Club Irvine only charges $20/year)
This is what we get for our "fee"
Not discussed and decided by club leadership (our next mtg is in Sept) so am guessing this was a decision she made alone or with the ok from her BFF who is now the VP and her partner who is the club secretary.
Not sure I am down with a rate increase at this point. Heck BCI (Bike Club Irvine only charges $20/year)
This is what we get for our "fee"
- Participant Accident Insurance underwritten by American Specialty Insurance;
- League of American Bicyclists membership, 11 issues of Bicycling magazine, 4 issues of American Bicyclist, and discount bike shipping;
- Monthly club newsletter;
- Discounts at all of our participating bicycle shops
Last edited by Beachgrad05; 08-18-12 at 04:37 PM. Reason: Font
08-18-12, 04:42 PM
#55
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Meh, if it goes into mud wrestling post videos online and solve your funding issues at a stroke.
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08-19-12, 04:51 AM
#56
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Got email from founder and it seems our yearly dues are being increased in Sept to $35 per year. Hmmmm
Not discussed and decided by club leadership (our next mtg is in Sept) so am guessing this was a decision she made alone or with the ok from her BFF who is now the VP and her partner who is the club secretary.
Not sure I am down with a rate increase at this point. Heck BCI (Bike Club Irvine only charges $20/year)
This is what we get for our "fee"
Not discussed and decided by club leadership (our next mtg is in Sept) so am guessing this was a decision she made alone or with the ok from her BFF who is now the VP and her partner who is the club secretary.
Not sure I am down with a rate increase at this point. Heck BCI (Bike Club Irvine only charges $20/year)
This is what we get for our "fee"
- Participant Accident Insurance underwritten by American Specialty Insurance;
- League of American Bicyclists membership, 11 issues of Bicycling magazine, 4 issues of American Bicyclist, and discount bike shipping;
- Monthly club newsletter;
- Discounts at all of our participating bicycle shops
Got email from founder and it seems our yearly dues are being increased in Sept to $35 per year. Hmmmm
Not discussed and decided by club leadership (our next mtg is in Sept) so am guessing this was a decision she made alone or with the ok from her BFF who is now the VP and her partner who is the club secretary.
Not sure I am down with a rate increase at this point. Heck BCI (Bike Club Irvine only charges $20/year)
This is what we get for our "fee"
Not discussed and decided by club leadership (our next mtg is in Sept) so am guessing this was a decision she made alone or with the ok from her BFF who is now the VP and her partner who is the club secretary.
Not sure I am down with a rate increase at this point. Heck BCI (Bike Club Irvine only charges $20/year)
This is what we get for our "fee"
- Participant Accident Insurance underwritten by American Specialty Insurance;
- League of American Bicyclists membership, 11 issues of Bicycling magazine, 4 issues of American Bicyclist, and discount bike shipping;
- Monthly club newsletter;
- Discounts at all of our participating bicycle shops
08-21-12, 10:56 AM
#57
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However, the two women were given a perfect option to get them out what they allegedly preceived to be a life-threatening situation and they chose not to exercise that option. What was the group, or any one member, supposed to do? Wait there for an hour because the women refused to walk six blocks with a flat tire? And there are these inventions called taxis, which can be called on inventions called cell phones, which they had. I would have left them under those circumstances. The hubbies continue to refuse to consider their wives' roles in the outcome. One of them said he had no idea a cab would come quickly. Really? In the 5th largest city in America? Gimme a break.
08-21-12, 11:04 AM
#58
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Don't know if anyone had a patch kit to fix the original tube. Don't know if the others were on hybrids or what. In the end, they didn't need to get home or even back to the ride start location in order to get to a place where by any reasonable subjective standard they would have felt safe. They could have walked. Six city blocks walking a bike takes what, 10-15 min? I expect adults to display at least a modicum of life skills.
11-09-12, 08:03 PM
#59
Just Keep Pedaling
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Update:
Some folks are too "funny". I got unfriended on FB by the leader of the cycling club I belong to. She also "unfollowed" me on Strava and I now am no longer following her tho I was.
Recently she has gone off the deep end with reactionary and impulsive decisons. I have not said a word to her about how I view her decisions as it is her club and I am just a member (for now).
I met member Vntgdrms on one of our GMR forum rides and told her about the club for women. Not intending for her to be a sponsor or anything crazy just sharing a group of women to ride with. Told her to check us out on FB. And left it at that.
So she liked the club's page and the club leader contacted her. Things eventually got to the point of her new store becoming a primary sponsor of the club. In her zeal and excitement the leader decided to tell one of the current sponsors (who just gave us discounts when we shopped at their store) that we no longer needed them. Happens to be the shop I frequent and get a lot of my stuff at (including where I got my bikes)...so there went my discount. But it isn't about me so I kept quiet. I get that it is her club.
It didn't take long and things went sour and she kicked the new women's cycling shop to the curb in a tantrum.
I want to support Vntgdrms effort with her women's centric cycling shop that carries stuff just for women. So I have remained friends on FB with the owner and have also liked her shops page. Having her in business is a GREAT thing for women cyclists. The leader of the club is all about what can others do for the club forgetting that the owner of the shop has a business to run and hopefully make money off of. Plus she likes to ride too!
So today I rode down to the store from my home and had a nice visit and bought some stuff. I commented that the club leader no longer gives me kudos on Strava and thought that funny. So I get home and upload my data from my Garmin and notice my number of people that I follow is less 1 person. So I looked and lo and behold...the club leader is no longer someone I follow...so I checked the people who follow me and she is not there either. So then I look at FB and she has unfriended me. Good grief...are we in grade school?
I have been thinking for a while now that I won't be renewing my club membership in July when it expires because of the drama...now I am certain that will happen.
I don't recommend this club anymore to anyone. The drama just isn't worth it.
Recently she has gone off the deep end with reactionary and impulsive decisons. I have not said a word to her about how I view her decisions as it is her club and I am just a member (for now).
I met member Vntgdrms on one of our GMR forum rides and told her about the club for women. Not intending for her to be a sponsor or anything crazy just sharing a group of women to ride with. Told her to check us out on FB. And left it at that.
So she liked the club's page and the club leader contacted her. Things eventually got to the point of her new store becoming a primary sponsor of the club. In her zeal and excitement the leader decided to tell one of the current sponsors (who just gave us discounts when we shopped at their store) that we no longer needed them. Happens to be the shop I frequent and get a lot of my stuff at (including where I got my bikes)...so there went my discount. But it isn't about me so I kept quiet. I get that it is her club.
It didn't take long and things went sour and she kicked the new women's cycling shop to the curb in a tantrum.
I want to support Vntgdrms effort with her women's centric cycling shop that carries stuff just for women. So I have remained friends on FB with the owner and have also liked her shops page. Having her in business is a GREAT thing for women cyclists. The leader of the club is all about what can others do for the club forgetting that the owner of the shop has a business to run and hopefully make money off of. Plus she likes to ride too!
So today I rode down to the store from my home and had a nice visit and bought some stuff. I commented that the club leader no longer gives me kudos on Strava and thought that funny. So I get home and upload my data from my Garmin and notice my number of people that I follow is less 1 person. So I looked and lo and behold...the club leader is no longer someone I follow...so I checked the people who follow me and she is not there either. So then I look at FB and she has unfriended me. Good grief...are we in grade school?
I have been thinking for a while now that I won't be renewing my club membership in July when it expires because of the drama...now I am certain that will happen.
I don't recommend this club anymore to anyone. The drama just isn't worth it.
11-09-12, 10:15 PM
#60
SuperGimp
This is better than a daytime soap.
11-09-12, 10:29 PM
#61
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I might add BeachG that once you befriend a shop, they just may continue giving you discounts even though your club isn't linked. Go in and show them that you still support their shop without attitude. I'd almost bet they give you the club discount. I've gone into shops and never been a club member but the shop dude will say, "I'm giving you a club discount".
11-09-12, 10:46 PM
#62
Just Keep Pedaling
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I am amazed by the immaturity
11-09-12, 10:56 PM
#63
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Ah Clubs, been riding with a big one here in Phoenix for 5 years now and have though of quitting numerous times due to , Aholes, Snobs, clicks group, did I say Aholes? there are some NICE people in the group but DAMN too much Drama, attitudes. only reason I still ride is I like the routes and riding with 70-100 people every week can be Inspiring...lately I only ride the routes I like and skip the boring ones , ride myself....want to find a few near me to ride with
Oh and now lots of new members who ride like a friggin accordian
Oh and now lots of new members who ride like a friggin accordian
11-09-12, 10:58 PM
#64
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I know of a club that where the president kicked a female member out because she would not sleep with him. That's enough drama to keep me from joining a clumb. That's all I need, a female president throwing me out.
11-10-12, 02:07 AM
#65
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Your packing a lot of BS. Just think how light and free you will feel after you drop it.
You must have a phone list from the club, or at least know the last names of the club members you like so you can look them up in the phone book.
Plan your ride. Tell a couple friends what you are doing, and invite them to tag along. No more of the club crap. Just friends, doing what they want to do. Go ride a bike.
You must have a phone list from the club, or at least know the last names of the club members you like so you can look them up in the phone book.
Plan your ride. Tell a couple friends what you are doing, and invite them to tag along. No more of the club crap. Just friends, doing what they want to do. Go ride a bike.
11-10-12, 08:22 AM
#66
Tractorlegs
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Relationships with clubs can get melodramatic i guess - I feel like I'm reading a soap opera! Just go ride your bike and forget it. Enjoy your liberty and ride free!
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11-10-12, 08:38 AM
#67
Just Keep Pedaling
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DID YOU REALLY TAKE THE TIME TO WRITE ALL OF THAT? sadly i read most of it. you are a drama queen. you are seeking attention. you know what the right answer is. if you wanted all of this bull**** you would have started your own cycling club. you are just looking for validation. consider it validated, this club is not a club, it's a few randoms that want to ride. your leader there has more going on with this club than what she is telling you. she has some financial interest she isn't disclosing and is trying to make bucks and it aint going her way right now so she is stressing. thats my take
11-10-12, 08:52 AM
#68
Senior Member
DID YOU REALLY TAKE THE TIME TO WRITE ALL OF THAT? sadly i read most of it. you are a drama queen. you are seeking attention. you know what the right answer is. if you wanted all of this bull**** you would have started your own cycling club. you are just looking for validation. consider it validated, this club is not a club, it's a few randoms that want to ride. your leader there has more going on with this club than what she is telling you. she has some financial interest she isn't disclosing and is trying to make bucks and it aint going her way right now so she is stressing. thats my take
11-10-12, 09:25 AM
#69
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Finally this thread is getting fun to read.....let the name calling begin....lol
11-10-12, 09:42 AM
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This thread has run its course. Time to close it.
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Tony N.
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10-10-12 03:17 AM
