Originally Posted by
hotbike
Then again, I don't go on club rides, so maybe I don't know what I'm talking about.
I think that's the case. I don't mean that in an obnoxious way. I think before you start making lots of suggestions you owe it to yourself to go on some big club rides and see what they are like.
I don't do a lot of club rides. Maybe a half dozen or so a year. Small rides require about the same amount of organization as a ride with any group of friends. Big rides are another matter. The amount of planning and preparation that goes into a large group ride is pretty incredible.
Arranging for a place to start (parking!)
Food and water stops
Arrowing and route scouting
Mechanical support (at start and on the road)
Sweeps and Sags
Bathrooms (Don't forget to rent the Port-O-Sans!)
Buying and distributing whatever gifty being given out (water bottles, t-shirts)
Food and drink for the volunteer party after the ride.
I suspect that if there were a circumstance where a policeman were required, to direct traffic for example, it would be a paid detail, and just part of the cost of the ride. The budget crisis doesn't come into it.
Speedo