velovoice
Veteran
- Location
- Between the City and the Sea
Stuart, you have made a whole series of presumptions here based on what you think I said, not what I actually said!I am shocked you think challenging precludes inclusivity. That surely belies the whole ethos of the FNRttC - to get ordinary riders to do extraordinary rides.
Do you not think 2012 & 2014 inclusive? Everybody who planned to do the whole lot did the whole lot. The range and capability of riders was pretty much the same as this year. The difference is some tours extend beyond our comfort zones and that gives to some an extra zist. The trick is to keep it still within the capability of the regular Friday rider. You have to admit that was done in 2012 & 2014.
I accept that some may wish to stay 100% within their comfort zone and a holiday is for seeing, drinking and making merry. Not for a bit of necessary but occasional sustainable discomfort to see new places make iconic destinations (another linchpin of the Friday movement or are we going to abandon Ditchling?). But it works both ways - we have to favour both viewpoints and the only real way to do that is vary the Tours from year to year.
That's why I am concerned that, for me, life-changing foray into continental touring doesn't stall because of lack of ambition and settle into a rut. We have had two flat rides to The Netherlands. Fine. Why not somewhere else next year and return in 2018 or 2019 if the leader is willing? Do we really want to get stuck in the mud?
Nowhere have I said that inclusivity and challenging are mutually exclusive.
I was not on the 2012 or 2014 tours so could not possibly comment.
I have not suggested for one instant that anyone wishes to stay 100% within their comfort zone! but I am pretty sure that no one wants to spend 100% of their time struggling and feeling demoralised.
I don't believe anyone has mentioned "ruts" or "mud" except for you.
There is certainly no lack of "ambition" in any of the proposals for 2017 made to date!