FNRttC Friday Night Ride to the Coast Brighton July 15th 2011

[GrumpyGregry]

They are perhaps aimed at different markets - you guys see such stuff as superfluous, we see it as a comprehensive, well organised event - and not simply a ride? Not everyone partakes in sportivesregularly and for many this will be their first foray into such rides and we have an obligation to deliver a fuller expereince - we see our challenges as much more of an "event" rather than a "registration and ride" - it's just a difference in opinion!

Hope the weather is good for FNRttC!

but in so doing do you not you actually risk insulating people from the fuller experience?

but if it gets people out on their bikes it is probably a good thing. so as I said before, more power to your elbows.

 

[martint235]

Good luck with the ride Ed. Sounds like a great idea. Anything that teams bikes, a spirit of adventure and some healthy exercise is a win in my book. Horses for courses, and there's plenty of track out there.

Have a great one.

Andy.

Don't you want to tell him it will take two hours longer than he thinks it will??? Or is that just me?

Good luck with the ride Ed. It sounds good for the people it's suited to but I don't think I'd be one of them.

Have a good 'un.

 

[CharlieB]

…mamils…

Oi!!!

 

[arallsopp]

Don't you want to tell him it will take two hours longer than he thinks it will??? Or is that just me?

I would think my sig puts these questions to rest.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Oh Lord! We're doomed

I probably am. I'm sure you'll get by. My riding partner of two weekends ago was catatonic with shock when I went into a chip shop to ask directions to a pub we could not find.

Oi!!!

I'm middle-aged. I'm a man. I wear lycra. But all my bikes have either one chainring or three so I can't really be a mamil.

Mind, I prefer merino, and baggies, and sometimes a helment peak, even on a road bike. I think that breaks several rules, and disqualifies me as a cyclist.

 

[ACUK Ed]

Ed, I'm sure your ride will be just grand.

Two observations....

Your model tends to reinforce the idea that people can't ride a bike further than their local shops without needing external logistical support, a fleet of vehicles, and a bunch of professionals in the wings, and a motor vehicle at either end to complete the deal. Sounds like your target audience is most likely mamils and weekend warriors; if so more power to your elbow. Meanwhile I'll get by with the kit I carry in my own saddlebag and the wits inside my head.

Give all that support, and secure parking, which implies people driving to the start, and the coach etc., have you speculated what the C02 footprint is for one of your events?

All true to a point - and yes such an event doesn't shout the eco-credentials we all like to endorse when engaging with cycling challenges so fair point! I guess what we are partly trying to do is engage a wider audience in the fun of mass-participation cycling events - and really get people in the saddle - with a view to them then progressing onto other rides. I would like to think that many will do an event like Moonriders and it will inspire them to go out there and look for other opportunities like FNRttC, Dulwich dynamo, 100 mile rides, Etapes etc indepednently and generally promote cycling as a fun, inclusive sport!

Obviously we are a commercial company, and whilst all of our rides are charity numbers, we have to make a turn on delivery/supply otherwise we would simply cease to exist and wouldn't be able to put on events and create reach and appeal to a wider audience...

It's always good to know from the horses mouth what the feeling on the street is - and if Moonriders doesn't tick the boxes in the ways described here then that's useful info for us when we are conceiving and planning future rides - so all the feedback and comments are appreciated!

Thanks,

Ed

 

[StuartG]

I disagree with Ed that the there is not that much difference in the style of ride. They are both supported and open to riders of all abilities (and sometimes none) along a similar route.

The real difference is that if we were paying Dell & Co the minimum national wage for all the work they put into preparation and the rides themselves - then we might be paying £89 too! Its a reminder of the value we get from the dedication and time of the few.

Its also a demonstration of how the co-operative idea can trounce the commercial. Wow if Dave C reads this he might be holding dear Dell up as a Big Society Hero ... take a bow Si ...

 

[Tim Hall]

magnify, magnify...

You mean like this:

img

 

[frank9755]

All true to a point - and yes such an event doesn't shout the eco-credentials we all like to endorse when engaging with cycling challenges so fair point! I guess what we are partly trying to do is engage a wider audience in the fun of mass-participation cycling events - and really get people in the saddle - with a view to them then progressing onto other rides. I would like to think that many will do an event like Moonriders and it will inspire them to go out there and look for other opportunities like FNRttC, Dulwich dynamo, 100 mile rides, Etapes etc indepednently and generally promote cycling as a fun, inclusive sport!

Obviously we are a commercial company, and whilst all of our rides are charity numbers, we have to make a turn on delivery/supply otherwise we would simply cease to exist and wouldn't be able to put on events and create reach and appeal to a wider audience...

It's always good to know from the horses mouth what the feeling on the street is - and if Moonriders doesn't tick the boxes in the ways described here then that's useful info for us when we are conceiving and planning future rides - so all the feedback and comments are appreciated!

Thanks,

Ed

I assumed it was a typo the first time, but repetition suggests you may want to do a bit more research on UK nighttime bike rides!

 

[Aperitif]

You mean like this:

img

Yes. Always knew you would be a beacon witness for the Proseccution, Tim. I had a lot of that I think... Frank pinched the glasses, in a rare departure from his niche clothing fetish.

 

[Aperitif]

I assumed it was a typo the first time, but repetition suggests you may want to do a bit more research on UK nighttime bike rides!

Nothing wrong with riding to Dulwich from, say, London Fields - could get there in time for a pint or two, Frank!

 

[frank9755]

Yes. Always knew you would be a beacon witness for the Proseccution, Tim. I had a lot of that I think... Frank pinched the glasses, in a rare departure from his niche clothing fetish.

'Teef, I'm sure you'll be impressed that I managed to come away from Simon's place yesterday with three Fridays jerseys in my saddlebag. Fed him some line about helping to deliver them...

 

[theclaud]

'Teef, I'm sure you'll be impressed that I managed to come away from Simon's place yesterday with three Fridays jerseys in my saddlebag. Fed him some line about helping to deliver them...

I bet you distracted him with booze. Don't think we haven't clocked your M.O. If those are mine and The Clarks', you've gone too far this time!

 

[frank9755]

Nothing wrong with riding to Dulwich from, say, London Fields - could get there in time for a pint or two, Frank!

As it happens, I rode through Dulwich a couple of times yesterday. I don't think I'd ever been there before - or certainly not when I was paying attention. The College looked splendid - in particular the pavillion (and I thought it was a very tempting chip over mid on from the junior pitches to reach the trees, although hitting against the spin has been the undoing of many a better man than me...).

I'd gone into work for a meeting first thing and, finding the place was dead, I thought that it was a day to be out cycling, not twiddling my thumbs in an office. So I got changed again, and made a quick foray into the North Downs, via Streatham Hill. Had I planned it, I would have used a bike with more than one gear for my Dulwich Dynamo[sup]TM[/sup], as there was a bit of walking involved on some of the scarp slopes (Tandridge Hill), and making it back over Crystal Palace in the afternoon was far from a tap in.

This won't come as news to Andy Allsopp or many others but one of my discoveries of the day was that there seem to be not one, but two, big transmitter things at Crystal Palace. A very pretty half-day out, down a completely new corner of London and set of country lanes for me.

 

[frank9755]

I bet you distracted him with booze. Don't think we haven't clocked your M.O. If those are mine and The Clarks', you've gone too far this time!

I was going to say it was a bit too early for that ploy as it was only 10:00 - but then I realised that it was just the right time!

I could really see Simon getting into the clothing business. He seemed to be revelling in the cut and thrust of jersey sizing. Also he seemed most impressed that I had dressed to match his hydrangea.