Amblers' Rides - Club Webpage Information

[Mark Pope]

Something I meant to bring up at the last Committee Meeting (but I arrived after the meeting had finished!) is the information on the Club Website about the Sunday morning Amblers' Club Run. The Website states that Amblers' Club Runs are between 25-40 miles in distance and between 12-14 mph average speed. Frankly this doesn't reflect either the reality of the situation, or I believe the wishes of the vast majority of the Club membership. A more accurate reflection of these runs is a distance of between 45-60 miles at an average speed of 15-16 mph.  However, before I propose a change to the Webpage I thought I'd put this topic on the Forum to gauge your views? 

Mark     

[RichardB]

.... And a number of recent rides have been in excess of the 16mph.
Also, isn't  "Amblers" a bit of a misnomer. Do we need to think about a name change too?

[Teresa]

More than happy to change the website to something more realistic if someone would be kind enough to write a nice little introduction to each of the rides and how each of them are run.
It certainly is about time it was updated to give more accurate information for potential newbies.

[ron b]

There are some members who do not use the internet a all, should we wait to discus this topic at a meeting, there's no rush.

[ron b]

Having just read the "Amblers" thread it does seem that the MPH has dropped, 12 to 14 is unrealistic. I think it is essential that new riders entering or joining an Amblers or Pacers group are used to riding in a group and observing the rules of riding in such a close proximity to other riders at speed. There are many hand and vocal signals for potholes, cars, junctions, etc. which need  to be passed on to newer riders perhaps from a non cycling background. Perhaps we could have a training session similar to  the Chain gang night where new rider can pick up the skills needed to ride safely in a large group on the road

[Terry A]

I agree with the figures proposed by Mark P. Whilst there may be some deviation from these, they are still a whole lot closer to the normal Amblers ride then the figures currently on the website.

I don't really see the need for a meeting - more people read the forum than ever attend meetings so this forum is the vehicle that reaches most members.

Whilst not really 'urgent', we should make the change as promptly as possible as we still - and will continue to - get new riders joining the Amblers thinking they will be fine based upon the performance criteria currently on the website.

Finally (on probably my longest post ever) ... an interesting question posed by Richard. Just what should we be called?

Terry

[Mark Pope]

I agree that there's no particular rush to change the website, although potential new members are likely to get a 'mild' shock if they come out on an Amblers' ride.  I can always put the average speed as well as the distance on the weekly club run thread, although it probably is as good a time as any to update the page. Richard's comment about the group name is an interesting one. The 'Amblers' is a friendly, inclusive sounding name that attracted me to the group when I first joined the Club, but the core group have got stronger and the rides now rarely resemble an amble (although we still usually average 15-16 mph). The true Amblers' rides now seem take place during the week, when we do tend to have a pleasant chat-filled amble around the Vale of Glamorgan.

 Knowing the aspirations of many of the current Amblers, perhaps we should now be called the 'Chasers'!  Now is that a starter for 10 or what!

Mark

[Terry A]

Haha, now there's a neat thought :- Pacers ; Chasers ;  and .... over to Ron for something that rhymes and is apt for the group.

Terry.

[Teresa]

The website can be changed very quickly - just give me some current averages and mileage to start with and the rest can be added later.
25'ers =
Amblers =
Pacers =

[Mark Pope]

Hi Theresa,

The Amblers' average speed is 15-16 mph. That's remained pretty constant for the last couple of years so that's fine to add to the website. The distance has also ranged between 45-60 miles (except in really bad weather), so you can add that to the Amblers piece too. Sorry I hadn't meant to make extra work for you .

Mark

[Andy H]

Without looking at 'Garmin' stats I'd guess Pacers average would be 16-18 and distance 50-70

[ron b]

I have been looking at the old OVW web site which Teresa had to change in 2013 and the speed was a little higher then, as for the name, just leave it as it is. It would be polite and democratic to discuss this at Coity even if not in a full meeting.

[Teresa]

Website updated.

Thanks, Mark. Still on R&R, so no problem at all.

Would be good to hear some alternatives names - even if a final decision may happen more officially.

Maybe something as simple as

Beginners
Intermediate
Experienced

Although I like 'The Chasers'

[xrayspecs]

Mulling through the options for things ending in ers; like my kids homework.
Racers pacers and chasers.
Then I got desparate and couldn't get wasters out of my head!!

[RichardB]

Pacers, Chasers and Boasters Coasters