JohnW wrote:what's been lost?...............different things to different people. For me, the knowledge that on Sundays we'd meet different groups of members from different areas, no arrangements, ships that pass in the night, cheery waves and a camaraderie. Standard rides, 50miles to 240 miles, nice and gentle, we'd meet members from other sections who we'd seen last year, friends - almost family. DAs (District Associations, not haircuts
) under whose wing sections met and rode together; some years one section was strong and another weak, and other years it was the other way around, and friends from different but adjacent areas were organising events for each other and this was all part of our national ethos.
I recognise all of that from the past year, maybe it's a regional thing, I don't know. Some of the names have changed, my DA is now a Formal Member Group and the Sections are now Informal Member Groups, but as far as I can see the cycling is pretty much as its always been. In the last few months I've been to the Golden Beeches Weekend organised by South Bucks CTC, Leic CTC's Carol Service, Belton Mince Pie Run organised by East Midlands CTC, Audax rides run by three different CTC groups. Managed to add a few more points to my BCQ tally. Went to the members get together in Manchester, interesting and entertaining and saw the trophies for the various competitions awarded. That's not including those events organised by my local group, a ride most weeks, the Hill Climb and Freewheel Competition, a ride to the coast with transport back, the AGM lunch and a couple of Christmas dinners.
Nearly all of this stuff is organised by members, volunteers putting in the time, effort and enthusiasm, this has always been the case, always will be. National Office should support such action, advertise it, celebrate it, encourage it, fund it when needed, offer advice if asked for. It isn’t going to run it, I doubt it ever has, or ever will. My experience is that there is more support for local groups now than in the recent past and I welcome it.
The York Rally - a very major event - really attracting fellow members and comrades from around the country (and beyond) - it had to be experienced to be appreciated, but for various reasons (some possibly legitimate) it lost the support of the hierarchy (ironically, an independent group have restarted York Rally with some success, but the decision makers among CUK hierarchy show spite by supporting another national event on the same weekend).
I don’t know the history of York Rally, I went most years till it’s demise, TBH it always looked in danger of failing. I went because it was a nice ride, a place to meet folk, pick up some bargains and I enjoyed the service and parade. I understand in latter years it was run by a Member Group rather than centrally, I don’t know how long that had been the case. I suspect there were differences between what that MG and CTC wanted the event to be. There must have been some failure there between the two for it to come to an end, but I don’t know what that was. I’m glad it’s been resurrected, I’ve been both times and look forward to being there this year.
A members' handbook listing cafes, B&Bs, hotels and emergency help for members touring. The BCTC............... The Touring Advice Officer - along with the Technical Officer, who really was such a boon...............I could go on.........
Touring Officer – I’m sure there was a time when having someone gathering information to pass on was a huge benefit to the CTC. But IMO that was before my time, I sent off for a copy of the CTC E2E pack, but half an hour on the internet produced far better results. We live in an information age, if I can’t find something out for myself, I can find someone who can. IMO this is now a redundant role.
Technical Officer – Of all the decisions made in recent years, this one I just can’t understand. For an organisation proclaiming to be the Cyclists’ Champion not to have someone with technical expertise representing them on technical matters makes no sense to me.
I don’t think I’ll have anything to add to the subject after this post, though I’m not sure this is a thread within a thread. There are differences in peoples perceptions about what we have now and understanding those may influence someones decision whether to join or not. But it’s less than £3 a month and after a year they’ll have a better idea and can make their own mind up.
