Just wanted to chime in here because I feel like this post has taken a turn towards membership specifically and that's really not what this post was originally about. The intent of the post was to get the word out about all the different needs that the chapter has and point out all the different ways in which you can get involved. If you want to be a member that is awesome and certainly very much appreciated but if you don't want to be a member for whatever reason that is OK too. You don't have to be a member. That's not what this post was about. This post is about engagement. Its about getting more people actively engaged. 

Membership is one of the ways that you can engage but it's not the only one. You can show your support for the chapter in any number of different ways and any and all support is appreciated in whatever form you chose to give it. Maybe you want to be a member, maybe you want to make a donation, maybe you want to do trail work, maybe you want to show up at our events and have a fun time, maybe you want to say nice things about us to your friends and on social media, maybe you want to help with some of the areas I originally posted about......whatever you feel comfortable with and whatever you are able to do. We appreciate the support. I appreciate you and so does the rest of the board.

This sounds silly, but why not make the forum only open to member? Non members can get trail status, club news, beginners corner, and workday sections only. Members get access to everything else. This is how many other organizations structure their online forums.

Wears my bike wrote on 05/01/17 at 11:11am:


I also think this is a good idea... especially Marketplace.

Tom F wrote on 05/01/17 at 3:31pm:


I do agree

First off I would like to thank all of you who make our incredible network of trails possible. We are truly blessed to have such a diverse and well maintained system of trails. Your efforts are appreciated and recognized. 

I have been reading this thread and earlier noted some discussions about the club hosting time trials or races.  Think this could be an interesting option to get people involved especially if targeted towards beginners and kids. I know there are several very well run events in the area - I.E. The Charlotte Summer Series - but having participated in a few I've noticed that these tend to be pretty intense and would probabally discourage a new rider. I think that a well run low intensity event or two in the course of the year could be a great opportunity to draw new folks into the sport in general and the Club in particular.  In fact it would be a logical feeder to the more advanced racing and riding opportunities we currently enjoy. A good example of this would be the "fun-Enduro" event just held at Tuckfest but targeted to a beginner or intermediate rider level. 

Another opportunity to get Club members together might be to have some of the better riders put on some clinics at their local trail on some of the more difficult sections. I do an ok job getting around the technical stuff but I know there are better ways to get through any given section of trails and would love the opportunity to share ideas on different lines and techniques with other members. Events could rotate to various trails throughout the year and would give riders an opportunity to try new trails too. 

I was also wondering if we can get more involved in the Cyclo Fest event over at the WWC. I took a buddy of mine to last years event and it really got him excited about riding. Unsure how that would work but it's a very high class event that would be good to be associated with. 

I know the issue of insurance has been raised as a barrier to some of these types of ideas but is their a way that we can think outside the box regarding that? I think US Cycling has event related insurance programs. Maybe we could utilize that as a source of coverage. Or how about reaching out to the various Parks and Rec departments and having them nominally in charge of the event with the Club as a sub contractor supplying the labor?  Not sure if that would transfer the liability but it might be something to consider. 

Hope I haven't run on too long here but I think it's an interesting topic and got me thinking. To sum it up I think our challenge in developing our membership will be to find ways to take what is generally a individualistic sport and find ways to package the experience in a way that we can enjoy it as a group.  

Emily, I'm new here but could potentially help with Marketing / Merchandising. Happy to talk if you still have a need. Jim - jimlozier@me.com