The Chainlink

Getting a bike club going

What thoughts do you have for a new bicycle club, that is just starting out?

AS far as rides, events, dues, newsletters, meetings, website, anything? Please keep you comments constructive though.Things I have done already..

Meeting location, time and regular date, Business cards, flyers, banner, and working on website, Tee's and jerseys and shorts, events and ride schedule, have 24 members. I put out a quarterly newsletter free, in email. Low dues to join. just $10 bucks. Been at it 3 years. Have small board of directors. Want to grow. I am a reflectional club, so beginning riders can feel comfortable in my club, as well as seasoned riders. But I have been cycling for over 30 years and extensive knowledge about bikes. So what is missing?

Thank you, Rene'

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Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on December 22, 2011 at 12:00pm

I can't say I've got much bike club experience, but I do have an opinion about virtually everything. A quick Google search of bike clubs in northeastern Illinois turns up clubs in Arlington Heights, Libertyville, Rockford, Barrington, Buffalo Grove, Fox Valley, Crystal Lake and Crete. I'm told bicycling continues to grow, but I'd ask myself the questions, how big are these other clubs and  what do these other clubs do? How will my club either complement these existing clubs or offer something different geographically, quantitatively or qualitatively? How big do you want OGBC to be? How active are the 24 members? Is it better to have 240 members, but have the same 24 members show up? Have you joined any of these other clubs and observed how and what they do, or contributed your efforts to their venture? I think the club's identity needs to drive the marketing effort, not the other way around.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on December 24, 2011 at 7:21am

What geographic area are you aiming for?  There are several very large, long-established clubs in various parts of the metro area (Chicago Cycling Club, Evanston Bike Club, Lake County Bike Club, Folks on Spokes, Elmhurst Bike Club, etc.) and many other clubs of various sizes (community or college based), as Kevin mentions.

I'll second Kevin's question: How will my club either complement these existing clubs or offer something different geographically, quantitatively or qualitatively?  I won't repeat all of his questions, but emphasize that they all merit serious thought.

What is your geographic base (regular starting point/ride destinations)?  What identity have you established so far?  How is your club different from other nearby clubs?  Having some distinct identity is helpful in building a small club, such as community affiliation, college affiliation, themed rides, ethnic identity, etc.  WCCC is a good example of a club with a strong identity.

I think that trying to build a club for a wide range of riders is more challenging - and a large geographic area even more so.  Do you have a connection with any local bike shop, which could help you to market the club and attract members?  What kind of turnout do you get on rides?

Take a good look at your membership and at the other clubs out there, and talk with your board about where your club fits into the spectrum and how to better define and market it.

Permalink Reply by Steve Courtright on December 27, 2011 at 10:03am

As a charter member of the Judson ride, which is a training ride for racers and fit friends, I can say that the most important reason that we grew to our current extent (where weekend rides are sometimes >75 riders) is a weekly e-mail to all members.  Our email goes out every Thursday night with the particulars for the upcoming weekend rides, with times and the meeting place.  Also shared is bike news - local race news and international results, current news of interest to riders, and other relevant fun stuff/announcements. 

Permalink Reply by Rene Lawell on January 6, 2012 at 6:23pm

Thank you everyone for some very good comments. I can answer most of your questions and hopefully that will fuel some more answers.


I am affiliated with Village CycleSport in Arlington Heights, but the club is soley my club. They help sponsor Bike clinic I do every summer out at busse woods teaching people how to clean and lube thier bikes, along with tool free safety inspection and getting up close and personal with their bikes. I have done this class for 2 years now, and for the most part it is free. I also do the class to bring awarerness of my club.

I currently have 28 members, and hopefully growing. We are just starting to develop our rides in our area in the NW burbs. I have currently 15 active participants.One of which did the B2B out east this past summer.

My Niche is that I am aiming at both ends of the spectrum entry level riders who have never thought of belonging to a club before and the other end, seasoned riders who prefer a more social aspect to their riding.

As far as miles, we offer the miles, overnight rides, and away rides, along with sponsored rides by other clubs, like Wheeling Wheelman, and Elmhurst bike club, etc rides that take place in our area.

I publich 6 newsletters each year, and we hold monthly meetings, and dues are only $10/member
and I am open to kids too who wanna ride.

My next endevor is website so I can post our ride schedule which has about 30 rides on it for now and growing. The big ride this year will be a 150 ride on rt66 leaving from Dwight, IL, This is an overnight ride.

I want all the members in the club to be aware of events, and grow their cycling life and have a life long lasting relationship with their bike as I have.

We tried a ride in Chicago last summer but the heat killed it, we are going to try again this summer, it is call Tour De Chicago with Jeff! (A chain link member who lives in Chicago and is  member of my club).

Another ride we are going to do is a Tour around lake Geneva WI, we will car there park and ride around the lake. I guess one of my niches is that the smallest mileage I have is 7miles and the biggest mileage I have is what ever you think you can do. 199 miles plus, there is always someone to ride with, and we all start and end at the same place, and we all ride at our own pace.

I hope this help
Thank you!

Rene"


Permalink Reply by Jane Healy on January 7, 2012 at 7:34am

I helped to found the Blue Island Bicycle Club. 

My tips:

1.  Make sure you have lots of folks involved and push to get new people involved.  It is very easy in a small club to have one key person get burned out/move/get sick and the whole thing falls apart.

2.  Have a clear mission.  The BIBC has morphed from a community bike group for adults and seniors to a completely family/kids based club.  It would have been easier if we had this goal from the get-go.

3.  It's not a bad idea to require dues.  I don't.  But I end up having to subsidize mailings, newsletters, etc.  Also, if people pony up some cash, there is a commitment made that makes it more likely that they will support events.

4.  Use online communications!

5.  Have a regular meeting place for rides.  You can do special rides, but you need a regular, weekly/monthly ride that brings folks together and is reliable for folks to count on.

6.  Know your policy about rides:  is it a "no drop" ride?  Is it for training?  Communicate this clearly so all riders know the expectations and can plan accordingly.

7.  Spend some time developing a calendar of at least a few special events that you can promote.  This generates interest and enthusiasm.

www.bibc.us

Permalink Reply by Rene Lawell on January 13, 2012 at 6:02pm

Jane,

Thanks for your reply. I will take all your ideas into consideration.

Some we do now, but you have added a new dimension to my thinking


Thank you!

Rene Lawell

Jane Healy said:

I helped to found the Blue Island Bicycle Club. 

My tips:

1.  Make sure you have lots of folks involved and push to get new people involved.  It is very easy in a small club to have one key person get burned out/move/get sick and the whole thing falls apart.

2.  Have a clear mission.  The BIBC has morphed from a community bike group for adults and seniors to a completely family/kids based club.  It would have been easier if we had this goal from the get-go.

3.  It's not a bad idea to require dues.  I don't.  But I end up having to subsidize mailings, newsletters, etc.  Also, if people pony up some cash, there is a commitment made that makes it more likely that they will support events.

4.  Use online communications!

5.  Have a regular meeting place for rides.  You can do special rides, but you need a regular, weekly/monthly ride that brings folks together and is reliable for folks to count on.

6.  Know your policy about rides:  is it a "no drop" ride?  Is it for training?  Communicate this clearly so all riders know the expectations and can plan accordingly.

7.  Spend some time developing a calendar of at least a few special events that you can promote.  This generates interest and enthusiasm.

www.bibc.us

Permalink Reply by Rene Lawell on January 13, 2012 at 6:07pm

Thank you kevin for your response!
You have some very good ideas, I will take them to my Board of Directors.

I would like to club to grow, and I am trying to lay the structure for a large

group. But no to large. I still want there to be the family ascpect.

I want a club you can bring your kids to ride with, but also days

where it would be just adults. My rides are not pacelines

and we have all levels of riders. I ride for fitness and recreation mostly

I dont race myself. 



Rene'

Kevin C said:

I can't say I've got much bike club experience, but I do have an opinion about virtually everything. A quick Google search of bike clubs in northeastern Illinois turns up clubs in Arlington Heights, Libertyville, Rockford, Barrington, Buffalo Grove, Fox Valley, Crystal Lake and Crete. I'm told bicycling continues to grow, but I'd ask myself the questions, how big are these other clubs and  what do these other clubs do? How will my club either complement these existing clubs or offer something different geographically, quantitatively or qualitatively? How big do you want OGBC to be? How active are the 24 members? Is it better to have 240 members, but have the same 24 members show up? Have you joined any of these other clubs and observed how and what they do, or contributed your efforts to their venture? I think the club's identity needs to drive the marketing effort, not the other way around.

Permalink Reply by Rene Lawell on January 13, 2012 at 7:12pm

Jane,

What is a "No Drop Ride"? I amnew to the term.

Rene'

Jane Healy said:

I helped to found the Blue Island Bicycle Club. 

My tips:

1.  Make sure you have lots of folks involved and push to get new people involved.  It is very easy in a small club to have one key person get burned out/move/get sick and the whole thing falls apart.

2.  Have a clear mission.  The BIBC has morphed from a community bike group for adults and seniors to a completely family/kids based club.  It would have been easier if we had this goal from the get-go.

3.  It's not a bad idea to require dues.  I don't.  But I end up having to subsidize mailings, newsletters, etc.  Also, if people pony up some cash, there is a commitment made that makes it more likely that they will support events.

4.  Use online communications!

5.  Have a regular meeting place for rides.  You can do special rides, but you need a regular, weekly/monthly ride that brings folks together and is reliable for folks to count on.

6.  Know your policy about rides:  is it a "no drop" ride?  Is it for training?  Communicate this clearly so all riders know the expectations and can plan accordingly.

7.  Spend some time developing a calendar of at least a few special events that you can promote.  This generates interest and enthusiasm.

www.bibc.us

Permalink Reply by John S. on January 13, 2012 at 7:28pm

It means no one gets dropped from the ride.  No one gets left alone at the back.  That there's always an experienced club member or members that sweep up and stay with the slowest riders. 

Permalink Reply by Rene Lawell on January 13, 2012 at 7:34pm

Thanks! We always do this but now I have term to use. Thanks!

John S. said:

It means no one gets dropped from the ride.  No one gets left alone at the back.  That there's always an experienced club member or members that sweep up and stay with the slowest riders. 

Permalink Reply by John S. on January 13, 2012 at 7:41pm

You'll also need everyone to sign a waiver.

Here's a sample waiver.  You'll need to contact an attorney to see if something similar would work well for you.

Your Bicycle Club Name Here – RIDE WAIVER

 

ALL RIDERS ASSUME THEIR OWN RISK WHEN PARTICIPATING IN ANY Your Bicycle Club Name Here ORGANIZED RIDE OR EVENT.

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ALL RIDERS HAVE SOME FORM OF MEDICAL INSURANCE BEFORE PARTICIPATING IN ANY Your Bicycle Club Name Here ORGANIZED RIDE OR EVENT. Your Bicycle Club Name Here DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY MEDICAL OR ACCIDENT INSURANCE TO ITS MEMBERS.

 

• All riders will be given a copy of these rules and regulations and are required to sign at

the bottom of the statement. Two (2) copies should be made. One to be:

1- retained by signed rider; 

2- sent to Your Bicycle Club Name Here President at the following address: 

 

President

Your Bicycle Club Name Here 

Main Street

Your Town, Any State Zip

 

• All rider applicants must pay their annual dues (if applicable) at the time they hand in or mail this application or show sufficient proof of payment. Benefits of club membership can be found on the team website on the "Join The Team" section.

 

• These Rules and Regulations will be posted on the Club's website at www.fill in the URL here They are subject to periodic change upon the decision of the Club's Executive Committee. Riders will be subject to any such changes once notice of the changes is posted on the Club's website.

 

THIS IS A LEGAL DOCUMENT. READ IT CAREFULLY. BY SIGNING THIS FORM YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW THESE RULES AND REGULATIONS.  YOU WILL ALSO BE GIVING UP ANY LEGAL RIGHT YOU MAY HAVE TO BRING A LAWSUIT AGAINST Your Bicycle Club Name Here, ITS SPONSORS, MEMBERS, OFFICERS, ATTORNEYS, EMPLOYEES AND MANAGERS.  YOUR SIGNATURE ALSO ACKNOWLEDGES THAT YOU ARE SIGNING THIS DOCUMENT VOLUNTARILY AND OF YOUR OWN FREE WILL AND NOT UNDER COERCION OR DURESS.  YOUR SIGNATURE ALSO ACKNOWLEDGES THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED A COPY OF THESE RULES AND REGULATIONS. 

 

RIDER PRINTED NAME:____________________________________________

RIDER SIGNATURE:______________________________________________________

 

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