Gerard Deeley

I will be there, boasting about how my hangover is worse than everyone else’s, that way I do not need to try too hard on the hills.

Meeting at the clubrooms at 0930 for a ride to somewhere or other and back round with a stop for cake (other food groups available).

This is interesting reading, very much on the pulse.  We are a great club with lots going on and this needs to be communicated, it is why we are members.  We all love cycling and we are busy people (so many Strava segments) and this will always have people collectively seeking convenience. Right now I use a WhatsApp group to organise my Tuesday runs, it works well.  But I have become aware that it is not in the spirit of the club so I will be posting my runs back on the Bunch as well, where all club members can view and participate.  I am open to progress in the future, if needed, so let’s have the discussion to find out what people feel they need to get the most from the club.

This is interesting reading, very much on the pulse.  We are a great club with lots going on and this needs to be communicated, it is why we are members.  We all love cycling and we are busy people (so many Strava segments) and this will always have people collectively seeking convenience. Right now I use a WhatsApp group to organise my Tuesday runs, it works well.  But I have become aware that it is not in the spirit of the club so I will be posting my runs back on the Bunch as well, where all club members can view and participate.  I am open to progress in the future, if needed, so let’s have the discussion to find out what people feel they need to get the most from the club.

This is interesting reading, very much on the pulse.  We are a great club with lots going on and this needs to be communicated, it is why we are members.  We all love cycling and we are busy people (so many Strava segments) and this will always have people collectively seeking convenience. Right now I use a WhatsApp group to organise my Tuesday runs, it works well.  But I have become aware that it is not in the spirit of the club so I will be posting my runs back on the Bunch as well, where all club members can view and participate.  I am open to progress in the future, if needed, so let’s have the discussion to find out what people feel they need to get the most from the club.

This is interesting reading, very much on the pulse.  We are a great club with lots going on and this needs to be communicated, it is why we are members.  We all love cycling and we are busy people (so many Strava segments) and this will always have people collectively seeking convenience. Right now I use a WhatsApp group to organise my Tuesday runs, it works well.  But I have become aware that it is not in the spirit of the club so I will be posting my runs back on the Bunch as well, where all club members can view and participate.  I am open to progress in the future, if needed, so let’s have the discussion to find out what people feel they need to get the most from the club.

This is interesting reading, very much on the pulse.  We are a great club with lots going on and this needs to be communicated, it is why we are members.  We all love cycling and we are busy people (so many Strava segments) and this will always have people collectively seeking convenience. Right now I use a WhatsApp group to organise my Tuesday runs, it works well.  But I have become aware that it is not in the spirit of the club so I will be posting my runs back on the Bunch as well, where all club members can view and participate.  I am open to progress in the future, if needed, so let’s have the discussion to find out what people feel they need to get the most from the club.

Not sure where feedback for the whatsapp proposal is to go. But here is mine.
Personally i'd be reluctant for things to move to whatapp for a couple of reasons. First,  large whatsapp groups can quickly become overwhelming (a bit like a chaingang!) and the messages with relevant content (in this case details of the club ride) often get lost. Second  it is also not good for prospective members wanting to see what is happening with the club. Even if they are not yet signed up many will still read the forum before deciding to come out on a ride, if the club rides are organised and discussed in private then it excludes those not already in the group from participating (even if just as an observer at the beginning).
Perhaps if an information group could be set up so only those who are admins can send messages then it might work out better? The messages would then include the details of the weeks ride (route, where and when to meet) but with discussion about it then being directed towards the bunch forum.
 

I’m in agreement with the above comments. Specifically:
1. I don’t personally have a problem with ‘The Bunch’. It works fine. The pre-2.0 version was a bit poor, but the newer 2.0 version is fine. I have the shortcut on my phone screen and it is very easy to connect . It is not great for fancy stuff such as sharing files,  but that has improved as well, but for messages it is great. 

2. Not everyone has FB and not everyone uses WhatsApp, either.

3. I personally would rather not have stuff pushed to my phone from FB or WA. What is hard about looking at the forum, or posting up there?

4. Having said all that, I am not ‘opposed’ to change, it is just that I don’t think there is a problem.
 

I think a WhatsApp group would only work for those who regularly post rides, just to agree a route and leaving time (not to say no one else can post a run, of course they can, this is just for club runs) Then the agreed route gets posted on The Bunch and linked to from the club's social media, so the main place for anyone to check for a ride will still be The Bunch (not everyone has FB, insta, twitter - some people don't even have Strava lol) so this is still the best place to check.

I asked that people write to me so I could take to committee but am delighted to see it here too.
What is hard about looking at the forum, or posting up there?
I don't know but lots of people don't do it. Wishing it won't help. They look at stuff sent to them, that's how every ad campaign works. They don't browse forums to find out what to do.
I spoke to about twenty people at prize-giving and they all thought the Forum was not the best way of telling people what is going on. I am but a mere servant of the club members and agreed that we need to look at this more closely.
My email was not a WhatsApp proposal, it was really a request for ideas to help publicise rides rather than have people look for them. I chose WhatsApp as an example, other media messaging services are available.
As Membership Secy I receive lots of requests from new members who cannot work out where the info is on the bunch. For me it is difficult to use from a phone and most importantly the Bunch is passive and does not alert people to rides and events.
For instance the Prize-giving was initially buried in Announcements. Confirmed attendance at the prize-giving doubled in 24 hours after we circulated an email to all members. I'll bet this thread is only seen by a few people, most will never look for it because it is an unknown unknown.
Please post here, write privately to me or, better, come to committee meeting to discuss if you think there is a problem and, if so, how to fix it. And let me know if you can help.
Personal view: If there is no problem then we can continue with a passive Forum based on 15yo tech.  I think that's a mistake. I know that many club members are in a lot of other media groups and receive a LOT of ride notifications so I think JWCC should be one of them.
Alan
Secretary
 

Splendid farmwatch exploration of the shire with Boyd, Fiona, Karen, Elaine and I. We have been feeding alpacas and herding sheep. And riding bikes. 

Amaretto, 0945 for an undulating cycle out to Lochwinnoch and the roads around Barcraigs reservoir to Howwood and back to BoW.   I have no plans to be lairy after falling on Friday.

Greenock Road from the Red Smiddy has been closed today, that may affect your plans.

Gerard, 1900hrs but suggest you arrive early to put in your curry order.

Really was a spectacular day... the weather and scenery were incredible, the food, ooft… Fillet steak wraps from Gerrard, Cullen Skink soup from Graham, Haggis n Scallops from Kenny Christie washed down with a lovely Merlot by AlanT and completed by a few pints in the Bishy Inn… 4 months of roon the coast to look forward to now, happy days

Fabulous day out after recovering from my wrecked tyre. Cheers to Greg for towing me round to the 10.30 ferry.

Glorious autumnal sunshine in stunning Argyll scenery with a campfire, food, drink and the company of your cycling friends.  There really is nothing better.

Yeah cracking day...would thoroughly recommend the off road route for anyone with a cx/gravel or mountain bike. Scotland at its very best in terms of scenery

Hope I haven't made the same as you 😁

Menu sorted for tomorrow, baking done, bike packed.  I will have enough to share.  Bring your own coffee cup.

I feel somewhat under pressure.  I should be there.

I feel somewhat under pressure.  I should be there.

I feel somewhat under pressure.  I should be there.