Re: [shift] WNBR not all fun and games
Halley Weaver
Regarding is being the "world's largest" - I'm going to make this short. We've ben the largest WNBR for years. Frankly, its not dffifcult. We don't need to try. We don't need to advertise or bring people in.
This year, a documentary avency asked to film us and part of that they put a camera at a choke point so for the first time ever, we are going to be able to get an accurate count so we can actually "prove" that we are the #1 in the world and #2 largest bike ride in Oregon - so while it's not what the ride is about, after all these years to be able to get real solid numbers it's fantastic. I mean, it would be nice is we were like Seattle and only had, what, 150? I could count that at the meet up location.
We just need to make sure we are justifying the $8 thousand+ we spend every year on this event.
We don't think the message is lost of WNBR, maybe just people have heard the same thing for so long, they hyper-focused on the little things like head counts.
It's really your choice whether you participate or not. I'm not here to beg or sway you otherwise. This isn't the early morning voodoo donut ride of pedalpalooza though and can't be "flown by the seat of the pants." We have to have paid security, parade permits, portapotties (that's a health dept issue) trash/recycling bins, rent a meet-up location - a huge commitment for just a few hour event.
I'm really sorry that you've had such a negative reaction to WNBR, but sometimes everything isn't for everybody and that's why Pedalpalooza holds 200+ different events, most "flying off the seat of the pants organizing" for your riding pleasure.
I do sincerely hope you enjoy the rest of your summer, and keep the rubber to the road.
- Halleylujah
I kept this "off list" because I would seem too self absorbed to keep this public! and I don't want to bore people...
I enjoyed Carl's email and Halley's email and found them both compelling...but they seemed to be at odds with each other re expectations of this being a hosted ride.
I'd like to make it clear that I am not complaining about the organizers failing to make this an organized, planned, SAFE ride.
I'd be more inclined to say that you are being a bit over enthusiastic and overly responsible in making this a fun safe ride. Taking on too much responsibility for other peoples welfare.... as Carl said *this is not bridge pedal*
I'm not going to volunteer to help plan and organize this ride. I preferred the barely planned, hosted by seat-of-the-pants, take care of your own shit and your own self and watch out for your brother/sister style rides. I don't need you to look after my clothes, make sure I have water, protect me from oglers, or fix my flat tire. (and I can't fix a flat tire on the fly... But I would not expect you to either... I'd walk home)
But so what...
As Danial pointed out, there are lots of new, excited riders on WNBR. They probably do need "Bridge Pedal" style taking care of. They probably do expect responsible hosts, planned venues and bands and parties and water, and a clothes check, and a police escort etc etc etc. So OK... I get it. I'll shut up. But man, you guys sure do take on a lot of responsibility for this thing. Whew.
Lastly... there WAS much excitement around bringing in and *accommodating* big numbers and much enthusiasm for bragging rights in the competition with the rest of the world for biggest ride... so can we stop pretending that didn't happen?