I haven’t ridden with any BCSB members yet but I have been reading all the threads regarding upcoming rides. I have ridden with many groups in the past and I have this suggestion regarding meeting places. You need to have only one or maybe two meeting places at the most. Gas stations are preferred because of the open space and most people need to fill up or check their tires. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to get a group of riders coming from all areas to meet up at different places. One guy will inevitably be late, which will cause the whole group to be late with their rendezvous with another group. And of course, one BCSB members friend’s friend will want to come too and he’ll cause the entire group to sidetrack to another meeting place and so on and so on. I have experienced with this exact scenario and have spent more time waiting than riding.
So far it seems like the group rides are quite organized but once the weather turns really nice, expect to see 30 or more bikes at a BCSB ride. The group I generally ride with always meet at the Chevron station on Boundary road (Burnaby side) just north of Grandview Highway. This place offers a central location for riders coming from most Lower Mainland areas and it is very accessible. It also offers a central location from which to start the rides from. There is no other meeting place.
Regarding meeting times, the meeting time should be the departure time. If you want to spend some time talking about bikes with your fellow riders, then show up EARLY. Having a departure time reinforces to everybody not to come late and it allows for much easier scheduling. You snooze you lose. Also having a departure time allows one large group to meet up with the next large group (should you have to do this).
I hope this helps everybody.
So far it seems like the group rides are quite organized but once the weather turns really nice, expect to see 30 or more bikes at a BCSB ride. The group I generally ride with always meet at the Chevron station on Boundary road (Burnaby side) just north of Grandview Highway. This place offers a central location for riders coming from most Lower Mainland areas and it is very accessible. It also offers a central location from which to start the rides from. There is no other meeting place.
Regarding meeting times, the meeting time should be the departure time. If you want to spend some time talking about bikes with your fellow riders, then show up EARLY. Having a departure time reinforces to everybody not to come late and it allows for much easier scheduling. You snooze you lose. Also having a departure time allows one large group to meet up with the next large group (should you have to do this).
I hope this helps everybody.