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How slack do we look as stakeholders?


ChopStiR's picture

By ChopStiR - Posted on 13 April 2014

NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.

On Saturday (12-4-14) the Blue Mountains Off Road Cyclists held a Volunteer day on the Oaks single track. This was supported by National Parks and Synergy.
How slack do we as Mountain Bikers look when only 3 volunteers turn up to a track day for thee most popular track in the Blue Mountains and one of the most popular tracks in all of surrounding Sydney.
We were out numbered with National Parks supplying 4 staff and Synergy supplying 3 staff. We saw 40+ Riders pass us on the day while we where working on the new construction. This trail can see 100+ riders nearly every weekend! As stake holders we quite frankly looked pathetic and showed little care for our sport.

The 3 of us that attended the day felt so ashamed.

The way I feel right now is if you have never attended a volunteer track day before, you don't deserve the bike you ride.
I'm sure there's a lot of excuses like I'm an out of towner. But if you ride the tracks that do have volunteer days and you find the time to get out for a ride almost every weekend, then those excuses don't quite cut it.

Sorry if I'm offending anyone, I'm passionate about mountain biking and very upset to see a trail that gets thousands of visitors only have 3 turn up to maintain it.

I'm hoping some of you can share some words of wisdom and others have a deep look at yourselves.

Sad
Tim

Rob's picture

Well said.

Sad

kitttheknightrider's picture

I remember a time when I was the only one that showed up to the Manly volunteer days for about 3 months in a row, then they stopped holding them........and how long did it take to get them back?

Poor effort.

I have to ask did those 40+ riders pass you on the revamped, as yet unopened single track?

ChopStiR's picture

No, they where on the road. But we could see them all.

Matt P's picture

That does sound like a poor turnout but how was the day publicised?

I didn't notice it on this site (or others) but then I wouldn't be looking for it as I don't ride that track.

I am however active in the Menai trail building and that does get good publicity on Rotorburn, Facebook and a group email. Occasionally I will put some notes up here. Perhaps a different approach that better engages riders might yield better results? Is there a FB page that you could link to that shows the work proposed / done and maybe even some video footage of the new trail? Frequent updates will help to keep the trail more at the front of people's minds.

The other thing to consider is that perhaps not everybody accesses the media where you have been publicising the build day. Ive noticed that FB private groups for riders are becoming increasingly popular and I would guess that these will continue to do so. There are also those who simply don't like using forums but who still ride regularly.

Out of interest, how many active members are in BMORC? Was there any indication from them leading up to the build?

But all of that aside, you will always have a number of people who are lazy and will always assume that someone else will do the hard work and that rules don't apply to them. Unfortunately you will get that in just about every sport. Dregs come in all forms...

Rob's picture

Well... this was on the front page of BMORC and NoBMoB for a long time. Under the 'Next Advocacy/Build Events' block.

Perhaps a 'Remember to come building' news post a few days before might have helped, but it's really no excuse that people will say, "I didn't know".

Matt P's picture

I think the reminders are always a good idea. And if you can further sweeten it with a BBQ, sponsorship by a local business etc you increase the chance of a greater turnout.

I don't use the BMORC site however I when I come to this site, I always go straight to the recent posts section. Perhaps thats why I wouldn't have been aware of it.

What Im getting at is that perhaps the method of engagement needs to be changed? Was there a mention made in all Blue Mountain bike shops, sports shops, NPWS offices and website? Perhaps even a sign at the start and finish of the trail?

trickbooter's picture

I road the Oaks on the 12th for the first time. I followed the Fat Hippie instructions and was oblivious to this volunteer day. I must have been one of the 100+ although I can't recall seeing any trail diggers as I rode.

Put me down for a maintenance day in the future. I am without a car which probably doesn't help but I would be happy to help where possible on a dig day.

Paul

ChopStiR's picture

The event was advretised on BMORC and NOBMOB. It was also shared on the BMORC facebook page, WSMTB facebook page and a Blue Mountains private facebook page.

I woyld also like to point out that BMORC is not a club and does not have members. BMORC is a means to bring local riders together to help work for a better cause.

On the subject of Advertisement, we have an Oaks rake and ride the new single track day coming up. It will be an easy day with only rakes needed. Synergy are filming a promo video and want a big turn out. They want to see all skill levels of riders and we are encouraging out of towners to cone join us. Bring your partner, kids and there bikes.

This is also a crucial day for attendance as we need to show national parks we care. The future of mountain biking in the Blue Mountains and National parks across NSW will be affected by the success or failure of this new section of track.

The invertation is open, so please bring your family and make a day out of it.

ChopStiR's picture

All good Trickbooter. You wouldn't have seen us as we where in the construction area while most likely you would have passed by on the road. There was a good 5-10m of bush between us.

The comment of the 40+ on the day was just a observation that there was plenty of riders in the area and available on the day. It was not expected of them to stop and help.

We would love to see you at our next track day.

- - -

edit: To add to my above post, the next build day has already been advertised on Rotorburn by another Blue Mountains Local.

Andy Bloot's picture

It is important to comment on the thread closer to the day
This brings it to the top of the 'my unseen' which is where I (and many others) go

Tim, I actually found out from Vince on the Friday before who found out from riding with Chuck
So I think it's important to 'advertise' it in more places as Matt said, and bump it up as we get closer
When I first read about it, I heard no more and was wondering when it would be ready to ride

I reckon a few photo's of work so far to get a bit of excitement going as well
Do we have any?

I reckon a flyer at Blackman's and any other bike shops in Penrith
I'll do the same at Bikeminded up here

I'll bump up the threads on rotorburn and my own thread on facebook as we get closer
I'm sure we can improve on 3

ChopStiR's picture

Cheers Andy, If your drawing up a flyer can you share it via email?

I beleive the last event thread should have bumped close to the date as we had Wes and Char both give notice of their inability to attend.

Tim

Chuck's picture

It was a poor effort on the day, and I felt a little embarrassed more than anything. That said, I have learnt a lot about volunteers over the years to know that this can and will happen at times. Such is life, let's move on to the next day.

Hope to see you there!

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