Supporting the Ride_Group and its vote

It is at times like this that I realise how unforgiving politics must be, when those who are genuinely interested in looking after the best interests do everything they can to gauge what is right and acceptable (giving people the opportunity to vote) and then find what they put in place is either no longer acceptable or continually "white anted" by the more vocal.

Let me re-cap on what we've done and why we did it.

Some time ago (before many of our current riders joined us) a number of our members formed a splinter group. There were perhaps a few reasons for that ...one of which was the fact that a number of members wanted to get their ride out of the way earlier and before it got too hot.

When we started approaching the warmer months this year there was some talk of more people who were not so happy to be out in the heat.

We were keen to avoid further splintering of the group so it seemed the only fair way to gauge consensus was to ask Ride_Group members to vote on their preference. The vote was taken, the results were clear and the change was made ....and that really should have been the end of it.

Unfortunately some of our members didn't like the fact that the vote didn't go their way. This hasn't been helped by circumstances in the last couple of weeks where we've had:- 1) A Rider who hadn't bothered to vote re-join us then complain the ride is too early, 2) those who've actually been able to ride preferring the later start.

From those who didn't like the vote result (and even from someone who voted for the 7:30 start and has now changed his mind) we're seeing requests for additional part ways hook up points, to join along the way or arrangements to  meet at the coffee stop instead. This is completely contrary to intent of making a group arrangement and riding together as a group (which is the reason we had the vote in the first place).

Frankly this is a little akin to voting in a political party (that actually delivers on its promises) then white anting it because you've changed your mind or the popular vote doesn't match your own view.

My personal preference would have been to ride even earlier but had the vote been for an 8:00 start I would have accepted the popular vote and supported it.

I've managed the Ride_Group blog from the start and I do my best to gauge opinion and reflect the choices of the group and I normally don't begrudge the time I spend each week trying to keep people informed especially since it gives me the chance to spend time with people I call friends and have high regard for.

If you're going to be part of the group then respect, stand by and support the decisions made by the group. Don't expect my support if you selfishly decide to weaken the group to suit your own differing preference.