Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Very well put, Jonni!
Laney

Jonni wrote:
> Well, I know as I send out this little note, those that NEED to consider 
> what I am about to say, most likely are not going to read it. But, maybe 
> the rest of us can say something to a rider next time we see them 
> treating volunteers poorly at a ride. This has been said time and time 
> again, but still, some riders don't get it.
>  
> At the doctors office today, a man asked if I rode the rides, as he 
> pointed at my ride shirt I was wearing from a local AERC ride that is 
> put on each year. I said yes, and he said he volunteered a couple years 
> ago, and will NEVER do it again, as the riders were nasty towards him. I 
> inquired a bit more, and he said he was an in timer, and that it was his 
> first time volunteering. He had a very experienced helper, who happened 
> to step away for a moment, just as the first 50 mile "racers" came in, 
> and they were riding in a group. Overwhelmed, and I'm sure doing the 
> best he could, to get things straight, the riders became rude as he was 
> not fast enough getting them their times. He said that the 25 milers 
> were very nice, and much more relaxed, and friendly, but for the most 
> part, the 50 milers were an overly competitive stressed out group, that 
> were NOT nice.
>  
> It is sad that ones first time coming out to volunteer at a ride will 
> turn them off to the sport. He even mentioned he avoids riding on the 
> day of the ride on those trails, as he just does not want to deal with 
> "endurance riders"......
>  
> So, as I said, since those who are often a bit rude and nasty towards 
> the volunteers etc. probably won't read this, and if they do, won't 
> recognize that it is THEM I speak of, at the next ride, if you hear a 
> rider getting testy with a volunteer who may just be doing the best they 
> can, mention it to them, that without volunteers, we won't have rides. 
> For all of our normal  rides across the nation every weekend, it is not 
> like y'all are racing for some grand prize of prizes.  Take a deep 
> breath, and deal with it if you have someone new helping at a check 
> point. Thank them for being there. Just think, if they have a good day, 
> they will come back to do it again, and will be even more experienced!
>  
>  
> Jonni


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