Re: 1999 Rule Change Proposal

[Teddy Lancaster <Teddy@runningbear.com>]

I don't have time to ride much anymore...even for an LD ride, so sometimes I
drag ride a loop...does that make me eligable to pay a non-member fee?

Think about it...this is just the start.  I am not against LD rides or
non-member fees, but SOMEWHERE there has to be a way to ride for fun and
relaxation with good people in a safe situation without having to pay
someone to keep track of me, my miles, etc.  I will gladly pay for
well-marked trails, vets on the grounds, good campgrounds, the company of
good people, etc....

Hell, I'm, fighting my own US Forest about user fees.  I bought my farm so I
could ride HERE instead of somewhere else. They don't even maintain them
(chased us "volunteer trail clearers" off years ago).

Listen up people, we are NO LONGER the land of the free....what the heck
have we been paying taxes for?  To line the seats of congressmens' butts?

Private flaming, please (objectivists preferred)

Teddy


Flemmer, Linda wrote:

> Thanks for the feedback, Heidi.
>
>  I spoke with my husband abou the subject over lunch.  He was aghast
> that AERC was getting into the "pleasure ride business", so to speak.
> The organization is the American Endurance .....  We developed a club in
> the Tidewater, VA area (Norfolk & surrounds) some years ago.  We went
> from endurance riders + a few new folks to a LOT of pleasure riders who
> wanted to learn CTR & endurance + a few endurance riders, to virtually
> all pleasure riders.  The focus of the club changed dramatically (and
> rightfully but sadly so - the majority ruled & that was pleasure
> riders).  Would that happen to AERC?  The resources to track that many
> folks can become overwhelming, even if there is more income from the few
> who decide to join.  There will always be as many or more who try LD and
> decide it isn't for them.
>
> I like the idea (was it your ride, Heidi?) that allows the riders to
> sign up for LD and pull at the mid point for a "pleasure" completion.
> It solves the bigger problem without redefining what AERC stands for
> through changes in the bylaws.  Perhaps that could be a simple rule
> change (to officially allow such an occurrence, or to suggest it to ride
> managers).  The "pleasure completion" would not be recorded against
> their lifetime LD miles, but it would offer a sense of accomplishment.
> Perhaps they'll be back to finish the next time.  (Remember DIMR? -
> maybe a milder form is LDIMR   Limited Distance Induced Mental
> Retardation)  Catch them while they're still groggy & sign them up for
> the next ride while they're still in your clutches!!
>
> Linda Flemmer