The Wild GeeseThe Wild Geese Motorcycle Club
- This is something new for the Wild Geese website, a discussion page. It's like the news page but sorted with the oldest entry first, the newest entry last.
- To have fun and socialise.
- Is a LOOSELY put together club which is not official and has no constitution to govern it. (This is a big attraction).
- Has no rules and ownership by any individual or group.
- Every individual has the choice to participate in activities, rides or social events .
- A forum for personal agendas
- A place to moralise on individual's personal values and lives
- Is not a platform to voice political, cultural or religious beliefs
There's dissent in the ranks and change is afoot !
This is my understanding of what the WGMC is all about :
Above all, to ride motorbikes and share the stories that are generated from this great activity
On the other hand this is my understanding of what the WGMC is not:
There seems to be quite a strong reaction to the events of last Sunday which, in essence, was a change to what normally happens on a Sunday.
Quite a few turned up for the usual get together and a decision was made for those who preferred to join in to break from the tradition of coffee and breakfast before a ride and head off to a different location.
To those members who were affected by the change of plan I sincerely feel sorry. I do have empathy for the fact that sometimes plans are made and changes come along and those plans are messed up. No one likes that and to some degree those who were affected have some cause for discontent.
However if you were really upset and have reacted very strongly to the events of last Sunday , I suggest that you maybe taking too much ownership of what is not yours or for that matter anyone else's and that is The WGMC.
Most bikers by the very nature of Motorbike riding, tend to be strong individuals and therefore have definite opinions and view points usually with a good splash of ego. Whilst these traits make for interesting people they can also be a bit of a problem when it comes to reaching consensus on various aspects of running a club even a loosely put together one like the WGMC.
Based on the above, all clubs have their ups and downs and as long as there's humans involved, there will always be the odd rift and disagreement. It comes with the territory and people should try to not get too upset about it.
The debate within the WGMC from the very start has been Socialise Vs Ride. Whilst we meet at ANY venue that provides seating with food and beverages the tendency will be (and it's only natural) to socialise and catch up with our riding buddies.
The down side of this is that riding tends to be left out or given a later time slot which shortens the actually riding time in a day.
A suggestion is that we, like other motorbiking groups, meet at a designated NEUTRAL gathering place, like a service station and from there, ride to the first stop for a coffee or something to eat.
Another suggestion is that we utilise the Web site that Gizmo so very kindly maintains and funds, to announce preferences for rides to come. The majority of folk have access to internet these days so this medium should not be a problem and for those who do, a call from a riding buddy can be the answer.
And maybe for those that have a need to know of a destination in advance, a monthly roster of set places can be drawn up to accommodate these needs.
The next step is to use our really good communication skills putting our egos and personal agendas aside and come up with a change that will accommodate the majority of WGMC punters.
This can be done, it's not that difficult!
Chau for Nau
~ Steve
- Here To Ride, Not To Socialise" & "Here to Enjoy, Not To Annoy
Greetings One & All,
Firstly, I would like to thank JAG for his balanced & sincere comments which I feel go to the heart of the matter.
As most will surely know by now, there has been some angst & discontent on the direction that the Wild Geese MC has taken over the past while. The days when we would just meet somewhere & "Flock Off" for coffee or brekkie at some isolated cafe in the hills with a great ride before & a follow up one on the way home have faded somewhat, replaced by a tendency to ride less, talk more.
This has been fine for the time but there is now discontent and there a some, a growing number, who wish to have a change. Many of our group are recently arrived and have only had a glimpse of our past activities.
One needs only to take the time to look through the web site to see what great rides, journeys & outings, fun & laughs we have had together over the years when our famous mottos were:
I for one, regret the time that I have had to spend securing my future rather than riding every weekend, traveling away on our regular sojourns, watching some others doing just that. One can only do what one can. I have always had our "Club" for want of a better word, to heart & have spent much time over the years putting stuff about our antics up onto the web site for all to enjoy & share.
This web site is a fundamental tool, noticeboard & information source for all our activities, a valuable asset which is often under utilised.
Through the club, friendships have been bonded, (& some strained too) & members have come & gone (some to far off places), but still they have the connection with us all which is an endearing quality of The Wild Geese.
I acknowledge that some are not comfortable in the way that I have sometimes approached certain things. There has been occasion when a plan is embarked on & I have changed direction or purpose mid stream or rather, ride. Many times I have caused some to wait on the roadside whilst I deal with matters relating to my work and for this I apologise but rest assured, the ride has been paramount and we get on with it anyway.
More recently there has been discontent in the choice of our Any Sunday meeting place. The reasons are best referred to those who make those claims but more importantly, because a great deal of time is spent just sitting about from the start until sometimes too late in the morning, there has been growing frustration that our fundamental aim has been blurred. (Read Our Motto)
I hear the cry "But you haven't been there for ages" so what grounds is there for me to comment. I agree, but then why is there still the discontent? I merely try to voice what the consensus says.
If ANYONE has valid & constructive comment about what direction they think or feel The Wild Geese MC should take, here is your chance to put it out there and give everyone the opportunity to hear, understand & contribute to what should be a healthy debate.
We all know that The Wild Geese MC is a refreshing change from "all the rest" & we do enjoy the whole buzz we get from our chosen mode of transport. So do it, get online, comment (with consideration) & clear the air. To my mind, loosing sight of "the ride" would be a tragedy for us all, so Gather, Ride & Flock Off we will.
At the end of the day (more like the beginning), the proof in our conviction will be the number of “Bums On Bikes”.
Sincerely, Rob Lewis
These excerpts are from our Home Page.
The Wild Geese are a multi-national, multi-skilled, multi-lingual, multi-talented, non-political, non-sectarian bunch of bike-loving bikers
'If we have the sense of Geese we will stand by each other, in difficult times as when we are strong'.
Every organisation will, at some time or other, have a few differences of opinion amongst members, but the most important thing is to get on with it and go with the flow because it is no one person's club, but OUR club to enjoy. The alternatives are even more political as a rule. 'Nuff said about the bad stuff. Now let's get on with the fun, eh?
