Developers,

We need to get the Developers rides going again.  To be blunt, this is
the third or fourth iteration of the Developers, and each time I've
failed to create ride leaders to take up slack when I can't be there,
working late, etc . . .  I'd like that to change, as the Dev ride can
be very helpful, in my opinion, to the general safety of the other
drafting-oriented group rides that people join after their learning
phase.  Nevermind it is hella fun and I have met a lot of my new
favorite GCC members there!

To that end I propose:

1.  We have a mid-town Developers Captain who can regularly meet to
teach and lead riders on South-oriented routes leaving from near
campus/midtown.  This cannot be me, as I am now NW-oriented (although
I may show up on some midtown rides!).  Without a midtown captain, the
Developers South-oriented rides will remain in hiatus indefinitely.

2.  We have a new NW-oriented ride based on requests by members over
the last year.  This shamelessly and selfishly takes advantage of my
new employment in Town of Tioga at a bike shop, but the proposed site
is also next to two coffee shops, a pastry store, a gym, and a running
store.  I should have a bike again in a week or so, so I need some
input about when to do this ride.  It will likely be in the mornings
or on the weekends, as it gets dark too early now for most people to
do an evening ride.  I need your input about when is best.

Remember, the Developers ride is about proactive mentoring of fit
riders who want to learn group safety, etiquette, and eventually
perhaps basic performance tactics.  Our speed limits are slightly
below gliders level, about 18mph, with no racing unless everyone
agrees and is experienced riding together (and yes, even people who
didn't want to "race" sometimes end up liking it, or at the very least
learning about group riding!).  All Dev rides are NO DROP, and
famously free of ego and testosterone (of the male or female kind).
The ideal developers ride captain is an experienced group rider of
Glider level or above with the desire to teach new people, and the
tenacity to politely reel in outliers who disrupt the group
experience.  You will spend the great portion of a ride speaking to
new group riders about etiquette and safety and gently nudging them
into the draft.  Your rewards will be vast, watching young (and not so
young) riders emerge as pacelining, Gliding, and even Flying riders.

If you have interest in being a midtown or NW Developers ride leader,
please email me.  And also let me know when a.m. or weekend times are
good for Dev rides.  We may do a weekend thing in the winter where we
meet with Gliders and leave after they depart.  I'm open to ideas.

BTW, I don't know what Pentatarchs are, I just thought it sounded
tough and Hallooween is coming up.  I do miss all the Developers, and
we will get the rides going again!

James T.
Ersatz Developer's Captain

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