MeetUp: 1 Year Reflection

MeetUp: 1 Year Reflection

MeetUp: 1 Year Reflection

MeetUp: 1 Year ReflectionIt is hard to believe that one year ago, I nervously decided to jump into the MeetUp world to start my own bicycle touring MeetUp group. This would be the first MeetUp group I’d start without ever even attending any other MeetUp events prior. I started the Los Angeles Self Supported Bicycle Touring MeetUp Group because there wasn’t anything like this in all of Greater Los Angeles. Like they say, “Be the change.” Before I start this minor analysis, let us run through some numbers.

Group Shot at our first MeetUp

MeetUp Stats for the Year

As of today, here is what this little group has accomplished:

  • 38 active members.
  • 177 inactive members.
  • $2 per month to join with the first month free.
  • There have been 12 MeetUps with 2 more remaining for the month of December.
  • 9 out of the 12 MeetUps included a bicycle tour.
  • 74 members attended the 12 MeetUps.
  • We’ve visited up and down the coast from as far north as San Luis Obispo to as far south as San Diego.

Group shot at San Elijo State Beach MeetUp

What Works

Coming into this, I only wanted serious people to participate in these bicycle tours, so I implemented a monetary commitment –  a $2 per month membership fee. After all, money is a driving motivation for many people.  That actually turned out to be the right move as my core membership, who actually attended my rides, are the ones paying. The other ones have either paid one month and left, or have let their membership lapse after the first free trial month. The membership fee helps pay the cost of running this MeetUp, which is about $120 for 50 active members.

The second thing that most people seem to like are the overnight trips. Specifically, trips that allow them to ride to a destination (40 miles max), spend the night camping, and then ride back.  Those trips have seen attendance spike up to over 10 riders, while trips that span multiple days were lightly attended.

Sunset at Leo Carrillo - October MeetUp

Sunset at Leo Carrillo

What Does Not Work

As I alluded to it in the previous section, long trips that require people to carve out time to tour seem to fail miserably. I have to admit that I am prematurely basing this on the fact that San Luis Obispo was shot down once as a potential trip, and the recent trip last month was lightly attended with just 3 of us.

Another barrier that seem to come up every time is the traveling required to get to a certain destination. Most folks live in San Diego and Orange County, so to travel up to places like San Luis Obispo or Santa Barbara would cost considerably by train. Many people would carpool, but only if the parking situation was sorted ahead of time. I have to make sure that wherever we meet, there is always going to be overnight parking available.

Stopping at the Duke - July MeetUp

Changes

As with anything in life, things will change, so I’m thinking about doing the following things:

  1. Plan out the entire year so people know what to expect.
  2. Do more overnight trips or have cars at both start and end points to shuttle people back after longer one-way trips.
  3. Repeat successful trips from the past, like Ojai and Catalina Island.
  4. Perhaps make the trips more seasonal. Maybe we just do trips during Spring, Summer, and Fall season. Winter season may be too cold for people to commit.
  5. Have more off-road types of trips (bike packing). Catalina will definitely be one, but we may combine efforts with other groups to have more of those types of riding.

The new bike path in Ventura - May MeetUp

Final Thoughts

I am very grateful that this MeetUp group has worked out very well. I look to make these adjustments and grow the MeetUp’s core group of riders more, so that I can truly share my love of bicycle touring with them. It is hard to find people who enjoy bicycle touring in Los Angeles, and I can’t believe I have been so lucky to continue to meet awesome individuals through the trips that I organize.

What do you think about my MeetUp? Do you think the changes will help grow my group? Are you a member? If so, what do you like or dislike about my MeetUps? Please share in comments below!

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