How to find your people, Cycle Together
When people turn up to a New Forest Off Road club ride, we always ask people how they found out about us. The majority of people answer ‘instagram.’ That’s not ideal.
Reasons why instagram is not a suitable way for NFORC to promote our rides.
61 percent of instagram users are between 18 - 34. We strive for every ride to provide intergenerational hangs. By the majority of people finding out about us through instagram, we’re losing out on the company of the older generations.
We have 5000 followers on instragram. Only 7.5 percent of those followers actually live within 90 minutes of Hampshire. We’re buzzed people follow us from afar, but the majority of people who could ride with us, don’t know how to find us.
We hear, time and time again, from people who have found a community to cycle with, how it has changed their lives. Check out this quote from NFORC community member, Leonie.
“It's difficult to put into words what this group has created and enabled in such a short period of time. For me, being part of this group has meant going on adventures that I only ever looked wistfully upon in other people's Instagram posts. It's meant taking on challenges that I didn't previously think I was capable of. It's meant many a glorious ride in the company of incredible people where previously I rode alone. But most of all it has led to meaningful and lasting connections with people who inspire me daily to do better and be better.”
Ooooof, it gives us all the feels.
We think everyone should have the chance to experience what Leonie has by finding their cycling community.
Currently, it feels like the stars have to be aligned for people to show up to a New Forest Off Road Club ride. They have to 1) Know we exist. 2) Learn when we’re running a ride. 3) Be brave enough to show up to their first ride potentially without hearing any reviews or testimonies from the people who have previously joined us. Not cool. Yes we have a newsletter (sign up here) , and our own website, but you need to know we exist to get involved.
We need an alternative and we are incredibly excited to say that there is.
On the 7th of June, Cycle Together launches.
“Cycle Together is a review platform for all UK cycling clubs and groups, committed to increasing access to cycling for everyone through rich, user-led data and careful moderation.”
Cycle Together will be the most trusted and transparent place for today’s cyclist to research cycling clubs and groups. We are building generous, loving communities of cyclists that are accessible to everybody.
What makes Cycle Together different from other platforms is it’s focus on increasing accessibility. Since day 1, we’ve said New Forest Off Road Club is an inclusive space, but we’ve learnt over time that it’s not our place to say if it is. Cycle Together’s platform will enable people to review The New Forest Off Club. They can tell us what we’re doing well, and what we need to work on.
Add to that, being part of Cycle Togethers’ network of forward thinking community leads who are learning from each other and working to increase access to cycling. We want in!
The New Forest Off Road Club is proud to be a founding member of Cycle Together. We registered as a club (it only takes a few minutes), and we’ve invited our community to review us. This is the first time we’ve invited our members to give us feedback, it’s long overdue and we can’t wait to see what we get back.
The first 100 communities registered will get “Founding member” status. Founding Club status will demonstrate to prospective club cyclists that you were part of the early revolution to increase accessibility to cycling for everyone.”
We’re incredibly excited to see what Cycle Together becomes. Community powered, dedicated to accessibility and an alternative to British Cycling. We’re in, with bells on.
How you can get involved.
Huge thanks to Cycle Together Founder Biola, Babawale for creating a digital space that The New Forest Off Road Club is proud to be. Your vision, tenacity and dedication to increasing accessibility to cycling is truly what the cycling world needs. You’ve made us feel optimistic for the future.
Big shout out to Velociposse, Sad Bois Cycle Club, Peak Gravel Gang, Waldy Wheelers, Steezy Collective, Teacher Peloton for being the first out of the gate to get involved and register your clubs, we like your style.
