It's definitely not just you Joe. I've thought the same thing when looking at the ride calendar in the past. Honestly, the whole AERC website could use a makeover to make it more user-friendly. Web presence is a big deal these days and good organizations should take advantage of that!
I agree that the AERC website could do with a huge overhaul. An attractive, neat design with easily accessible info is a HUGE asset to any company/organization.
I agree with the website overhaul - I mentioned it multiple times in the survey AERC asked its members to fill out this year.
However, the blame for not posting ride locations is misplaced. Again, this is a manager responsibility. When I say "trivial", I meant that there are so many different things AERC is responsible for that it cannot police every individual ride. How is AERC supposed to know that the "Old Mill Road" is actually a road name or if it's just a locally recognized location description? You also mentioned the fliers having good information in other organizations - fliers do NOT fall under the responsibility of the AERC either and are created and distributed by ride managers. Again, that's who you need to be contacting about location issues.
I already explained why the "location" area is often blank, especially for rides scheduled way in advance. The AERC posts the information as soon as it receives it, and location is not required when sanctioning for a ride because the date needs to be determined well before the actual location. If location was required, managers would have to wait longer to sanction their ride, risk losing their date, and ultimately no be able to put the ride on at all. If you want better descriptions about locations, contact the ride manager - that information IS required so that you can ask them any questions you need to, including location details and directions. I don't know how many times I can say that the AERC is not responsible for the ride details, but rather posting the information they are provided by the ride managers.
Anyway, this isn't even the point of this thread. Bottom line is that endurance riders need to step up and do their best to support one another in this sport and let others know about it so that we can keep our sport healthy. Most veteran riders already do that, and I personally feel the need to pass that charity on. Part of being an endurance rider is joining AERC and letting their fellow riders know about joining it as well. Without the AERC, even with any flaws, this sport would not be possible.
And the first thing a potential new rider asks the current rider,
"Where is the ride" ? Total garbage that that answer isnt on the ride calander, or on the "MAP" link, or the ride flyer link, or the ride location link. Like I said the software is already in place.
Yes its the RM responsibility to get that info, also the RM's responsibility to line up alot of other issues. AERC provides sanctioning when these steps are met. One of those steps should be LOCATION of ride. Good grief I just can't fathom the resistance to such a simple concept.
I'm not resisting the concept as I think that location is important, but disagree with where you're placing the blame.
Location is not required when sanctioning a ride with AERC because getting the date on the calendar as soon as possible is the most important thing for initial sanctioning. Getting the details ironed out comes later, especially for new rides or rides that need to change camp locations or are moving locations completely. It's like reserving your room at the hotel - you know you have your date reserved, but you don't know your exact room number until you get there. Same with rides - you know you can prepare and host a ride on this date, so you reserve it, and then update the details once you've nailed them down. If you'd like to understand the process, AERC has the ride manager's handbook online for you to peruse.
If you'd like to continue discussing individual ride issues, I encourage you to start a new thread rather than hijacking one intended to make people more aware of why they should join AERC and encourage other endurance riders to do so as well.
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