Slackers?

[cvcalhoun]

The one remaining question before we can get registration moving is what to do about the slackers. Which of the three options that has been suggested so far do you prefer? See the draft registration form for how the question will be worded if we have it.

Just to be clear, the the draft registration form includes several options to prevent newbies from signing up to be slackers:

• The form says in bold and red that only veterans can participate.
• We can check to make sure that people who want to be slackers are veterans, because the form requires them to state their miles from last year, plus we still have the list from last year.
• There is no description of the slackers, so only veterans who already know what it means will be inclined to chose it.

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Topic

[jrenaut]

Maybe Steve O can get some more of the ankle reflectors that say “SLACKER” in huge letters

[Arlingtonrider]

I would vote against putting slackers on the registration form because it may be too enticing to newbies. My own view is that it should be limited to two or three time alumni or those who have made significant volunteer contributions, with a gatekeeper. The teams are what makes Freezing Saddles as fun as it is.

[cvcalhoun]

@Arlingtonrider 128951 wrote:

I would vote against putting slackers on the registration form because it may be too enticing to newbies. My own view is that it should be limited to two or three time alumni or those who have made significant volunteer contributions, with a gatekeeper. The teams are what makes Freezing Saddles what it is.

FWIW, the draft registration form specifically says it is not available to newbies. In bold red letters. And we can check to make sure they didn’t ignore the bold and red and try to sign up anyway, because we have the list from last year, plus people have to say on the form what their miles were from last year. Plus, since the form gives no indication what a slacker is, only veterans who already know are likely to try to choose it.

[Arlingtonrider]

Yes, I just saw that and tried to delete my post. Sorry – you have it all covered!

[randomduck]

I may end up being a slacker by default, even though I didn’t participate in any previous Freezing Saddles.

Y’see, I coach alpine ski racing every. single. weekend. between December 12 and March 13. So my ability to participate in any weekend rides is, well, not great.

I registered (because that’s what folks do, right?), but I know full well I’m best with a slacker group than not.

Thanks for your consideration!

[cvcalhoun]

Well, you’ll need to be on a team, as opposed to an official slacker, given that you haven’t participated in any previous Freezing Saddles. But trust me, you won’t be given grief for slacking, even if you’re on a team. We had two people last year who had zero miles each. And anyone who isn’t Eric Wi (the top person last year) can’t complain about the people with fewer miles, because there is always someone with more.

And weekend rides aren’t a necessity anyway. Most people don’t ride every day. Many don’t even ride half the days. And I’ve never seen anyone given grief for riding too few days. @randomduck 129104 wrote:

I may end up being a slacker by default, even though I didn’t participate in any previous Freezing Saddles.

Y’see, I coach alpine ski racing every. single. weekend. between December 12 and March 13. So my ability to participate in any weekend rides is, well, not great.

I registered (because that’s what folks do, right?), but I know full well I’m best with a slacker group than not.

Thanks for your consideration!

[TwoWheelsDC]

@randomduck 129104 wrote:

I may end up being a slacker by default, even though I didn’t participate in any previous Freezing Saddles.

Y’see, I coach alpine ski racing every. single. weekend. between December 12 and March 13. So my ability to participate in any weekend rides is, well, not great.

I registered (because that’s what folks do, right?), but I know full well I’m best with a slacker group than not.

Thanks for your consideration!

I pretty much hibernate on weekends during the winter, so you’re not alone. However, even if you just ride a couple times during the week, that’ll put you ahead of a surprising amount of people (historically, anyway). Also, you can always try for one of the pointless prizes, since many of those don’t require extra riding. My mileage will be low this year (comparatively), but my commute is such that my average speed is pretty high, so I’m shooting to place high in the top speed category.

TL;DR Don’t worry about whether you can ride extra miles. As long as you ride somewhat consistently, you’ll add value to your team.

[scorchedearth]

I have to nominate myself for the slacker team this year as I’ve been on the winning team for the past two competitions and I figure that I should defer the privilege of being an official team member to someone else.

[Steve O]

@TwoWheelsDC 129127 wrote:

I pretty much hibernate on weekends during the winter, so you’re not alone.

I wrote this last year (referring to BAFS2014):
@Steve O 102143 wrote:

As a reference point, the middle 50% of riders last year (i.e., ignoring the top quartile and bottom quartile) rode between 36 and 73 days. The median was 58.

There are 80 days this year (leap year! We get a bonus day!). Anyone who rides 1/2 of those is a good team member. Anyone who rides more than 25 days is a contributing team member.

[Steve O]

@scorchedearth 129130 wrote:

I have to nominate myself for the slacker team this year as I’ve been on the winning team for the past two competitions and I figure that I should defer the privilege of being an official team member to someone else.

Please don’t. Having a mixture of former players and new players is what helps us build our community of friends. There is no limit on the number of players, so your not playing does not make another spot available. There is room for all.

[scorchedearth]

@Steve O 129134 wrote:

Please don’t. Having a mixture of former players and new players is what helps us build our community of friends. There is no limit on the number of players, so your not playing does not make another spot available. There is room for all.

Understood. I was under the impression that there were a limited number of spots. I’ll rescind my request in that case.

[ShawnoftheDread]

@scorchedearth 129130 wrote:

…I’ve been on the winning team for the past two competitions….

I hate you.

[cvcalhoun]

It has now been officially decided that slackers will not be a “team” this year, and will not sign up on the registration form. Instead, they will simply look out for and join the Strava club in January. Given that there will be no team, and thus no team captain, can some slacker please volunteer to take the lead in setting up the Strava club?

[Steve O]

One idea that I have heard is that, as veterans, slackers can serve as “yodas.” They are assigned to a team, but their riding and miles don’t count for or against the team. Others can then benefit from their experience in the game, they have someone to cheer for, and they can associate with a particular group. But they don’t have to wrestle with their uncontrollable competitiveness.
Perhaps they can also participate in team side bets?

Thoughts?

[ShawnoftheDread]

If I wanted to associate with a particular team and help them to ride more, I would join a team.

[Author]

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