NETRA News September 2019 | Page 4

A couple years ago, in one of my earlier

President's Messages, I wrote about the

power of the newer "fun ride" format and what I

think it holds for us as an association and a sport. I

wrote about the Pathfinders' (of which I'm a member) first

three iterations of fun rides with two being at the Thomaston Dam

property and, at that time, our first use of the Mount Southington site. I mentioned the very high number of attendees and also the fact that, for many, these rides were their first introduction to organized riding - several people mentioned to us that before the fun ride, their only riding was at local "tolerated" spots.

Two years on, I'm extremely happy to see that the 2019 calendar has five fun rides on it plus the traditional PSTR Toy Run which is of a similar format. NETRA has a long history and excellent reputation for putting on high-quality competitive events and turkey runs. But, it's important for us to remember that just the aspect of competition can be intimidating for some riders out there...and others are simply not interested. The fun ride format gives an opportunity for NETRA to welcome a huge crop of potential members to the NETRA Family.

For our sport and association to remain strong, we need new blood each year. We need to welcome the people who don't buy a new bike every three years (or 3 months) and are happy just to plunk around on some nice trails on their CRF 230 while their kid rides a clapped out but operational PW 50. Fun rides are a great format for us to do this.

So, thanks to the Pathfinders, the Rhody Rovers, Tri-State Trail Riders, The Nutmeg Scramblers, The CT Ramblers, and Pilgrim Sands Trail Riders for putting on this kind of ride in 2019. I'm hoping even more clubs will join the list for 2020.

See you at RocktoberFast!

President's Message

Tony