All great comments/observations above. I fear that they will fall upon deaf/stubborn/myopic ears.
Right - but here for posterity if not future reference..., unless the website goes down.
To me, the biggest issue is the perception that ACA has become irrelevant. While I agree they have mightly missed the boat in places, i.e. look at Bikepacking.com's website vs. ACA's and which gets you more motivated to ride/tour.
However, they CAN compete in other places by offering value and benefits to its members. I would think if they seriously pushed the discounts (hotels, restaurants, campgrounds, etc.) along ANY major route (including Bikepacking), the discounts received would pay for the membership.
I also wish they would actively start pursuing Short Routes and/or Member submitted and peer-reviewed routes (short or long). It would be nice if they could start coordinating local/regional "touring groups" that are cultivated only amongst ACA members, i.e. all ACA members in X state are invited to a 3-day tour in that state that the members arrange themselves and you must be an ACA member to participate.
Finally, they could significantly increase the touring-specific advocacy (no turn away camping policy, rumble strips, etc.).
As a side note, I was encouraged they are looking to add 3 Board Members. I would volunteer but I have very little non-profit experience. I think they need a wide variety of Board Members though.
Just my 2 cents. Tailwinds, John
Well summarized. Think you sell yourself short as regards the phronetic knowledge you'd bring to the table. (You younger guys can look it up.)
As noted - the "on-line" presence is critical to the mission, but if the mission is tires on pavement/gravel/dirt, then route development and making personal/organizational connections with the local communities are critical.
Peer-reviewed rides remain a keystone in holding things together between the web-world and the real world. A mapping model based on curated volunteer/member input would seem natural. Considerations for taking over (or selling out) to ride with GPS, has, I'm sure been a consideration.
In the 2-wheeled world of motorcycles, we have Rever.
https://www.rever.co/ They bought some tracking technology from Scorpio years ago and have collaborated with Butler Maps (which similar to ACA, publish copyrighted maps of reviewed routes, though Rever includes a grading system for quality of roads, scenery, etc.). They have an interesting revenue model, which bears some thought. There are of course other sites for route development, but they have the most mature model to date.
I would love (pay) to ride into a new town and have ACA route me along safe routes to high quality discounted services while I'm on tour....
