Forum Flyers

[faach1]

Had a quick look on the site where Rick B’s singlet had come from, it appears that it’s possible to buy not just a FF singlet, but also FF polo shirts, shorts etc. Prices for the singlet are: £45 for 1, £35 each for 2-11, £30 each for 12-30, £28.70 each for more than 30. Seems a reasonable price to pay each if there is demand for it.

[Gymbeau]

After a few minutes scanning the Cafe Press business model, terms and conditions, and so on and on and on, I get the distinct impression that anyone contracting with this outfit is going to need a lawyer, bookkeeper, and tax advisor. I did not find a simple option for contracting parties to simply kick in their design and sit back job done without the imposition of recurring fees for this, that and a paper of pins. I think a virtual organization with a virtual treasury comprised solely of good will cannot and should not expect any member or officer to take on this financial responsibility.

To make an individual purchase of a custom product at Cafe Press just go to their website, click on "design your own," pick a product, upload an image, go through the rest of the process, and add it to your cart and pay. I don't see any recurring fees. At least that's the way it appears to me.

I designed this mug, put it in the cart, and the cost with shipping was $17.23 (before tax). I didn't buy it because the logo was so small due to the low quality of the image I was able to acquire from the forum.

[jackarabit]

Thanx for exploring the Cafe Press “design your own” for one time gratification without extended commitment, James. I should lock down my LI/GWO and toss the key! (It did look like there was a lawyer behind every bush mumble mumble, sez I, wiping egg from face )

Looks that prices are competitive with the Brit source. Seeing you aren’t satisfied with the definition/resolution of the image on your mug, i think we should wait for Chris Whale to come up with a master image. Once we have that, the way may be clear to make available to membership and those desiring can each approach CP with their own custom (just like every other) design.

[jackarabit]

Ran the hotfoot iggle thru a foto editor. Basic sharpen/brighten recipe.

[jackarabit]

Had a chat with Cafe Press customer service online. Very upfront on technical side of digital image transfers and what is possible or not, provenance and copyright of image submitted, and obligations of ‘account owner’ under the “open marketplace” option. Rather surprised at the absence of indecipherable triplespeak!

One thing I learned is they won’t remove or weed the background color/frame from supplied image. This isn’t very noticeable on James’ white ceramic mug but jumps out at you on items of apparel so there’s a bit of Pshopping necessary b4 submitting.

[meerkats]

Just checked and i dont have the original image I'm trying to remember the provenance, I'll message Rick B, he might know.

The Godfey stuff I remember ordering and is not bad value, good quality, if you buy in as much bulk as possible. I'd certainly be up for buying a new one, would have thought it would need a volunteer collate order and sort out all sorts of payments etc, I cant remeber how we did it last time

Funny Lockdown effect today, daughter decided she wanted to row, but wasnt interested in the cold garage. Move the machine into the loft and she was off with the CTC and currently props up the table. She is a lithe stringy thin, so if she gets the bug, she'll be improving over the month. I'm also looking forward ot not rowing in the freezing garage, has done nothing to help back spasms, which have temporarily stopped me in my tracks

[Slothful1]

[meerkats]

Blimey and the teenager has done the CTC as well, only because his mum said he could not have chocolate toast if he didn't do some exercise....different people different motivation.

Feeling slack, I'd better do it later

[Slothful1]

Phew, finished the holiday challenge! Done the full 200k. Now where's my badge?

Well done, Neil! For the big metre guys a 200km month is nothing, but I still find it a big stretch to hit. I remember my first one back in 2004 just after I got my model D, and leaving 130km for the last 10 days of the challenge looked like a lost cause. Just to prove my wife wrong, I through everything at it, and managed to squeeze in the necessary metres.

I was away from home for a chunk of time in December, but managed to do a few long BikeErg sessions to knock it off just before the deadline.

Dave

[Slothful1]

Blimey and the teenager has done the CTC as well, only because his mum said he could not have chocolate toast if he didn't do some exercise....different people different motivation.

Feeling slack, I'd better do it later

Your motivational skills are much better than mine, Chris! Can't get my kids to have a go - they showed some early interest a couple of years ago, but it seems to have vanished.

[Slothful1]

Our overall IRL participation has been a bit disappointing, especially after the flurry of interest at the start where we had so much interest, we had to break into multiple teams. On my team (Forum Flyers 2020) we had 9 people row the first month, and our best since then as been 7. The other Flyer teams have faired no better in terms of participation.

I admit for me (like Suzanne’s note), IRL is a bit of afterthought each month (have to set myself a reminder). Much more interesting to participate in CTC and watching our team’s progress (floating boats). The only interesting feature in IRL is the “adjusted times” for age/gender/weight which an old LWT like myself benefits. Given the low participation levels, others must feel the same. This is my first year participating in IRL. Others may have more history and better informed opinions.

—Marc

The IRL has also become an afterthought for me. Not sure why, especially when it's an excuse to do the ranking pieces. I ran out of time in December between days away from home, the Holiday Challenge, and squeezing the CTC in at the last moment.

The FMMC also does age, gender, weight adjustments, and tends to overlap with most of the IRL events. It's worth a look too, because there is a team element (but not as prominent as the IRL).

Dave

[neil262]

Phew, finished the holiday challenge! Done the full 200k. Now where's my badge?

Well done, Neil! For the big metre guys a 200km month is nothing, but I still find it a big stretch to hit. I remember my first one back in 2004 just after I got my model D, and leaving 130km for the last 10 days of the challenge looked like a lost cause. Just to prove my wife wrong, I through everything at it, and managed to squeeze in the necessary metres.

I was away from home for a chunk of time in December, but managed to do a few long BikeErg sessions to knock it off just before the deadline.

Dave

Cheers Dave! Managed it by sticking to 10k every weekday, and having the weekends off. Really started to get sick of the 10ks nearing the end! I made a pledge to have a quieter month, this month, with shorter distances. Already broke that rule by doing a couple of 10ks! I actually missed them!

[Slothful1]

Just checked and i dont have the original image I'm trying to remember the provenance, I'll message Rick B, he might know.

The Godfey stuff I remember ordering and is not bad value, good quality, if you buy in as much bulk as possible. I'd certainly be up for buying a new one, would have thought it would need a volunteer collate order and sort out all sorts of payments etc, I cant remeber how we did it last time

The Godfrey FF team page looks like a good starting point while we track down the logo (which could open up more options through CafePress). It may be messy to try and coordinate the bulk ordering given our scattered team. Even if the UK members could get it arranged, the discounts might disappear into the extra postage to redistribute everything.

But thanks everyone for the nudge - I think it's a travesty that I've been thinking about getting a club shirt for more than 10 years now, and still haven't done it. Missed my chance to wear it at the World Champs with Rick (I'm the non-athletic looking orange shirt to his right), and with the new qualifying requirements I doubt I'll ever get there again!

Dave

[Slothful1]

Cheers Dave! Managed it by sticking to 10k every weekday, and having the weekends off. Really started to get sick of the 10ks nearing the end! I made a pledge to have a quieter month, this month, with shorter distances. Already broke that rule by doing a couple of 10ks! I actually missed them!

I know what you mean! But also after a few days' break, the hunger comes back.

I definitely find the long sessions easier on the BikeErg. I did some 3+ hour rides close together, but would never have managed that on the rower where the hands and back take a hammering (in addition to the butt).

The pin is a cool motivator though - my wife still doesn't understand how that can get me push to the end of the challenge .

Dave

[Slothful1]

Happy New Year, everyone!

After my previous long break I managed to vanish again for 3 weeks - a combination of holidays away from home, fitting in the usual festive season prep, and just lying in the swimming pool drinking beer seemed to fill the days. Now that work started today I suddenly find the time to loiter on the forum this morning .

I see we're off to a storming start on the Virtual Team Challenge with faach1 accounting for nearly a quarter of the team's metres with over 500km individually logged . We're already halfway to last year's 4.3 million metres after 5 days, so I suspect like the Fall Team Challenge, we're going to stomp on that record.

Don't forget to join the challenge in your logbook (under the Team section) if you haven't already.

All the best for a healthy and productive 2021.

Cheers
Dave