The social side of MINI2 - Mini Runs/Social Occasions

[Shamster]

Who has never been on a MINI run? Particularly those that are a feature on MINI2.

I'd be interested to know because I'm sure there are a number of MINI2 regulars both in the UK and abroad who for one reason or another don't make it to MINI runs and/or Socials - is there something about them you don't think you'd like? Or do you tend to be pretty busy most weekends.

Serious question - would be interested to know and I'm sure those of us who organise runs and social events would find the answers interesting to enable us to try and make them appeal to more people.

In GD to try and get a decent response.

Please - open your hearts - come on everyone who posts on M2 but never comes out, tell us why

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

I'm not affraid to travel to get to a MINI2 run and the only one I've ever been on I had to make a 500 mile round trip to the start line. I'm affraid I had to drop out after about 25 miles as the pace was too fast and several of us got separated from the convoy

I'd love to go on another run if I knew the group would be able to stay together at a sensible pace that meant I could confidently invite Eeyore & Roo along as well.

Tigger.

[MINIkt]

Still a relatively new member but looking forward to going on my 1st run - although have to confess to feeling a bit apprehensive about the potential 'boy-racer' quota on runs. Have been reassured by a good few MINI2 members though and have already signed up for Heartbeat 2007!

[supa-dupa-cooper]

Well ive been on one run (as you know Sham ) was a little apprehensive at first, what with not really knowing what to expect.

Found people to be welcoming and friendly.

I do however feel my little ONE struggled a little with keeping up with the S's but maybe that was just me and the fact that my car is still very new and done little miles and i didnt want to push it too hard

But I still had fun and a good laugh along the way (especially passing a certain horse and cart ) and next time i plan on staying for any social event afterwards

I will definatly join another run at some point

[ScottieCoop]

Never been on a Mini2 run far to far to travel for me.

[The Red Baron]

I once remember talking to a guy at a run. It was his first and he was very apprehensive about it, as he thought we were all techno geeks who spent all day talking about reduction pulleys etc..

Mind you seeing as I was dressed up as Father Christmas at the time, not sure if that helped with his impression of MINI 'ers.

[minicore]

Never been on a run, simply because I've not had chance. Not worried about the pace, especially since I got the Works - I've just not had chance, and there's not been much in the immediate locality.

I'll hopefully be going on next years Heartbeat run though!

[AlexBRGCooper]

I have to admit I'd be apprehensive to go on one as I know that a few other message boards that regulars are very cliquey and that newbies tend to stand around like Gooseberries.

However, please feel free to try and convince me otherwise...

[S33BBY]

I've been a member of MINI2 since December 2003, and got my first MINI in February 2004, yet I've never been on a run. The silly thing is that there is absolutely no reason why I haven't. I guess if I had to put a reason on it, it's because I was a little "scared" of the events part of the forum. It seemed to be packed with so many events and discussions and I didn't know where to start, and I guess I felt like I wasn't expert enough to join in!

That said, I'm pleased to say that I finally got my act together and I'm going on the Cotswolds Run in August. Hopefully this will be the start of many more.

[Banana Panceyette]

Quote: Originally Posted by zicoal

I have to admit I'd be apprehensive to go on one as I know that a few other message boards that regulars are very cliquey and that newbies tend to stand around like Gooseberries.

However, please feel free to try and convince me otherwise...

Obviously I can't comment on your area specifically but I know when I went on my first run I thought it might be a bit like that and it *really* wasn't - in fact, it felt more like everyone made more of an effort to make me feel welcome

If you're worried about that though, try going on a small run to begin and get to know a few people before embarking on a larger run!

Oh, and welcome to MINI2 btw - I think you'll find that everyone you meet IRL is every bit as nice as they are on here - I know I did

[vickietots]

For me, I suppose it is because I am a bit apprehenisve. I suppose words like "spirited" put me off and the thought of being left behind (although of course I know that we get the route before hand and can catch up).

Probably not much of an excuse really!!

[RVW]

Quote: Originally Posted by zicoal

I have to admit I'd be apprehensive to go on one as I know that a few other message boards that regulars are very cliquey and that newbies tend to stand around like Gooseberries.

However, please feel free to try and convince me otherwise...

I have been on quite a few runs over the past years. Apprehension was certainly the feeling on the first run ( Chilterns if my failing memory is correct) but that soon dissappeared when meeting up. Everybody you will find is friendly and talkative
Cliquey-- well you will find that in EVERY form of society but with MINI2 its not intentional. Some people get on with each other better than others, if you want to you can call that cliquey,I would rather call it natural selection
The GOOSEBERRIES Feel that is possibly the apprehension you are talking about. If you are apprehensive then you tend to hang about on the fringe until a0 you pluck up the courage to break the ice with someone
or b) someone breaks the ice with you and hey presto -- apprehension GONE

If you don't make a load of new friends on your first run do not worry.
But be assured once you do a run you will want to do more and make even more lasting and meaningful friendships

( Ramblings of on old F"rt )

[KPKalle]

I've been on 5 runs in the UK. I'd go on more but not living in the country for the mo makes it a tad difficult In fact I try to time my UK visits with MINI(2) oriented events

Highly recommended and a great laugh. And I really like to put faces and personalities to the names you see posting here.

I've also been on 3 runs in Sweden. I've had to organise all of them and none have been particularly well attended by UK standards! This is perhaps down to laziness, with many owners being unwilling to travel. Maybe down to ignorance - not knowing about the local website and what's going on. Or is it just that "runs" are unheard of?

Having said that, the people who do show up are a good bunch. All very friendly and enthusiastic about their MINIs

[RVW]

Quote: Originally Posted by vickietots

For me, I suppose it is because I am a bit apprehenisve. I suppose words like "spirited" put me off and the thought of being left behind (although of course I know that we get the route before hand and can catch up).

Probably not much of an excuse really!!

The word "spirited" can possibly send out the wrong signal to people
In general NEWBIES ( imo as I was once one ) should start there fisrt runs in the front sections of the convoy. Here they will find the pace more sedate
Reason is in a convoy of a load of MINI`s those at the front can drive at the safe and national speed limits whilst those at the rear are having to play catchup if they want to keep up.
Try this with a mate sometime -- you leave at 30mph then your mate leaves 5 minutes later, to catch you up ( you still doing 30) he has to drive quite spirited. The same applies to the runs. So in conclusion people are not driving like nutters but just trying to keep up. that`s one of the many enjoyable things about the runs. EVERYONE drives safefully but everyone drives differently.

Puddlers/muddlers/nutters

[:: Jon ::]

Quote: Originally Posted by minicore

Never been on a run, simply because I've not had chance. and there's not been much in the immediate locality.

Northwest Lakes run & Mikeys Lakes Run