Curvy Riders is run by a dedicated group of volunteers who give their time freely (and are indeed remarkable women!). From answering emails and posting on social media to handling memberships & finances, and organising annual trips, it can be a full-time job at times.
So, who is the current committee? Read on to find out and to learn more about them…
Q: Can you briefly explain your committee role?
A: As a recent incumbent, I’m still stepping into this role, but serving on the committee as Treasurer has given me a good grounding.
I see the role as holding the committee team together, ensuring that things are done, and ensuring that the club runs smoothly. Easier said than done sometimes!
Q: What do you enjoy about being a committee member?
A: That’s easy. Teamwork.
The current committee are a great team, with various strengths to bind us all together. We don’t always agree, but we operate on a very democratic basis, using a ‘majority vote wins’ approach, and that has always worked very well.
Q: Which bit are you good at?
A: I’ve only been chairwoman since July, so that’s hard to say. Ask me again in another 12 months!
After serving on the committee for so long, my belief that we’re here for the members is still my guiding light, and it’s at the centre of everything that we do, every decision that we make. I’d say that’s a strength.
Q: Which bit are you rubbish at?
A: Probably worrying too much. Nobody likes conflict or disagreements, and if the club faces a challenge that involves all the members, it’s hard not to get caught up in worrying and overthinking. We’ve had a couple of these issues over the past few years, and it’s been very hard to switch off from.
Q: What do the Curvies mean to you?
A: Friendship and laughter. And finding your tribe. Riding with either existing or new friends, there’s nothing quite like it.
Q: Can you tell us something about yourself that might surprise the members?
A: I’m pretty much an open book; my love of steam engines is well documented (real, proper love, I chased one to Bridgnorth last year), as is my insistence that quiche forms an essential part of every ride out.
I have a twin sister who is nothing like me. Aside from the quiche and steam engines, we both eat and chase in that order.
email : chairwoman@curvymail.co.uk
Q: Can you briefly explain your committee role?A: I keep track of policies and procedures with guidance from the British Motorcycling Federation. I issue most notices and statements, organise the AGM, and take minutes. During annual trip planning season, we all pitch in, and like many job descriptions say, “any duties as directed by your line manager” applies here too.Q: What do you enjoy about being a committee member?A: Being on this committee is rewarding; teamwork is at the heart of it, making decisions for the benefit of members and supporting each other when life’s demands, family, work, or personal issues, get in the way. Q: Which bit are you good at?A: I’m organised, with meticulous notes and reminders. Q: Which bit are you rubbish at?A: My tech skills are pretty poor. Thankfully, fellow committee members and my grandchildren help me with things like setting up my new laptop.Q: What do the Curvies mean to you?A: The Curvies are a special sisterhood. I often tour the UK and Europe with my husband, but a Curvy outing is something else. Our last ride out chat covered everything from summer bike boot recommendations and sight correction surgery to bungee jumping, the medical benefits of live culture yoghurt, and even hiding your bike in a shed because of a worried mum, all over a slice of Bakewell tart and a cuppa.Q: Can you tell us something about yourself that might surprise the members?A: A couple of surprises about me: I took up tap dancing 18 months ago, no Ginger Rogers, but not too shabby. And I’m obsessed with houseplants. I have around 24, all thriving, loved and cherished except for my deceptively vicious asparagus fern.
email : secretary@curvymail.co.uk
Q: Can you briefly explain your committee role?
A: Membership Secretary. I have to organise the printing of the membership bits and pieces that go inside the envelopes. Liaise with Linda to organise collection/delivery of the membership gifts and then make up the packs ready for posting out to all our lovely members. Check in-coming membership payments and process to send out a pack to each member. Keep records up to date with changes of address. Answer Rep queries to check new members. Chase expired members to find out whether they want to remain with us, which they sometimes do. Add new members onto the Members’ only FB page, which can sometimes be a task, especially when a FB persona is totally different from an actual persona. I have to don my Inspector Clouseau hat to do investigations!
Q: What do you enjoy about being a committee member?
A: It’s about being part of a team and something unique and Curvies are a very unique club. We make big decisions that affect the club, we have to discuss everything because we don’t always agree with each other, but we discuss it and come to a satisfactory conclusion. We support each other in all things, not just club matters, personal matters too. We know we can rely on each other for support.
Q: Which bit are you good at?
A: Admin, I’m good at doing all the admin stuff that’s required in my role. Good at talking to people and helping them when they have problems making their payment. I solve their problems to make it easier for the members to update card details when they re-join. Keeping people regularly updated with the membership packs being sent out.
Q: Which bit are you rubbish at?
A: I’m rubbish at technology. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a complete technophobe! I can do some easy techy stuff. I let those with the technology know-how get on with it and I generally stay out of it. If I need something techy sorted with our membership software, I ask the lovely Linda to sort it out for me and then explain what I need to do!
Q: What do the Curvies mean to you?
A: Cameraderie, support, fun and friendship. Once you join Curvies, you make friends for life, even if you leave the club for whatever reason. We are a supportive bunch who look out for each other and help new riders with advice on everything and anything bike related.
Q: Can you tell us something about yourself that might surprise the members?
A: Ahhh now you’re asking. I don’t have anything exciting like Linda and Debbie to tell you. I like to do my bit for charity and around 14 years ago, I took part in an event for our local Women’s Aid charity. I did an abseil down one of our local lighthouses about 75 miles away from where I live. I did not have a car at the time and only had my bike for transport. I had to climb all the stairs inside the lighthouse, then do the abseil in my bike gear! I raised over £300 and had so much fun!
email : memberships@curvymail.co.uk
Q: Can you briefly explain your committee role?
A: My committee role is to look after the regions that don’t have a local rep (we call the regions URRs) where I do general admin, accepting joining requests and welcome new members to the regions, etc. I also look after Curvy’s Marketplace, approving posts (or rejecting if not in line with the rules 😉), deleting old or sold items and so on. By taking on this role, I’ve realised I have very few skills and knowledge of how Facebook actually works, so I hope all unrepped regions have patience with me.
Q: What do you enjoy about being a committee member?
A: I joined Curvy’s in 2022 and soon met lots of like-minded women, of whom many have become good friends. Since joining Curvys, I have been to so many new places and discovered some amazing roads I never would have discovered otherwise. Combine this with getting to know some amazing women is just awesome.
Q: What do the Curvies mean to you?
A: The club is run by members for members, so when I got the opportunity to join the committee, I didn’t hesitate. The club has given me so much in terms of friendships and discovering new places I wanted to give something back.
email : regions@curvymail.co.uk
Q: Can you briefly explain your current committee role?
A: I’m new to the committee this year, so at the minute I am chief cheerleader and throwing myself into jobs that crop up! I’ve been learning about how the membership process works and motivating the troops for the nations trip.
Q: What do you enjoy about being a committee member?
A: It’s been lovely getting to know the committee members and finding out what goes on behind the scenes (a lot more than you might think!) It has given me a greater understand appreciation of the work and organisation that creates this space we enjoy and value.
Q: Which bits are you good at?
A: I’m still trying to work that out!! I’m more of an ideas person than bringing the practical skills…but I’m finding my niche! I love the national trip so I’m throwing myself into the planning for that.
Q: Which bit are you rubbish at?
A: I’m a bit of a technophobe, so I dislike anything that needs an account and a password! But that’s the joy of working in a team-we play to our strengths and jump in to help each other out.
Q: What do the Curvies mean to you?
A: Curvies to me are the friends I didn’t know I needed! The network of amazing women I have met give support, encouragement, fun and endless reels and memes! I wouldn’t be without them. They inspire me to be a better rider, a better friend…just better!
Q: Can you tell us something about yourself that might surprise the members?
A: The thing about me that usually surprises people is that I ride a bike… but that won’t surprise you! I love to crochet and spend many an evening watching Netflix, crocheting blankets for children in foster care and pondering my next bike adventure!
