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Update 24 August 2026
Take the right fork . . . Sunday’s wash up.
The last time I wrote to you all I explained how I considered that Riders Lane, and the evolution being developed for it, was sitting at a fork in the road. Yes, we now have the option on a lease for new premises and, yes, we can theoretically dive in and set up for a re-opening.
A Fork In The Road
A wise person (Lawrence ‘Yogi’ Berra) once said, “When you come to a fork in the road: take it.” And that’s where we were at. Take a deep breath, take the left fork and commit to the lease and setting up and . . .
You will recall, too, that I didn’t think it was a decision that was mine alone to take: it was as much the communities as it was mine and I asked you all, “What would you do?” if faced with the same circumstances.
I received quite a few emails of support and encouragement. People grateful for what Riders Lane provides and offers. People urging the small team committed to the project and its evolution to, ‘stay the course’.
People offering to do what they could to carry the ball onwards.
An invitation was sent to those people who reached out to catch up last Sunday, discuss what was proposed in more detail and to ‘test the resolve’ and to ‘measure the depth of support and commitment’ to take the left fork.
And, so, in the warmth of the Sunday just passed, that small team driving Riders Lane, and its evolution, met with six others to finalise which fork in the road to take.
I write to you, now, to let you know that it won’t be the left fork.
The Right Fork
That does mean, though, that we are taking the right fork. The right fork for Riders Lane and its current stage of evolution. The right fork for the development of the Black Dog Bunker. The right fork to, in the long-term, achieve the objectives that we, the community, vocalised in our survey responses, share, and want to achieve.
Taking the right fork is not an ending: it is certainly a new beginning. It provides time to consolidate and allocate more time to specific events and projects.
Without the burden of premises (oh . . .we have some plans in that regard all the same), we will be able to take pressure off precious financial resources. We will continue to run rides, events, community building activities. We will soon be better positioned – by virtue of legal structure – to engage in fundraising activities that, also, seek to raise awareness around Black Dog Ride and Black Dog Bunker and its goals and objectives.
The right fork is one that will require a bit of ‘sweat equity’ and is a steadier pace. Yet, weirdly, the decision having been made seems to have given rise to an acceleration of pace. Funny how that works.
Don’t touch that dial . . . things are coming and your support and involvement will be invited and encouraged.
Watch this space.
Ride safe,
Sonia
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