No... not exactly. Where you got that impression is when we started our first photo gallery and forum, the main users of the site wanted it private... and didn't want TT like registration of a bunch of internet clowns looking at our trip photos and making juvenile posts on our site. So we required folks that wanted to look at our photos to fill out an online form and come on a ride before allowing access. This eliminated the lookie-loos.
With new software and better web skills... and a few years of learning what works and what doesn't work for a small regional riding group like ours... we built a new site that is more open... much more automated... but just as before, NO ONE NEEDS JOIN ANYTHING TO COME RIDE. Signing up on the site is VOLUNTARY & FREE. The ride Calendar and much of the forum that relates to the rides is open and available to anyone... even without a login.
The folks that choose to sign up do have access to other web features and private riding events... as it should be.
The only cost is voluntary (just like Café Husky). Only those that care to toss in a few bucks do.
My view on the subject of money & friends:
http://ridersonline.org/2012/subscriptions.htm
Bottom-line Coffee... we are about RIDING ! Our site is a super simple way to make that happen in an effortless way. We are a place to stick a pin in a calendar at a riding location... and people just show up to ride with you !
And if you wanna sign up and talk to folks about the ride before and after thats OK too. It's a little more intimate than the talk forums... but it certainly does not compete with or replace them. Nothing will ever take the place of Café Husky or KTMTalk or ADV Rider for the knowledge and community you guys all provide us users.
Regards... Jeff aka BLT