Well, I seem to have opened a can of worms.
Firstly, for me, membership of the club is about meeting people I would not normally have the opportuntiy to meet, and share our appreciation of the cars, this being but a facet of each of us.
Pete - I posted in South Central on the day that I had had a great day at Gaydon, and the run up was a huge part of it - I agree with Nick & Jane’s response to John A above, as long as people drive considerately, other road users seem to smile at the sight of a group of 5’s on a run - if it’s done right it shouldn’t P anyone off…
I was 3rd from back (in the NA California) and missed that we could take both lanes and enter the Dual Carriageway two abreast - meaning the two behind me had to stop - I went through the lights as they turned amber.
Having led group events - walking in my case - I understand the need to balance the ‘Racing Snakes’ and the ‘Tail-End Charlies’, and you can never win(make the snakes break and they want to go as soon as the charlies arrive for a break), I also understand the work that goes into it, so please do not feel that I was in any way undermining the effort you put in to make it happen. Indeed I hope to be able to make the time to organise and lead at least one for the MX5OC - to use a pub analogy ‘stand my round’.
I do also appreciate being able to arrive at an event, and not have to think too hard about what I have to do - it’s a great foil to the busy lives we all lead to be able to turn up, follow on, and just relax and enjoy it.
Martin - from a club POV I understand it can be a minefield, especially if people do things in contravention of the Highway Code.
for other responses- (purely my own views)
CBs - legally require licences (as I remember) but if there are ways of doing so with radio/bluetooth sounds good, may need fitting (holes in my dash??), need to be able to hear it (and turn down my ‘hairdresser’ playlist!) - and potentially interact with it whilst driving - might put off new people?
Roof Down Shouting? bring it on… 
Printed instructions tend to require a co-pilot - especially on unknown roads, roof down, at speed - besides a good navigator is, it seems, a pipe dream in my case… 
Going Solo - for me, defeats the object of a 'club run’
Training people - this excludes new people, and surely attracts a cost?
Insurance - not sure it’s mentioned… will check mine…
Countryboy - rather than joining the Army, I was considering chaps, jeans, check shirt, stetson, chewing a match, shouting ‘ye-haw’ and driving a Peterbuilt… when I wasn’t strumming my banjo… but that darn truck just ain’t as much fun as a Miata… and by definition, you wouldn’t let me play in a truck, it’s not an MX5… particularly in that outfit…
Well, I seem to gave opened a can of worms.
Firstly, for me, membership of the club is about meeting people I would not normally have the opportuntiy to meet, and share our appreciation of the cars, this being but a facet of each of us.
Pete - I posted in South Central on the day that I had had a great day at Gaydon, and the run up was a huge part of it - I agree with Nick & Jane’s response to John A above, as long as people drive considerately, other road users seem to smile at the sight of a group of 5’s on a run - if it’s done right it shouldn’t P anyone off…
I was 3rd from back (in the NA California) and missed that we could take both lanes and enter the Dual Carriageway two abreast - meaning the two behind me had to stop - I went through the lights as they turned amber.
Having led group events - walking in my case - I understand the need to balance the ‘Racing Snakes’ and the ‘Tail-End Charlies’, and you can never win(make the snakes break and they want to go as soon as the charlies arrive for a break), I also understand the work that goes into it, so please do not feel that I was in any way undermining the effort you put in to make it happen. Indeed I hope to be able to make the time to organise and lead at least one for the MX5OC - to use a pub analogy ‘stand my round’.
I do also appreciate being able to arrive at an event, and not have to think too hard about what I have to do - it’s a great foil to the busy lives we all lead to be able to turn up, follow on, and just relax and enjoy it.
Martin - from a club POV I understand it can be a minefield, especially if people do things in contravention of the Highway Code.
for other responses- (purely my own views)
CBs - legally require licences (as I remember) but if there are ways of doing so with radio/bluetooth sounds good, may need fitting (holes in my dash??), need to be able to hear it (and turn down my ‘hairdresser’ playlist!) - and potentially interact with it whilst driving - might put off new people?
Roof Down Shouting? bring it on…
Printed instructions tend to require a co-pilot - especially on unknown roads, roof down, at speed - besides, a good navigator is, it seems, a pipe dream in my case…
Going Solo - for me, defeats the object of a 'club run’
Training people - this excludes new people, and surely attracts a cost?
Insurance - not sure it’s mentioned… will check mine…
Countryboy - rather than joining the Army, I was considering chaps, jeans, check shirt, stetson, chewing a match, shouting ‘ye-haw’ and driving a Peterbuilt… when I wasn’t strumming my banjo… but that darn truck just ain’t as much fun as a Miata… and by definition, you wouldn’t let me play in a truck, it’s not an MX5… particularly in that outfit…
Don’t mention trucks (HGV’s) driving in convoy, it’s hard enough getting on or off the M25 with mile upon mile of them driving nose to tail in the two inside lanes!
Mark, your inbox is full
If you want to be individual, why go on club runs with the MX5OC? - the one for the best selling 2 seater ever… and are disappointed you aren’t 'individual.
if you weren’t ‘individual enough’ on a Caterham rally, What bought you here?
Just my opinion obviously - hard to be a big fish in the biggest pond going…
MX5 was supposed to be inclusive not elitist…
Surely though the benefits of being an OC member; advice, expertise, information etc., are available to all? There is no rule that says you have to engage in “herd” situations and events just that you’ve paid your membership fee and abide by the actual rules.
To denigrate that it is is inclusive - "i don’t want to be in a group of more than 2 or 3’ - and claim cover under ‘we’re in it together’ - particularly with events like 2500 cars at Gaydon is surely disingenuous
Besides, to return to the post how does ‘feeling individual’ bring value to a post about ‘how to be one of many’?
Does that mean the OC should be “inclusively exclusive” or “exclusively inclusive”?
Mark, I wasn’t having a pop at you, just merely making the point that however hard we try it’s always hard finding the right balance to keep everyone happy. I’ll keep organising runs despite the occasional frustrations and snafus! It’s all part of the club experience
good to hear, and i agree, and freely admit i made one… 
so, to lead one…
I don’t go on Club runs; they’re not my thing for the reasons I have explained. But I’d support the right of others to do so .
I didn’t say I wasn’t individual enough (whatever that means) but expressed a preference for driving solo or in the company of one or two friends.
What brought me here ? Odd question - I bought an MX5 last month and have found there’s much expertise to be gained from any OC and it’s always rewarding to meet and speak to others with whom I share an interest.
Elitist? Hardly - not liking convoy drives is far from elitist - it is just expressing a preference . There isn’t a standard template for each member and like any club I am sure this one is , and should be , a broad church.
Plenty of cans opened on here in the past Mark, don’t worry.
CB’s are perfectly legal and require no license. On one large convoy this year to North Wales we chatted to Police about them.
Convoys will always have a hiccup or two, most people enjoy them, I do, and I also enjoy organising them, Bottom line, if everyone on the convoy knows where the end point is then it does not matter if they don’t have a passsenger or a CB, if they get split up they can just head there.
This year we have successfully used Google Maps, preparing a route using Way Points and then emailing it to all taking part who simply listened to their smart phones.
I well remember the follow the leader thing with an early Eastern run. I don’t think the guy in the petrol station appreciated a dozen or so MX5s going through the pumps in convoy. Where are you RR?
The club is there to cater for all sorts. I’ve found that on social runs, some are mostly interested in the driving experience for its own sake, some are interested in the destination and some are mainly interested in the social side and coffee (and loo) stops.
So trying to please everyone is no easy task; I admire those who go to a lot of effort to attempt to do so (thanks, Burton!).
i tend to fit more into the first group. My wife fits more into the second and last groups. I see driving as the fun part, my wife sees driving only as a means of reaching the destination, where the more enjoyable part of the outing begins for her.
i have another car, smaller, and more individual / quirky than my MX5 (it is also very capable off tarmac). My wife really doesn’t like travelling in it, but I can persuade her to come along if the weather is perfect and we are “going somewhere nice”. She would always prefer to go in the MX5 because it’s more comfortable / civilised for her to sit in. I’ve driven 50,000 miles in it since I built it, but most of it driven completely alone. These cars also have an owners’ group, with only forty five or so members (there are only 60 cars). On a run out, there are seldom many more than half a dozen cars taking part but we seldom plan with the intention to drive strictly in convoy, although it does often turn out that we travel together. We generally provide a suggested route, with rendezvous points, sometimes these are as far apart as the next night’s accommodation!
I have no objection to driving in convoy as long as all those taking part want to drive at a similar pace; the problems come when there are those that don’t wish to, or are unable to. Having once been ordered to lead a 200 vehicle military convoy from UK to Germany, with a planned average speed of only 20 mph, it’s not something I’d ever wish to do again.
John,
My comment on elitism wasn’t around the choice not to join group events, everyone should be able to engage in the way that suits them, and for the reason, be it social, for tech advice or whatever.
it was in response to the clan/exhibitionism/impressing the public comment, for me (though it may be different for others) it not about showing off, it’s nice to see number of them together.
With a bright yellow one, I’m fairly sure I’m seen as an exhibitionist regardless…
The MX5 having sold in the numbers it has, by default there will always be others similar at an event even with a limited edition, there were a few the same as mine at Gaydon.
I’m assuming that you meant the behaviour of the individuals was what was embarrassing, rather than having 3 identical cars?
I really hope you’re enjoying the MX5, and are getting what you want from the club…
A fair bit of negativity about convoys in this thread. It would be great to hear about some successful outings and what contributed to a positive experience.
We do 10 or so a year and have done for many years though they are supposed to be called touring car assemblies… or something. Make sure everyone knows where you’re going and programme in catch up points if people become detached. Drive within the law and never out of your comfort zone. We get 25 - 40% of our members ever actually come to anything in a year, that’s fine as everyone’s need from the club is different.