The concept of inviting members to join you on walks in your area is brilliant, so much better than just using the site for online dating. It used to be a little more proactive before coronavirus, but since then there have been very few invitations. There seems to be a constant stream of new members joining, but maybe the lack of existing invitations is making them see the site as purely for online dating rather than a great opportunity to meet up with new friends with similar interests. I don't mind hosting more in the Lakes but it is a long way for many members to travel to. Maybe it's worth offering at least 2 days of activity so making the trip worthwhile, or even a week of walks?

Wild Adventuress: Certainly making an invitation for more than one day makes it worthwhile for people to travel. I'm running my Arran trip again in May and that lasts a week, each yerar there's been between 20 and 30 participants and it looks like being the same in 2025. So, perhaps more thja just a single day could not be the full answer but it could help.

I'm not sure what attracts members to join an invitation but in early September this year I led a walk from Castleton in the Peak District and about 12 members joined in. Despite the weather we had a great day.

Hi everyone, I’m a new member and I was likewise disappointed that the invites weren’t attracting larger numbers. I’d have liked to have joined a large group walk, for example. However, from my perspective, I’d prefer a shorter, smaller activity to start with if I were the only other person, or one of a couple, to turn up.

Meeting people on an invitation is a great way to meet, I've made some very good friends and at some point I may meet that special person. One thing for certain, it's beats the candle lit dinner when you're half way through the soup and you're wondering if you could climb out the toilets window 🤣😂
So, come on the new members and try out joining in an invitation

I offered a one-day guided walk in the Lakes before Covid, and loads of people turned up. I offered a day's navigation training in 2023 and no-one asked to come, but perhaps I chose an unfavourable time of year (autumn). I'm offering the same thing again in early 2025: let's see what happens.

No-one has ever approached me romantically!

I think that we are still suffering from Covid, Covid changed so much with the restrictions on travel and meeting in groups, people looked for more local groups and OD has suffered by this.
Winter is generally quieter on OD so let's hope for a real revival in the Spring.

True Roland. But when the site first started Invites were slow to take off. I think John is right. Covid made people reluctant to interact.
There are new members all the time, and we're advertising in the new year, so hopefully even more.
Notably younger members do not seem to want to go on group events, so maybe there's and age difference too.

Wild Adventuress: In the past a week with days that members could drop into as their schedule allowed worked well, and recently JohnH's Arran week has proved popular despite the drive and ferry costs. I think longer periods can help people justify travel costs.

Blondelass: Finding you're the only other person can be worrying if your about to trek off to lonely places with some hairy bloke (not mentioning any names Roland ;-)

I did try to get a few that I know to come on my walk but non were available.
Regarding being the only other person on a walk, at least it is only company for the day.
It is clear to me that the majority of members of Outdoor Duo choose to only to date and not go to any invites, even before covid. That seems far more risky with greater expectations.

Roland_C: Hello,
Endured a few injuries if late,but Cannock Chase in the Spring.With all good wishes

landranger68: Hi , that would be of interest. Busy for most of March.

Roland_C: Hi Roland ,April also.