Veteran Leaguer - LVRC

2. By the executive committee. That the rules of racing be changed to those proposals published in the VL Spring 2011 and on the
website at the same time. In fact these changes correct some anomalies and reflect today's conditions. Whilst the meeting agreed with
the proposition in general they passed the motion with the provisio that the executive committee reconsider Rule 13 regarding bunch
sizes.
3. By Region 9 that the race entry to be raised to £10.00 to counter the increased cost of driving expensed/changing rooms and first aid
provision . Motion For 14 against 8 abstained 6. Motion carried.
4. By Mike Amery that the question "how many events does your club promote every year" be removed from the entry form as it is
ambiguous. Motion carried executive committee to amend.
Motions 5 and 8 were ruled out of order as no one was present to speak on them.
7. Proposed Mike Allen, seconded Derrick Woodings. That provision be made in the rules for a proper disputes procedure to be followed
when necessary after races and to consider whether there should be additional rules to cater for the situation of multiple races on
a course at one time and faster races catching slower races. The meeting instructed the executive to sort this out at their next meeting.
Any other business
The Events Coordinator to find out the dates of the BC Masters Championships (if any) so there are no clashes with our championships.
The Meeting closed with a vote of appreciation to the executive for all the work they put in.
Next AGM meeting date to be confirmed but around same time as 2011.
Action Summary
1. Exec to reconsider rule 13 changes. 12/10/11. This is now done and for clarity Championship events should have a minimum bunch
size of 10. All other events covered by Rule / Recommendation 6 in the Organisation and Safety Manual where minimum bunch sizes are
recommended as 20. No further action required.
2. Delete from entry form "how many events does you club organise"
3. Exec to consider dispute procedure after races and the situation where a faster race catches a slower race on at the same time.
4. Events coordinator to consider and BC Championship dates when setting LVRC date.
Chairman’s Review
I think its always useful to occasionally remind ourselves why we exist and particularly so when reviewing how our the current year has
gone.
So --- the formal reason for our existence states ---
"The provision of a programme of competitive and social cycling events for male and female members of 40 years of age and over."
Overall I think we do pretty well.
Overall I believe we do pretty well against that objective and what you will hear at the agm will support that view I hope.
As in previous years I am pleased to report another successful years racing for our members with still more to come. At the start of the
year we had a race calendar of 140 races plus the Track Championships and the Cyclo Cross events . That is roughly the same as last year
and seems to be about right for the size of organisation we are. On behalf of all members and riders a big thank you to all organisers
and their helpers for this fantastic effort.
Road 50% -- Closed circuit 50%
Over the year we have lost a few of those races, one or two through lack of entries perhaps one or two due to police objection but most
depressing of all was one in Yorkshire.
Alistair Cameron's original police application was rejected, he then took them at his own expense and with some help from the region
through a process to Judicial review because he thought the police objection was illegal. He won his argument at Judicial Review but
then had to cancel the whole thing anyway because he could not get enough people to come out and help! How ironic and sad id
that.
In 2011 We also lost the Bill Butterworth mid week promotions for the LVRC at Hillingdon. Bill took some trouble to explain to me this was
because he had got fed up with doing it almost alone. The races are still being run - for the over forties but under the BC banner because
he get s the full support of the Hillingdon British Cycling orientated infrastructure to support him. You can draw your own conclusions
from these stories but mine are that we will only continue to thrive if we help ourselves and we must therefore be continually vigilant
that we encourage and make it as easy as possible for new organisers to come forward all the time - and then support them properly.
That's down to everybody in the regions as well as us in the centre.
All the events I rode were generally well organised with one or two exceptions that we got away with - just! The exec team is determined
and focussed on doing everything it can to promote safe racing and we are prepared to take a hard line and spend money where its
required.
This may lead to the loss of one or two organisers but if that is the case - so be it. Rider safety must be paramount in all our race
promotions.
For the first time this year we are having to cope with a formal complaint from a rider about the organisation of a race from a number
of different aspects including safety. That is ongoing but it clearly emphasises the need for ever increasing vigilance on safety and
remembering what our fundamental objectives are.
We also have had three complaints recently from Parish Councils commenting on and complaining about road use, standards of riding
etc and w ear dealing with these. It does however emphasise the need for constant awareness of standards of behaviour in the widest
possible sense.
Some organisers also seem to be forgetting that prizes should reflect age group results in the first instance and then the overall race
results if finances allow. We must take some action to emphasise that aspect to our whole organisation and clearly this is fully aligned
with our stated objectives.
External relations
I have maintained personal contact with various individuals in BC and TLI and certainly we and TLI have agreed to be as mutually
supportive as possible and there is a good working relationship between the two organisations. The same cannot quite be said for BC
who whilst acknowledging the value we add - and we have their President riding our races, still do not want to recognise us officially as
a valid organisation in the sport. I reported more fully in the last VL on that issue no more need be said.
Finances
Ian will provide more detail – but we are in a strong position. The invitation to regions to invest in electronic timing equipment still
stands - and we will help finance. We are still waiting for uptake however. I feel the main blocker to making this technology more widely
available is the need for a nominated individual to be guardian of the equipment on a local basis . And therein lies the difficulty - very
few people actually want to do anything for the greater good.
The Veteran Leaguer: Autumn 2011 Page 7