Post by Admin on Jul 24, 2017 13:41:53 GMT
Committee Meeting
Date: 6 June 2017
Present: Matt, Sally, Sue, Julie, Sue, Ian
Apologies: Paul, Peter
Minutes: Sarah
1. Matters arising from previous minutes.
The minutes were accepted as a true record.
Ian asked about the donation to the Air Ambulance. This action has not been completed as there is a query over which area to pay and the address of the offices to send the cheque.
Ian to find out the address
2. Committee Changes
Peter will be taking a back seat for a while due to unforeseen circumstances. During this time Sarah will take any minutes.
Paul has said that he will take over as treasurer. When Paul and Matt are both back from their respective holidays they will get together and sort out the paperwork etc.
3. Jumble Sale
Nothing to report
4. Club Audax
Matt reported that there had been several letters/emails saying how well those taking part had been treated both at headquarters and at the control stations.
Everyone agreed that the self-service had worked well in the morning.
Sue asked if it was necessary to have club members at the controls and whether it would be manageable without, especially due to the distance of some of the controls.
Julie suggested that in the clubhouse it might be worthwhile having shifts for those arranging the hospitality – this year there were members who were there solidly from 7am until after 10pm. This was agreed but also commented that more volunteers would be required to accommodate this.
Matt has spoken to the centre about getting a new cooker as the current oven is useless.
5. Thursday Rides
Ian reported that the numbers are increasing. There were 26 riders the previous week.
The group is being split as the recommended maximum size is 12 however the same riders are leading all the time and this seems unfair.
It was agreed in that a request for riders to step up as ride leaders and a request be made in the Newsletter.
Matt suggested that if the routes were recorded they could be downloaded from the website and then anyone who uses GPX could effectively lead the ride.
Ian indicated that with the group sizes increasing that it is important to ensure that riders are following the correct etiquette as this is not always the case.
It was agreed that a reminder of the correct group riding etiquette be included in the newsletter.
It was noted that the ‘C’ group can be quite hit and miss and there are not always leaders. Julie suggested that as most of the riders use social media anyone wanting to lead or ride an ‘unofficial ride’ could post on Facebook
6. Saturday Rides
It was noted that the slower groups ride co-ordinator has resigned .
To avoid having to have both a Slow & Fast co-ordinator a suggestion that a rolling program of destinations be put into place that all groups could go to. It was noted that there are some destinations that are too far for the slower groups so alternatives need to be offered and these will be indicated.
Suggestions of additional cafes were made.
Matt will put together a list and publish to the committee at the next meeting where the distances will be plotted and feasibility discussed.
Mary submitted a request that it be raised that Cafés need to be advised that we will be attending in order to ensure that they are prepared for the numbers of people who will be arriving. The request was noted
The trial for the start point in Sutton Park is due to finish at the end of September. Members will be canvassed for their opinions prior to the meeting in October when the results will be assessed.
Feedback received to date is that the majority seem ok with it and it does allow a little more flexibility in deciding in which direction to head. Some members have said they have to ride through the park to get to one of the gates so it doesn’t have too much impact. Some members have said they do not like it (but are prepared to trial it) others have refused to join rides that start in the centre of the park. Some riders have asked why we don’t start every ride in the park rather than including BSS as a start point (one rider did turn up to the Jamboree Stone when it was a Blake St meet)
Sue raised the issue that in winter months the park, unlike the roads would not be gritted and may run a risk of being icy.
John Bedford raised a proposal that some rides start at the edges of the conurbation rather than in the centre, it was agreed that again this would not suit everyone but that other start points could be trialled.
It was noted that where rides start in so many different places, potential riders who do not know about the website cannot just turn up on spec and must have knowledge of the website in order to know where the start point of rides are. One reason for the Bullets having so many riders maybe because they start from the same point every week and therefore potential new members know where to go.
7. Sunday Rides
Numbers have dropped right off and it was discussed whether or not Sunday rides should continue to be run in the current manner. There are occasions where there are no Group ‘C’ riders and ‘B’ rides have very depleted numbers and for some no ride leaders have volunteered.
It has been decided to leave it as it is and monitor the ride leader situation.
8. Wednesday rides
Sue said that Tony Wilson is waiting for a hip operation and that he is worried about rides on a Saturday and Wednesday. This was noted.
9. Marketing
Next phase of the Website to be developed. Matt will meet with Charlie (web developer)
Requests for photos will be made for inclusion on the Web Site
The option of using Google Groups was discussed. This would be rather like Strava but it allows messages to be sent to groups and bulletin boards and, when a member replies it replies to all
Ian suggested that a trial be undertaken with people who are willing to take part – Matt will add to newsletter
There was a question regarding Mudflaps and whether Dave had been sorted out with and money that he may be owed
Club apparel was discussed – Gillets & Long Sleeve tops for the winter. Ian said that he had bought a shirt that was reasonable and very comfortably sized. He will provide details of manufacturer.
10. Social
Velodrome – look into doing this for September after the Holiday season is over
Curry night – this was popular so another has been suggested for September
Ian suggested a Beer & Skittles
11. Any Other Business
Matt suggested a weekend trip be scheduled on the rides program to include an overnight in bunkhouse/Travelodge style accommodation.
The cyclist’s café was a great success and raised a good amount of money for charity. The provision of cakes, sandwiches etc for these events and the staffing to man the café needs to be provided by the charity that is organising and the co-ordinating members need to be prepared to take the Saturday out from their ride programme. Currently through Matt & Sarah we have contacts with Macmillan Cancer Support and another of these events has been organised for them in September. A further café will be organised in December as a Mince Pie ride, if we want to do this as a fundraiser for ourselves there will need volunteers to make cakes and man the kitchen. Need to ensure it is arranged on a different date to the Christmas Lunch at the Golf Club.
Date of next meeting 3rd October 8pm
Meeting closed at 9:30