November 25, 2008 , Fox and Hounds Tavern
MINUTES
In attendance: Hal, Colin, Tomek, Ian
Minutes by Ian with contributions by Hal
Last season – All
- 9 events
- Turn out ranged from good to great (Altona and Woodhaven noted as great)
- More women riding
- Some new/first-time riders, including some drawn from Cross Labs
- Fortunate to have good weather for most events
- Double cross good in some ways, but not that many riders did both events. Noted that this could be a simple of fact of people not being available on both days, and the fact that there were 2 races may not have mattered.
- Some environmental guilt expressed by race organizers re: throwing out plastic race tape. Decided to (1) promote Safeway’s plastic recycling program (to do: Ian) and (2) investigate cloth/reusable/biodegradable tape options (to do: Tomek)
- Discussion about starting the season earlier and/or Spring series. General feeling was that the current length of season is good and that Fall is traditional 'cross season. There was interest in maybe adding a couple of races thereby lengthening the season, but the emphasis should be on putting on quality races and not quantity numbers of races. Any additional races should not interfere with Mountain Bike Provincials or the Fall Classic. Also, Spring is very busy with both road and mountain bike races and Spring 'cross races might add too much to the picture.
- Email MCA Road Coordinator to contact Saskatchewan road coordinator to possibly coordinate double cross weekends, leaving weekends open so racers can attend each other's events (to do: Hal)
Cross Labs – Hal
- Generally happy with results
- Discussion about focus on quality, not quantity =
- 1 weeknight ride would be sufficient
- End rides when time changes in fall
- Consider partnering with a qualified coach to supplement sport mentorship offered by current MUCR riders
- Discussion about adding value by organizing a one-day CX training camp with sessions on training, stretching, cold weather cycling, CX bike tuning/maintenance, etc. (to do: Cross lab/training camp committee) Could be supported by revenue from a Bingo.
- Discussion about having some labs be short course/time races - maybe on Saturdays
Series – Tom and Colin
- Yes, a series would be good.
- Colin agreed to administer (to do: Colin)
- Goal of series would be to promote participation in multiple CX events.
- Riders who complete a certain threshold of races (e.g. 6 of 9 or 5 of 8) would receive a participation prize (e.g. a MUCR beer mug). Could be given out at Belgian Club, if this was one of the last events of the year. Could be supported by Series sponsors, by a contribution from race organizers, or could be subsidized with support from a Bingo.
- For each race a rider completes, their name would be entered once into a season-end draw for a large prize. (to do: MUCR Series committee)
Clothing order – All
- Agreement to pursue a second clothing order on March 15th, 2009.
- Clothing orders could be taken via email, and at the proposed January MUCR meeting (which could include borrowing a Champ Sys sizing kit). (to do: Hal)
- Everyone very happy with clothing.
Website – Hal
- Web site worked well at a basic level.
- Could be made better through multiple/more open contributors
- Use blog and Google calendars more effectively
- New page template suggested (to do: Tomek)
- Encouraging more contributors (to do: Hal)
New Sport Development Ideas – Ian
- Grass track racing – discussed and approved. To be promoted for inclusion on the MCA calendar (to do: Ian)
- New venues – possibility at Fort Whyte. To be investigated and promoted to clubs as an opportunity (to do: Tomek)
- New events – discussion and agreement to leave event organization to clubs.
New Business
- FUCR – discussion of amending jersey somehow for out of province riders. Decided better to leave as is (since people in Ontario seemed willing to wear it).
- Claiming a membership – discussion of importance of being able to count people as members. Agreement to pursue -- proposal: create ‘union cards’. $2 for a lifetime membership. No real benefits for members except a snazzy card. Funding used to support CX development (maybe we could direct to web site hosting?). Design cards (to do: Tomek), look into issues of holding personal information (to do: Ian)
- Outreach to sponsors – Half pints, Mondragon and Belgian Club – agreement we should (in the spring, perhaps) try to meet with all of our supporters on their terms (e.g. show up as an agenda item on their regular meetings (to do: Tom (Mondragon) and Ian (Half Pints and Belgian Club)
Next meeting:
- A meeting open to all interested cyclocross riders/supporters to be held in late January. Location TBD, but could be Mondragon or Belgian Club. (to do: Hal)
- Invite new MCA Road Coordinator to the meeting
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