AUK OFFICIALS' REPORTS 2000 Secretary It has been a relatively quiet twelve months, after the bustle, in 1999 of the last Paris-Brest-Paris of the millennium. Next year sees the Edinburgh-London for the fourth time; you will be aware that a lot of preparation for this is already underway. The brilliant idea of Graham Mills was to offer a special SR2000 award for this year only. Congratulations to those who achieved it. Publicity has been a low-key effort for a couple of years. Ray, our membership secretary now reports that the membership increase is down to 1% this year. While I am aware that some members believe AUK is already too large, there are others who point to the economic advantages (which can translate to benefits for all members) of a membership of around 5000. Your comments are welcome. AUK is a large club which continues to be run by relatively few unpaid volunteers. The computer systems developed and overseen by Francis have made this possible, despite a huge calendar of events. All the current committee members are happy to stand for re-election this year. Or to put it another way, no-one else is daft enough to want their jobs. But do not be shy of putting your name forward if you want to help; the more active members we have, the better the club. I shall look forward to seeing many of you at the AGM. Ian Hennessey Treasurer year to 31/8/00 The accounts (in Arrivee) show that the finances of the club continue to remain in a very healthy position. Our venture into the clothing market has been successful mainly due to the hard work and discount negotiating skills of Pam Pilbeam. As you will see from the figures we are now holding larger stocks of medals and together with the excellent working arrangements we have with our new supplier we hope to minimise supply delays. I make my annual plea for members to take out the commuted membership scheme (the numbers taking advantage have fallen slightly this year) It does save time for both the Membership Secretary and myself. My thanks to organisers for their care in completing the returns form. Surprisingly some still do not take advantage of the 10% discount on Medal sales. My recommendations are that there are no changes to the present levels of dues for Subscriptions, Honoraria, Validation and Card Production. As always I will be happy to hear from any member wanting further amplification or clarification of the figures. DKB DKB Membership Secretary Overall membership increased by just one per cent in the year ending August, the lowest rate of growth for some years. To some extent this might be expected in the year following PBP, when interest was very high. Renewal rates were fairly high, so it seems that slowing of growth is mainly because we have gained fewer new members than past trends might suggest. The poor summer may also have played a part, as may the continuing effect of increasing the enrolment fee two years ago. While there must be some sort of natural limit to the numbers of cyclists wishing to ride long distance events, it is important to ensure that we continue to attract new members as well as encouraging existing members to renew. With this in mind, it is worth looking at the figures. Most striking is the age-spread. While it is no surprise to find that we attract large numbers of ‘mature’ riders, perhaps we ought to be concerned that fewer than 5 per cent are under 30. It would be to the long-term health of the club if we could attract more younger riders. Is there perhaps an image problem here? AUK is associated in many people’s minds with an older age group. This goes together with our touring associations and, among other things, with the mudguard rule. Audax has an established appeal for older riders, but we have much to offer, too, to younger people who may already be leisure cyclists or occasional racers, but are attracted to riding in a group and to the challenge of wider horizons. This is worth remembering when we share our enthusiasm with others. Don’t forget that you can always photocopy the membership form in the handbook, or ask me to send you some leaflets to give out at the clubroom or leave at the local bike shop. I owe much this year to the computer expertise of Julian Beach, whose technical grasp and enthusiastic work in developing, among other things, the personalised renewal forms has been invaluable. Julian will continue to handle renewals for 2001, but we shall miss David Palfreyman, who is stepping down after a good stint on the membership team. His place will be taken by Peter South. Thanks go also to Armorel Young who will again be handling sales of the Handbook/Calendar next year. Francis Cooke continues to support and advise us, and is beginning to introduce important changes which will enhance the service provided to members. Ray Smith Event Secretary This was an excellent year, especially post-PBP. The number of events increased by about the most ever – 44 – to 378, and the number of Organisers to 168. Many thanks to all of you, and to the Helpers who make it all possible. There seems to be a lot of new interest in organising, judging by the number of packs that have gone out: if they all come to fruition we could see another good growth for 2001 We need more spread through the UK, and more spread through the year: it is possible to run a 400 in September, or even October (as one Organiser has proven). Please get in touch with me if you fancy running some events. We now have a scheme for covering the Organisers of longer (above 200km) and new events against financial loss. The figures for 2000 are: Cat. ‘50’ 100+ †150+ 200+ †300+ 400+ 500+ 600+ 1000+ Totals BP 30 143 41 — — — — — — 214 BR — — — 93 15 11 9 3 — 131 BRM — — — 14 9 5 — 4 1 33 Totals 30 143 41 107 24 16 9 7 1 378 †includes Arrows and Darts. Although the BPs have increased considerably, and 200s are up, the longer rides are fewer – in spite of the 500s in for this year. Please! – we do need more 400s and 600s especially (I’ve had a lot of rides on Perms by people who can’t get to/haven’t the weekend off for 500s and 600s, and even 400s have proved difficult). If you can run long events we can cover you for the up-front costs for a year or two, to see if it’s viable. Peter Coulson Publications Manager You may have noticed over the past couple of Arrivée issues that, with the increasing power of personal computers, we are at last able to reproduce full A4 sized colour pictures of reasonable quality, so please bear in mind portrait-shaped cover pics when taking your action photos. Apart from some minor style changes, this is the only advance we’ve made this year. We’ve continued with the colour centre pages, paid for in part by increased advertising revenue, brought in by Tim Wainwright who has actively sought out new advertisers. Reflecting its sale to the general public, the Handbook has been enlarged to include advice, provided by Simon Doughty. Thanks to all our contributors, Quorum Technical Services, and Ray Smith who produces the address sheets. Sheila Simpson International Events Undoubtedly THE foreign ride that everybody wanted to do in 2000 was L’Étape du Tour, famously incorporating the notorious Mont Ventoux this year. I know that some of you were disappointed not to get an entry because the maximum numbers allowed by the organisers had already been reached by the middle of March: 7500. However, with hindsight, and given the arctic weather conditions on the day, you may thank your lucky stars that you were spared what appears to have been one ordeal too far for thousands of riders. I implore those of you who were there to write to ARRIVEE of your experiences (heroics or sob stories) of that memorable July day. L’Étape du Tour 2000 is is certain to become a legend. Will you be able to tell your grandchildren: I was there! Along with almost 700 (yes, seven hundred British riders!), by far the largest group of non-French participants (1000 in total). Compare that with only 12 (twelve!) Dutch riders, even less than the Japanese with 15. Of course, the Tommy Simpson connection with the Ventoux made this event a virtual pilgrimage for many Brits. Chapeau to all of them! Many other millennium events also enjoyed enthusiastic British participation: Rome-Bergamo, L’Ardéchoise (up from 1 ‘lucky’ Brit in 1999 to 3), Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, to name but a few. In general, the growth of large-scale international events with significant commercial sponsoring appears to continue, whilst there has been a significant drop (25%) in the number of smaller, (and therefore by market definitions) less successful rides. One of the attractions of the big events is their safety aspect, with roads either entirely or partially closed to car traffic. If you don’t fancy taking part in international ‘races’ of this nature, but would just like to sample their flavour and ‘ambience’, there are often accompanying, shorter rides for cyclotouristes. Personally I had a lousy, zero-active cycling season in 2000 due to a slipped disc. I am very grateful for the words of encouragement I have received from members. One or two of you (with painful experiences themselves!) have even sent me drawings of suitable exercises to do, or nutritional advice. Despite my greatly reduced cycling activity and inability to attend AUK Committee Meetings and AGM’s for the time being, I am happy to continue to do the ‘job’ if members want me to. Len de Vos E-mail: len@lendevos.freeserve.co.uk Tel: 01564 774503 Systems Manager This is a rather long report - my apologies, but it touches on issues which may be of concern to some. Very many people contribute towards the functioning of AUK - committee members, organisers, and other shadowy figures who volunteer time and skills. Most of my time now goes towards finding ways to get everyone to 'network' efficiently and without duplication of effort, which is something I abhor. To this end, the AUK website has been moved to new, commercial (as opposed to 'free') webspace, backed by industrial-strength data and security facilities. Some of the implications of this are very long-term - I don't suggest a timescale - but the first small changes, such as the new audax.uk.net e-mail addresses, are already on stream as I write, and more should become evident before the end of this year. This is not really about 'web pages', its about: a) fuller and smoother liaison between those people working for AUK that need to mesh together. b) giving Organisers better access to our processes. c) giving Members better access to our processes. d) giving the global randonneur movement appropriate access to our processes. If all this seems a bit meaningless to you, I think I can best explain by describing a sort of '10 years on' scenario - so if you're all sitting comfortably, then I'll begin. Some of these things are achievable within 12 months - some are happening right now. The Calendar, instead if being a yearly production, becomes a continuous list of events with a past, a present and a future - you can view it on your mobile phones and on your TV screens. For 6 months or so into the future, the list is 'solid' and cast in stone - further into the future, organisers are still adjusting details such as start times and control locations. Further ahead still, lies the chaotic area where organisers are posting their future plans and haggling with each other for the best dates. Each event of course has a 'detail' view, with route sheet, maps, profile, entry form and other information - how much detail, or how little, is down to the individual organisers. Scrolling backwards - for any event that has already taken place, you'll see the 'results sheet' showing who rode successfully. You can pick your name from the results sheet and print off a nice decorative 'certificate' signed by the Venerable Validations Secretary. The raw material for all this comes direct from the individual organisers, shortly after the completion of each event. Some of these 'results' are required by ACP for their PBP qualification so there's a direct link established for this information. Or, more likely, our results are passed on to a global RM archive, based in the USA. In the contentious area of points-chasing and championships, all the calculations for the various categories and awards are handled automatically by 'Big Brother' and of course the interim position at any part of the season is always on view - so no arguments! Again, you can print off your personal end-of-season 'Super Randonneur' and '30 points' certificates. Membership applications and renewals can of course be handled by online credit facilities, along with sales of clothing and other AUK paraphernalia. You can access and adjust your own personal data via a password-protected system, for example when you change club, or BT changes the phone codes yet again. It follows that the online data, both Membership and Calendar, has become the central resource to which the committee must work. Now - back to the present - some of you reading this may have concerns about security, confidentiality, DPA issues or loss of control. If so, let's hear them. The recent publication of interim points lists etc on the web has not met with universal approval. Finally I should add, there is a significant brake acting on this 'progress' - its a very steep learning curve for me and we don't really have the expertise to match these high-tech facilities. I have co-opted Simon Ward as a deputy Systems Manager for his specialist knowledge in these areas. Francis Cooke ACP/AUK/LRM Correspondant A quieter year than 1999 [hardly surprising] but plenty of post PBP matters to attend to. January saw a trip to Paris [no cost to AUK] to attend on AUK’s behalf the Audax Club Parisien’s 1999 PBP prize giving ceremony. Helped the ACP committee set up and [later] dismantle the facilities at the hall hired for the above; exchanged information with committee members and those Randonneurs Mondiaux correspondants present; discussed the 2003 PBP with the new organiser, and ACP President, Pierre Theobald; [report made to AUK committee]; interpreted for among others, Bob Lepertel, members of Willesden and our chairman Rocco who presented an AUK cup to Bob. Brought back to the UK some PBP booklets, medals, brevet cards, videos and tops posted at ACP expense from here; also cups and medals won by AUK clubs and individuals. [Arms permanently longer and legs even shorter than before the trip]. Since then a steady stream of work: liaising between AUK, ACP and LRM [in particular the LRM President and Vice President], correcting PBP 99 brevet card errors, tracing the addresses of foreign riders our members wished to contact, arranging for the supply of PB photographs, shirts and videos. At the time of writing ACP Brevet 5000 applications are about to be forwarded to Paris and in due course the calendar of AUK BRM events for 2001 will follow. I have also assisted our Treasurer in setting up our new bank account with the Credit Agricole in Paris and in settling invoices received from ACP. And have supplied translations for AUK members. At present I am trying to arrange for Peter South to have his proposed 2001 rides in Majorca accepted by the Spanish Correspondant and entered in the international calendar. And a French speaking volunteer has come forward to act as 'understudy' in answer to my appeal. Finally, many thanks to those who have expressed their appreciation to AUK and the committee for work undertaken for the 99 PBP. Makes the job worthwhile. Noel Simpson Validation Secretary It seems the bird has been resting this year, although the total number of brevets validated is only 192 less than last year,the rides of 200Km. and over are down on 1999, while the shorter rides have shown an increase This may be because members were mile eating in 1999 in preparation for the P.B.P. The weather has not helped this year, a lot of events which had attracted large fields had them depleted on the day by D N S and D N F. However the table below will show how the number of rides this year compares with those validated in 1999 50Km 100Km 150Km 200Km 300Km 1999 0335 5627 1134 3801 1085 2000 0536 6338 1296 3528 0684 A.U.K 167 3391 740 3082 617 % BY AUK 31% 56% 57% 87% 90% 400Km 500Km. 600Km 1000Km Total 1999 0979 0000 0572 0000 13533 2000 0462 0231 0245 0021 13341 A.U.K 419 219 237 21 % BY AUK 91% 95% 97% 100% The list also shows how many of the validated rides were done by members of A.U.K.,by number and percentage, it illustrates the fact that none members seem to ride just the shorter events. Approx 3000 of these brevets were also validated by A.C.P. Lists of S.R. and S.R.2000, have been generated by Francis Cooke's magic computer, together with points lists etc.for individuals, clubs and DAs identifying all the award winners, these lists will appear elswhere. I have continued to distribute medals, badges,and deal with claims for the various awards, although I have been helped in dealing with these claims by Neville Holgate. Neville will be taking this section over as from now and he will be holding all award medals and badges, while I will continue to deal with the distance and grimpeur medals, badges, and also date bars. Bernard Mawson Permanents Validation Secretary Permanents Secretary. Another year, another mile or two. This year there was no PBP but as in 1996 there was no fall back in rides completed, the number was in fact up slightly from 568 to 598. It is noticeable that the Permanents ridden tended to be longer this year as generally riders appeared to be completing their SR2000 series. New routes offered were from Andy Corless with more long & often hilly routes in the North of England & South of Scotland. Lorraine Brown’s version of the National 400 was popular amongst the Scots. Bob Thomas and Linda Johnston have introduced some cross channel PROFs to tie in with ferries. Graham Mills & Simon Ward have also produced new routes around North Wales & Yorkshire respectively. Once again the Mesh series provided by Peter Coulson, Sheila Simpson & Simon Ward proved the most popular. Other routes which this year received rare completions and deserve to receive more were the Bryan Chapman 600 and the Lowestoft – Ardnamurchan 1000. The mile eaters this year are headed once again by Steve Abraham with 174 points in 28 rides, most notably 1000km rides on 5 consecutive weekends in the spring. Other notable tallies were: Chris Hopkinson with 69 points in 36 rides including many grimpeur events. John Evans with 58 points from 13 rides including a SR 2000 series in a week. Dave Randerson, 54 points in 12 rides, the highlight being a randonneur speed End to End. George Berwick also 54 points in 25 rides including a war of attrition with the elements completing the Round Britain Relays early in the year and becoming only the 3rd person to do so. Peter Mennicke also reached 50 points steadily but quietly. The best of the ladies was Debra Hargreaves with 36 points from 9 rides including a randonneur End to End in company with Dave Yates. Finally I can only assume that it was the recent inclement weather which accounted for the Chairman and his minder completing a 70km permanent. Duncan Peet