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nothing like enough younger (by this I mean middle aged) people are coming forward to replace them
Possibly people are riding for longer, but we also had something of a lost generation before the current cycling boom, so fields are thick with 40-somethings but there's a very sharp drop off in age groups much above that. As a club (and we're not unique in this) we expect any member who regularly rides our club events to make themselves available several times per season to assist in the running of the events.
gbj_tester-
The Hounslow expects all members to help at our events, but we do feel that our riders who are competing seriously should not be called on to do much marshalling.
Earlier today I had a conversation with some people who are from another side of my life and have nothing to do with cycling, although they are of my geriatric age group. They complained of exactly the same problems with other community groups (eg residents) in which they are involved.
This conversation supports a growing suspicion of mine that my demographic may be the last which is prepared to give its time freely to group activities. I very much hope I'm wrong about this.
If we had to pay professional organisers (and marshals) how much would it cost to enter a 25? I guess a starting figure would be at least £100.
clubman
Peter Carter is absolutely right. (post 12456)
The Hounslow has just lost its main timekeeper-he's retired, and we are struggling to get replacements to time our club events programme.
We will get though this season, just about, but I'm not sure about the future. Many traditional clubs are now in the position that the members who were doing nearly all the work (not just timekeeping) are getting to the point where they are just too old to carry on, but nothing like enough younger (by this I mean middle aged) people are coming forward to replace them.
It's not just us - it seems to be a general problem.