LFGSS CC - LFGSS Cycle Club

I sent an email to the people at the Stratford Velodrome enquiring about club sessions, in the hope that next year we can run some LFGSS track days in the indoor velodrome.

Haven't heard back yet, but the enquiry form specifically asked about which club this was for, how many club members, etc, etc.

And so the question is raised: Should LFGSS be registered as a cycle club with British Cycling?

I have no intention of competing with the role of other clubs, if LFGSS has a club at all then it would merely be to offer people a banner to ride under when participating in events, and to offer groups a banner to use to access facilities such as the velodrome.

I would still strongly encourage anyone wanting to race to join a club that will support them: VCL, London Dynamo, etc.

But... if you really just want to dip your toes in, try things out, and like the thought of LFGSS running a club to help and assist bringing people into sport, a real grass roots thing to simply promote cycling and give people the opportunity to sample various events under a banner that really doesn't imply or suggest anything else than "Fuck it, this will be a laugh"... then maybe there is space in the world for an LFGSS cycle club.

And if we have LFGSS track days at the velodrome, or anything that resembles a club ride, it should be noted that none of our events would be exclusive (anyone from any club can join in), and I'd regard membership of the forum to be enough to just take part. We'd remain a hub and umbrella, I'm not seeking division, just access to facilities.

The question is: If we do it, is there interest in it?

And there's been talk of a club strip. But I'm very much in favour of showing that we aren't serious, of being under-stated, and of proudly communicating that we're independent and free of sponsors. A plain black strip, with no adornments or complex design, and a simple LFGSS logo in small sized on the left chest area. Just a jersey, bring any black shorts you already own.

So, who would want to be a member of such a club?

[update]

We're going to do it. It will be a CASC non-profit club, affiliated with British Cycling and Cycling Time Trials. It is aimed at over-18s only, so that there is no bureaucratic burden on event organisers and volunteers.

The club will be called "LFGSS" or "LFGSS CC", and we will produce club kit at an affordable price. The club itself will be free or very cheap to be a member of (pending detailed economic projections to see if we can afford to make it free).

We started a list, to determine roughly how many people are interested in the club, the info on the list is here: http://www.lfgss.com/thread112693-5.html#post3794620

Nah, not keen

If it means access to the indoor velodrome, count me in.

^this is rather unlikely without paying for it.

Think it's a great idea.

in

If it means access to the indoor velodrome, count me in.

^this is rather unlikely without paying for it.

All facilities are likely to require fees to access them. The difference is simply will they rent out the velodrome to a mob off the internet, or a BC registered cycle club with a declared goal of encouraging people to take up the sport?

I'd run the club as cheaply as possible, and not burden people with undue costs, but the expectation is that when events require a participation fee to cover costs you'd be paying for those.

I wouldn't join as i'm already a member of a club,but i think it's a great idea to try and secure the velodrome for forum use.

A club can easily being self-organising; rollapaluza members use a forum to sort out club runs and kit orders and while slightly chaotic it works well enough.
All velocio should need to do it make sure the club is affiliated with BC, CTT etc so members can race in their choosen discipline.

you can be a member of multiple clubs - you just stipulate a 'first claim' club who you race for then 'second claim club' who you a just a member with.

I think this has the potential to open more doors to LFGSS people than to create problems. I'd encourage it.

I think Cycling Time Trials affiliation is only £20 which would allow people entry into time trial events. BC affiliation is probably more expensive - how would it be paid for?

Who would be the club officials - secretary etc?

I think this has the potential to open more doors to LFGSS people than to create problems. I'd encourage it.

I think Cycling Time Trials affiliation is only £20 which would allow people entry into time trial events. BC affiliation is probably more expensive - how would it be paid for?

Who would be the club officials - secretary etc?

The fees look dead cheap unless I'm missing something. A few set price fees for affiliation, and that's it.

As for club officials, I'm going for the most decentralised and disorganised thing out there... I'd only seek a couple of volunteers to ensure that we were above board and at least barely functioning.

Club jerseys would be sold, but those would be kept very reasonable, I'd hope that if my estimation that the costs are low is right that the club could be fully funded just from a few simple jerseys and the caps.

The club really would have few ambitions, we'd open the door to get people participating in events and using facilities, but we'd only act as a springboard and anyone looking for more I'd be encouraging to join a club that would really support them.

Sounds like a good idea to me - I'm sure more than one of us has used the forums name in the club-box on entry forms before anyway & access to the club-only events calendar for things like CTT would be quite helpful...

All facilities are likely to require fees to access them. The difference is simply will they rent out the velodrome to a mob off the internet, or a BC registered cycle club with a declared goal of encouraging people to take up the sport?

yeah I understand, I think it is good that this has been said though to prevent impression that 'if lfgss will be a cc, we will get a free stratford access', which eventually somebody would start to get.

Sounds like a logical progression to me.

In!

Already a member of one club but would join just to support! Great idea VB, the more clubs the better imho. People need support and encouragement and it's frustrating racing/riding alone.

If you want to start a club.. start a club.

But the argument that you 'need' to do this just so we can use the Velodrome is a clear false convergence.

From the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority website
http://www.visitleevalley.org.uk/en/content/cms/london2012/after-the-games/

The Authority is working closely with other groups to ensure that as many people as possible get to enjoy its London 2012 venues over the coming decades

This “open to all” philosophy will carry through to the activities available at Lee Valley VeloPark and Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, which will offer a range of programmes aimed at diverse community groups, ages and all kinds of athletes, from grassroots to elite.

We qualify for all of the above in spades.. Justify your idea to replace the forum with a 'club' on its own merits (which only seem to be having a nice looking kit)

p.s: You probably should decide what to call your 'club' before designing kit.

^this is rather unlikely without paying for it.

Yes I know that I'd have to pay dues to a club and session fees. Jesus, I'm not -completely- thick.

**If you liked 2010's "LFGSS PRESENTS: DESIGN BY COMMITTEE" then you'll love this years new summer box office smash "LETS START A CYCLING CLUB" **

just sit back and....

In.

Sounds good to me.

In any case, I will be joining Scoble at BRAKE ARE DEATH CC as soon as he gets the paper work together.

But - any jersey with chevrons on it, and I'm out.

^ Or unicorns?

just sit back and....

Nah. I'd dictate the basic mission, structure and design, it would be done end-to-end in a very short time, and ride roughshod over the opinions of others.

I've already stated pretty much what it would be like... minimal, for all definitions of the word.

It would simply be there, for people to choose to use, to allow access to greater resources (facilities) and to be a springboard for those who get a taste and will progress to other clubs.

It's an understated grass-roots thing, a banner to give people the means to do things that they might not otherwise have done, very easy to join, very little investment required.

All systems, operations, merchandise, etc will be the bare minimum.

People won't get a say in that.

What people will get a say in, and absolute control of, is how they choose to use it. As in, "this is what it is" will be done, and "this is what you can do" is something you all get to answer however you want.

I'd rather people focus less on the club, and more on riding, events, doing stuff.

And that stuff is for people to self-organise as it is today, the only difference is that you'd have a BC affiliated club name to use should that make a difference to the event needs.