IVCA renewals/new members

Beasty

I know one or two people were considering joining up for 2016. They are now taking applications - see www.ivca.info for more details

Applications for racing membership close on 1 February. In addition they are introducing a cheaper option which allows racing in TTs and on the track, but not "full" RRs.

Anyone wishing to join up for the first time needs to nominate a couple of referees either from existing IVCA members or from their current club.

Derrydingle

The 100 euro extra if you cant help out with the wicklow 200 is a bit over the top some people would be doing it and also a lot of people would be away on holidays too at that time of year

Beasty

I agree, but will probably pay it (although they have increased it significantly this time). They argue the WW200 is their main money raising event each year. They need the members to turn out to support it and help retain its popularity. They also said insurance was increasing racing fees.

They tend to keep quiet about the €172k they had in the bank at the last balance sheet date mind!

Wishbone Ash

Derrydingle wrote: »

The 100 euro extra if you cant help out with the wicklow 200 is a bit over the top some people would be doing it...

But there wouldn't be a WW200 for those people to do if the IVCA didn't have their members to run it. It's the same with any club tour - those helping out to facilitate others can't do it themselves.

Derrydingle

Wishbone Ash wrote:

But there wouldn't be a WW200 for those people to do if the IVCA didn't have their members to run it. It's the same with any club tour - those helping out to facilitate others can't do it themselves.

Your missing the point the fact that your taking part in it or away or just not free that date you should not have to pay the ivca 100 euro I'm not talking about people who just don't want to help

learn

Beasty wrote: »

I know one or two people were considering joining up for 2016. They are now taking applications - see www.ivca.info for more details

Applications for racing membership close on 1 February. In addition they are introducing a cheaper option which allows racing in TTs and on the track, but not "full" RRs.

Anyone wishing to join up for the first time needs to nominate a couple of referees either from existing IVCA members or from their current club.

No option for TRACK ONLY ?

Beasty

learn wrote: »

No option for TRACK ONLY ?

No, but they only did the one track racing day in 2015 (after a 4 year hiatus)

Diarmuid

Derrydingle wrote: »

The 100 euro extra if you cant help out with the wicklow 200 is a bit over the top some people would be doing it and also a lot of people would be away on holidays too at that time of year

I've finding it hard to locate the rules, charges, marshalling requirements etc on the website. Anyone got some direct links ?

Beasty

Diarmuid wrote: »

I've finding it hard to locate the rules, charges, marshalling requirements etc on the website. Anyone got some direct links ?

That's all part of the "mystique"!!

On marshalling last year we had 3 slots each - previously I had typically been down for 2 (although I probably gained some kudos the year I was "indisposed" as I ended up doing perhaps half a dozen or so

Their "rules of racing" are here, but they are shown as "2013" and there may be one or two things that have been updated since. Subs are in the application form - there are no extras for individual races (so it can work out at extremely good value for money if you race Tuesdays and Sundays throughout the season with a few extra Saturday morning TTs thrown in)

Any specific questions fire away, as I don't find their website overly user-friendly/informative in terms of setting out all the nuances (some of which we may find out by e-mail).

They don't do online registration either, so you'll need to get hold of a chequebook, envelope and stamp!! They also have a Facebook page but have not yet gone along with my suggestion of providing a link from their website

Beasty

Just on the specifics of marshalling duties for racing. They publish a list at the start of the season (which is why they close racing entries quite early - stopping anyone joining after they've started compiling the marshal roster).

You get the opportunity on your application form to state a couple of periods when you may not be available (due to holidays for example). They then print your marshalling dates on your membership card/racing licence. Beyond that if you end up unable to meet a date you are designated to marshal it's up to the member to arrange a swap with another member. Failing to do so and therefore leaving the association short or marshals results in an automatic racing ban. The ban will only be lifted once a replacement marshalling slot has been completed.

Basically the IVCA accept no messing on this (as there have been too many members taking liberties over the years) - make sure you do all your duties as rostered and you will be fine though.

Bristolscale7

Anyone know if there will be portaloos at the races (serious question)?

RobFowl

Bristolscale7 wrote: »

Anyone know if there will be portaloos at the races (serious question)?

No

Beasty

So there's a business opportunity for someone....

There are toilet facilities at one or two of their sign on locations.

RobFowl

Beasty wrote: »

So there's a business opportunity for someone....

There are toilet facilities at one or two of their sign on locations.

As well as peoples drives if you need to take a dump.......

Beasty

RobFowl wrote: »

As well as peoples drives if you need to take a dump.......

So it was you who brought a halt to racing a couple of years ago:eek:!!





:pac:

fat bloke

Beasty wrote: »

They tend to keep quiet about the €172k they had in the bank at the last balance sheet date mind!

Makes you wonder why the need to increase fees then doesn't it? Cycling Ireland insurance isn't sufficient anymore either apparently, you need to pay for ivca insurance separately. It's not a cheap licence by any means at 295 euro, on top of club fees, and not to mention that frickin straight after Christmas is the worst time to be trying to pony it up!

No one told me there would be downsides to turning 40!

J Madone

fat bloke wrote: »

Makes you wonder why the need to increase fees then doesn't it? Cycling Ireland insurance isn't sufficient anymore either apparently, you need to pay for ivca insurance separately. It's not a cheap licence by any means at 295 euro, on top of club fees, and not to mention that frickin straight after Christmas is the worst time to be trying to pony it up!

No one told me there would be downsides to turning 40!

The upside is that when you pay for your license, you don't pay another penny for any races you do. Did my first year this year and love the set up. From the marshalling through to the organisation of events, first class

Beasty

fat bloke wrote: »

Makes you wonder why the need to increase fees then doesn't it? Cycling Ireland insurance isn't sufficient anymore either apparently, you need to pay for ivca insurance separately. It's not a cheap licence by any means at 295 euro, on top of club fees, and not to mention that frickin straight after Christmas is the worst time to be trying to pony it up!

No one told me there would be downsides to turning 40!

That was the balance at December 2014 and would include some renewals and early WW200 entries. I would guess there is still a "core" surplus of getting on for 150 grand and it's only been heading in one direction in recent years. They have increased sponsorship across 3 events also but I suspect that's very much small beer in comparison to the surplus they run.

The 295 reduces to 195 if you commit to marshal the WW200.

On the insurance point I suspect someone thought they were being clever when they "accepted" CI insurance last year. It's possible they never checked with CI whether cover actually did apply and clearly this year it does not.

I do wonder what rainy day they are concerned about. I guess the gravy train would dry up if for any reason they could not run the WW200 as that would appear to be subsidising the racing side. In the meantime they almost give the appearance of running the organisation for profit which they are not permitted to do

On the bright side you will qualify for free membership in another 26 years if you keep up your payments....

Derrydingle

A few months ago I was planning on joining the ivca but with a almost 300 euro signing fee and when the ivca have a very large amount in the bank account I be giving it a miss

Inquitus

Beasty wrote: »

You get the opportunity on your application form to state a couple of periods when you may not be available (due to holidays for example). They then print your marshalling dates on your membership card/racing licence. Beyond that if you end up unable to meet a date you are designated to marshal it's up to the member to arrange a swap with another member. Failing to do so and therefore leaving the association short or marshals results in an automatic racing ban. The ban will only be lifted once a replacement marshalling slot has been completed.

Basically the IVCA accept no messing on this (as there have been too many members taking liberties over the years) - make sure you do all your duties as rostered and you will be fine though.

I have to travel a lot with work, and often with relatively short notice, is it easy to swap marshalling duties? Pretty good chance I'll be unavailable for one or more of my assigned dates.

Beasty

Inquitus wrote: »

I have to travel a lot with work, and often with relatively short notice, is it easy to swap marshalling duties? Pretty good chance I'll be unavailable for one or more of my assigned dates.

Generally quite easy - plenty of members at our own club you can try, as well as a few former members who moved "up the road";). If that fails you can contact the IVCA and they will try and match you up with someone. We often get one or two requests a week for swaps - I've never had to request one myself as typically I'll respond to someone else's if required (and will on occasions just agree to help someone else out and clear my own "obligations" relatively early in the season)

It's quite surprising though how many just don't turn up and end up on the naughty step ....

Inquitus

Beasty wrote: »

Generally quite easy - plenty of members at our own club you can try, as well as a few former members who moved "up the road";). If that fails you can contact the IVCA and they will try and match you up with someone. We often get one or two requests a week for swaps - I've never had to request one myself as typically I'll respond to someone else's if required (and will on occasions just agree to help someone else out and clear my own "obligations" relatively early in the season)

It's quite surprising though how many just don't turn up and end up on the naughty step ....

Great, thanks Beasty, I always know 3-4 weeks ahead of time so sounds like arranging swaps shouldn't be much difficulty.

RobFowl

TBH the increase in fee to 295 along with not accepting CI insurance is making me have second thoughts about joining again.
Great races and well organised but getting a bit too dear especially when 3 compulsory marshalling slots are factored in

Inquitus

RobFowl wrote: »

TBH the increase in fee to 295 along with not accepting CI insurance is making me have second thoughts about joining again.
Great races and well organised but getting a bit too dear especially when 3 compulsory marshalling slots are factored in

Agreed, 295 for the IVCA, 50 for club membership, 125 for a CI Comp License, its a fair wedge of cash to lay out in Jan.

koutoubia

I was trying to justifying joining and trying to work around dates and pull in favours to allow me race but at almost 300 notes I will just go with CI.
Even with the superb courses and superb self marshalling 300 is just a tad too much.

Derrydingle

Is sepp blatter the new chairman of the ivca ;-)

Beasty

To be fair it's quite easy for most members to reduce the €295 to €195 and you can get up to around 40 races thrown in. Overall if you get your races in its a much better "deal" than with CI if you are happy to be racing pretty much in Leinster throughout. Their insurance appears much better also, although the only policy documents I can access are from 2011. If those terms still apply you are covered for personal injury/disability when mounting/dismounting or riding a bike. CI only covers when in CI sanctioned events or "sanctioned" training which I would interpret as official club spins and when at the likes of Corkagh Park, BMX and track training sessions

My main reservation is they continue to increase prices when they have so much cash in the bank. Having said that, it's the members that agree the subs at the AGM, so people can't really point the finger at individuals when everyone within the organisation does have a say if they wish to use it (and yes I "disenfranchised" myself as I did not turn up to the AGM (but have downloaded their accounts from the CRO website, which is where I got that cash figure from))

Beasty

Derrydingle wrote: »

Is sepp blatter the new chairman of the ivca ;-)

Not only is this incredibly unfair, but from what I've seen this particular role is a very thankless task. No-one seems to want it and I'm sure you would be pushing at an open door at the next AGM when you put your own name forward

Just to add, the fees were voted for by the membership before the new chairman was appointed

learn

Beasty wrote: »

Just to add, the fees were voted for by the membership before the new chairman was appointed

Of course it would be easy to vote for these fees if you had free membership and free race fees.

Beasty

learn wrote: »

Of course it would be easy to vote for these fees if you had free membership and free race fees.

I don't know how many qualify for those free fees, but they must be a relatively small minority. Yes those benefitting are likely to vote in favour. So what? Any member who thinks its unfair is entitled to turn up and vote against the proposals.

wav1

I know nothing about the structures of the IVCA,but on a purely selfish note,they have came on board this year as co sponsors of our Ras na N'og and recently have agreed to be title sponsors for the next three years,and I can assure you that this is very welcome by us and really helps us,to put on a showpiece event for the youths.