February Meeting Minutes

Manitoba Mountain Bike Committee Minutes
February 10, 2009
Board Room, Sport Manitoba
7:00 – 9:00

Present: Greg Sherwin (Brandon Bike Club), Dale Cramer (Junk Yard Dogs), Kevin Braun (Tinker), Shawn Zayec (Alter Ego), Tim Loewen (KOM), Gord Buhr (Body Driven), David Dorning (Woodcock), Rob Nagy (Woodcock), Ron Brown (MCA Exec. Director), Hal Loewen (MTB Coordinator)

Regrets: Tomek Jasiakiewicz (Olympia)

Discussion:

• The Mountain Bike Committee has supported the use of Karelo as way for cyclists to register for the Manitoba Cup series and Provincials.
• A new fee structure was discussed in conjunction with the decision to use Karelo: cyclists can register for the series, including the Provincials, a total of 6 races, for $125. Individual races will cost $25 for pre-registration and $35 for same day registration – pre-registration will save an individual $25.
• The $5 increase accommodates the Karelo surcharge and $2 levy which will go back to the Mountain Bike Committee to help cover its expenses
• The committee decided to keep the quad (it considered selling it to help reduce costs) as it was seen as an essential piece of equipment for trail development and a first aid vehicle
• The committee is developing a race organizer’s manual based on the Alberta organizer’s manual. The manual will be mountain bike specific and should be ready for first review by the next meeting.
• The committee accepted the $40 novice license and will create a novice category.
• All first time racers must race their first race in the novice category, after that they will be moved into an appropriate category or stay in the novice category until their skills, abilities and lap times allow them to move up.
• The MTB committee might run the provincial race; it was seen as a way to raise funds for the committee.
• The committee discussed the marathon category for mountain bike racing. It will come up with a set of rules and guidelines that will meet the obligations of the organization, the insurer, and the larger governing bodies.
• The Spruce Woods venue was discussed as a possible race location and it was decided it needs to be explored further as a possible race venue.
• The committee discussed elements and features it would like to see on the MCA website – work will continue on this item.
• 10 cyclists were identified as having improved their skills, abilities, and lap times and will be asked to move to a more competitive category. A letter was tabled at the meeting that will be used to ask riders to consider moving up to that higher category.
• An idea was presented to provide KOM coaches at MTB races to take kids out for rides during adult races thereby giving parents a chance to race while their kids are out riding with coaches. This idea will explored further and will be up to the race organizers to plan.
• A vote to select a chief commissaire was held, the successful candidate will be approached and will hopefully accept the position this week.
• The commissaire course will be held March 20-21.
• The committee is looking to use the MCA van and trailer to help transport racers to those races which are of a greater distance – this will be only possible if it is not being used by the provincial team
• Sponsorship was discussed. The committee wants to make sure that its efforts, and the efforts of the other disciplines and the MCA are coordinated so not as to irritate potential sponsors by being approached by multiple cycling representatives.

Recommendations to the Board:

1. That, MCA members be able to use the Karelo registration system to register for the MTB Cup Series and Provincials.
2. That, race fees for Cup races and Provincials be raised to $25 for online and pre-registration, and $35 for same day registration. Also, those MCA members can register for the Cup series and Provincials for $125.
3. That, Manitoba cycling clubs be able to use the Karelo registration system to allow MCA members to pay individual club fees.
4. That, for mountain biking, there is the creation of the Novice category (previously called the Citizen category). This category will be reserved for first time racers who have purchased the $40 introductory license.
5. All first-time racers must race in the Novice category for their first race; they will stay in that category for the first year unless they demonstrate skills and abilities that are better suited to a higher category – such riders will be allowed to move up when they have purchased the full race license.
6. That, the quad and trailer be kept and maintained for trail building and race safety purposes.
7. There be the creation of a mountain bike specific page on the MCA website.

Actions:

1. Hal to take recommendations to the Board
2. Gord B to begin work on MCA Mountain Bike Organizer’s Manual
3. Ron to tabulate votes for MTB chief commissaire and then Hal will contact candidates to ask them to accept the position of chief commissaire;
4. Ron to investigate who funds would be transferred from Karelo to clubs (race fees and memberships).
5. Hal to contact riders identified to have demonstrated the lap times, skills and abilities and ask them to move up to next competitive category.
6. Shawn Z to collect examples of and information on Marathon races that could be used for Manitoba races
7. All – to send ideas of elements they wish to see on a MCA mountain bike page.