CRCA Board Meeting Minutes (2016/06/14)

CENTURY ROAD CLUB ASSOCIATIONMEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

June 14, 2016

The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Century Road Club Association (the “CRCA”) held a duly noticed meeting on June 14, 2016 at the offices of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher at 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York.

The meeting was called to order by Alexis Kraft, President of the Board, at approximately 7:00 PM.

The following members of the Board, constituting a quorum of the Board, were present in person or telephonically:

• Alexis Kraft – President
• Gabrielle Fisher – Vice President, Racing
• Fred David – Secretary
• Ken Edwards – Treasurer
• Russ Bogin – Public Relations
• David Wen Riccardi-Zhu – Communications Director
• Ted Teyber – Director of Open Racing

1. TREASURY / FINANCIAL

Ken Edwards provided a detailed update on the status of the CRCA’s financial position, including a presentation of the CRCA’s available cash, the current revenue from membership enrollment and donations (which is still currently trending slightly down compared to 2015), open race registrations and remaining 2016 expenses. Mr. Edwards reported that the CRCA is currently projected to break even or make a small profit in 2016 based.

Mr. Edwards discussed a proposal to re-invest CRCA’s cash holdings into higher-yielding assets. The Board determined it was willing to explore the proposal and directed Mr. Edwards to obtain more information regarding the proposed investment structure.

Mr. Edwards also provided an update on the status of the CRCA’s 2011 and 2015 tax returns.

2. CENTURY ROAD CLUB DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION (“CRCDF”)

The Board discussed in detail the relationship between the CRCA and the CRCDF, including CRCDF’s role as a co-promoter of the Grant’s Tomb Criterium, the Bear Mountain Classic and the Orchard Beach Criterium, and the CRCA’s past financial contributions to the CRCDF. The Board also discussed the appropriate level of financial contributions by the CRCA to the CRCDF for 2016 and future years. The Board agreed to invite Matthew Vandivort and David Greenberg of the CRCDF board of directors to the next Board meeting to discuss the CRCDF’s goals for the next several years, its funding needs, its fundraising plans, and the appropriate level of support from CRCA.

3. OPEN RACING

Ted Teyber provided an update on the status of preparations for the CRCA Hincapie Classic in Memory of Lou Maltese and the CRCA Hincapie Grand Prix in Honor of Fred Mengoni.

Mr. Teyber mentioned that Bicycle Habitat had established a neutral race support service, which had come to the CRCA Dave Jordan Central Park Classic and the CRCA Orchard Beach Criterium. The Board discussed whether to hire Bicycle Habitat’s neutral race support service to future CRCA races and agreed to hire the service for the remaining open races in 2016 and to discuss establishing a more long-term relationship with Bicycle Habitat going forward, as well as to reach out to other bicycle shops to gauge their interest in providing similar services for future races.

4. CLUB RACES

Gabrielle Fisher discussed the impact of the changes to the starting order for fields at CRCA’s races in Central Park. So far, the change to start the women’s fields last has seemed to result in a reduction in the number of times fields need to be neutralized to allow other fields to pass, and the change has received positive feedback from racers. The Board agreed to continue starting women’s fields last and to monitor the reception from racers and the number of field neutralizations.

Ms. Fisher also reported on her correspondence with the Central Park Conservancy regarding the garbage truck that was driving backwards on the Central Park loop road during the June 4 CRCA Dave Jordan Central Park Classic.

The Board also discussed the proposed racing structure roles that Mr. Vandivort prepared and presented to the Board in 2015. The Board agreed to discuss the proposed structure with Mr. Vandivort at its next meeting.

The Board also discussed proposal to speed up the results process at club races by having an additional person at the finish line during races who would be tasked with reviewing finish line videos for earlier field finishes while the remaining fields were still on course. Ms. Fisher agreed to work with Tomi Ketcham to find a person willing to fill such position during at least one of the four August club races.  The Board also discussed the advisability of purchasing a more advanced finish line camera to speed up the results process, but determined that the five-figure purchase price was not justified.

5. SPONSORSHIP

The Board agreed it was advisable to prepare an updated “decks” regarding the benefits of CRCA sponsorship and CRCA donor memberships in order to aid in the process of obtaining sponsors and donor members for future years. Russ Bogin agreed to contact Johnny Hsu regarding his availability to assist the Board in preparing such a deck.

6. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:00 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

__________________________ Fred David Secretary

Coming Up This Week (June 27 – July 3)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Merckx-a-rama. Nomad Cycle is hosting a party to celebrate Eddy Merckx bicycles. Heather Rizzi and Greg Hon of Merckx Bicycles will be at Nomad to talk about the new 2017 Eddy Merckx bicycles. There will be lots of Eddy Merckx bikes on hand to oggle and test ride, all accompanied by some Belgean beer. Tuesday, July 12 at 6 PM - 9 PM @ Nomad Cycle, 36-58 37th Street, Queens, New York 11101.

RACES & RIDES

Nothing so far!

EVENTS

1. Bicycle History Talk on Monday, June 27.

Come take a spin with Meg Guroff, who will be reading from her book, THE MECHANICAL HORSE: How the Bicycle Reshaped American Life, a new lively cultural history on how the bicycle has changed American life in all kinds of surprising ways. With Mark Crispin Miller, author and professor at NYU. McNally Jackson in Soho on June 27 at 7 pm.

2016 Hincapie Classic in Memory of Lou Maltese. Photograph by Harry Zernike.

Have any announcements or events you would like to make for next week’s post? Please contact communications[at]crca.net.

Coming Up This Week (June 20 – 26)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Cyclists’ Proposal.  Rendering by Joseph Lertola.

1. Support Resolution 1072-2016: Widening of George Washington Bridge paths.

Ask your Council Member to support Resolution 1072-2016. Co-sponsored by Ydanis Rodriguez, Helen Rosenthal and Costa Constantinides, 1072-2016 calls upon the Port Authority to widen the GWB paths as part of the upcoming recabling. If your Council Member is already in support, thank them! Please share this information with your friends and on social media.

– To find your local Council Member, click here.  

– For the text of 1072-2016, click here.

– For an linkable version of this email, click here.

– For more info on widening the GWB, click here.

2. Bicycle History Talk on June 27.

Come take a spin with Meg Guroff, who will be reading from her book, THE MECHANICAL HORSE: How the Bicycle Reshaped American Life, a new lively cultural history on how the bicycle has changed American life in all kinds of surprising ways. With Mark Crispin Miller, author and professor at NYU. McNally Jackson in Soho on June 27 at 7 pm.

3. Hincapie Omnium Jersey. 

To the victors, the spoils . . .

Hincapie Sportswear has desgined an awesome jersey for the winners of the Omnium -- a worthy addition to every racer's wardrobe.

They'all also be offering some great primes at both races: caps, jackets, packs and free entry to the Gran Fondo Hincapie in Greenville, SC on October 22nd.

Racers who enter both Maltese and Mengoni will also receive a 20% discount for entry at the Gran Fondo (http://granfondohincapie.com/).

We are less than one week away from the Hincapie Classic in Memory of Lou Maltese -- don't miss out!

Register here for Lou Maltese: https://www.bikereg.com/lou-maltese-memorial.

Here for the Hincapie Grand Prix in Honor of Fred Mengoni: https://www.bikereg.com/crca-mengoni-grand-prix.

RACES & RIDES

1. Hincapie Classic in Memory of Lou Maltese. June 25, 5:30 AM, finishing at Tavern on the Green. Fields and laps as follow: WP1234 (6.7), MP12 (8.7), M3 (7.7), M4 (6.7), M5 & J15-18 (4.7), J9-14 (1.0).

EVENTS

Nothing so far!

Lou Maltese, courtesy of the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame.

Have any announcements or events you would like to make for next week’s post? Please contact communications[at]crca.net.

IMPORTANT: 6/19 Roster Posted

The race roster for June 19 is now available here. Take a quick look, especially if you are racing on Sunday, to make sure not only that you are clear to race but that you have the right number.

If you haven’t picked up your number yet, have no fear, we’ll have them ready to pick up at the race. Please come early, please know what your number is, and please have your USAC license out and ready.

A reminder that we are no longer accepting season waivers at races. If you are a Season Pass member and have not yet submitted your season waiver, please follow the instructions on the "Event Waiver" section of the site to email your waiver in. If you are a Season Pass member and plan on racing tomorrow, please bring a regular event waiver, or pick one up tomorrow morning ($5).

IF YOUR NAME IS IN YELLOW: You are NOT cleared to race, and its because of something critical. You are either suspended due to not marshaling, you do not have a valid USAC license/number in our system, or you have not taken a new members skill session (mandatory for ALL cat 4/5 racers). Please get in touch with me ASAP at membership[at]crca.net if you were intending to race and you are yellow. Hopefully if its a USAC issue we can get it resolved ASAP.

IF YOUR NAME IS IN PURPLE: Please bring an EVENT WAIVER to the race tomorrow, and submit a SERIES WAIVER via email. A reminder that EVENT WAIVERS can be purchased for a $5 donation at the Club races. To submit a season waiver by e-mail: (1) visit http://archive.crca.net/racing/eventwaivers/, (2) find the season waiver under the “2016 Season Pass Waiver” section, (3) print, fill-in, sign, scan, and email the waiver to waivers[at]crca.net.

Thanks and see you all tomorrow morning!

Coming Up This Week (June 13 – 19)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Season Pass memberships are now 50% off for the remainder of the year.

RACES & RIDES

1. Club Race 8 and Women's Development Series. Sunday, June 19. 5:40AM start, finish at Cat's Paw Hill. Fields and laps as follows: W (6.0), A (8.0), B (7.0), C (6.0), W3/4 (5.0).

2. 2016 Harlem Skyscraper Cycling Classic. Sunday, June 19, racing starts at 1:15PM. Register here: https://www.bikereg.com/harlem-skyscraper-cycling-classic.

EVENTS

Nothing so far!

Have any announcements or events you would like to make for next week’s post? Please contact communications[at]crca.net.

CRCA Board Meeting Minutes (2016/04/25)

CENTURY ROAD CLUB ASSOCIATIONMEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

April 25, 2016

The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Century Road Club Association (the “CRCA”) held a duly noticed meeting on April 25, 2016 at the offices of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher at 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York.

The meeting was called to order by Alexis Kraft, President of the Board, at approximately 6:30 PM.

The following members of the Board, constituting a quorum of the Board, were present in person or telephonically:

• Alexis Kraft – President
• Gabrielle Fisher – Vice President, Racing
• Tara Parsons – Vice President, Rider Development
• Fred David – Secretary
• Ken Edwards – Treasurer
• Russ Bogin – Public Relations
• Tomi Ketcham – Marshalling Director
• David Wen Riccardi-Zhu – Communications Director
• Ted Teyber – Director of Open Racing

1. TREASURY / FINANCIAL

Ken Edwards provided a detailed update on the status of the CRCA’s financial position, including a presentation of the CRCA’s available cash, the current revenue from membership enrollment and donations (which is still currently trending slightly down compared to 2015) and open race registrations.

The Board discussed potential avenues for increasing donor membership numbers and agreed to reach out to their subteams to encourage members to upgrade to donor memberships. The Board also discussed adding additional benefits to donor memberships, and agreed to continue that discussion at a later date.

2. OPEN RACING

Ted Teyber provided an update on the status of preparations for the CRCA Bear Mountain Classic and the Lucarelli & Castaldi CRCA Orchard Beach Criterium.

The Board discussed a request from a CRCA women’s racer to shorten the distance of the women’s Pro/1/2 field at Bear Mountain, and agreed to do so in order to incentivize additional riders to enter the race.

The Board discussed in detail the impact of the size of prize pools on registration numbers as well as the “prestige” of the CRCA’s open races. The Board agreed to emphasize the size of prize pools for women’s and men’s elite fields in order to increase the quality of elite fields, thereby increasing the prestige of those races.

The Board also discussed in detail the charity to which a portion of the proceeds of the CRCA Dave Jordan Central Park Classic would be donated, and the Board recommended the proceeds be donated to the Century Road Club Developmental Foundation (“CRCDF”), subject to the Jordan family’s approval. The Board also discussed ways to strengthen the ties between the CRCA and the Jordan family in order to ensure that the CRCA Dave Jordan Central Park Classic becomes a fixture on the Northeast racing calendar. Mr. Edwards agreed to prepare a presentation for the Jordan family regarding the CRCDF and its selection as the charity to receive a portion of the proceeds from the Dave Jordan Classic.

The Board considered a proposal to host race number pickup event for the Hincapie Omnium, and Russ Bogin agreed to discuss with Bicycle Habitat hosting such an event.

3. ELECTION OF CRCDF BOARD MEMBERS

Tara Parson and Mr. Edwards volunteered to serve as the Board’s two appointees to the board of directors of the CRCDF, and the Board unanimously approved the appointment of Ms. Parsons and Mr. Edwards to the CRCDF board.

4. COACHING

Ms. Parsons discussed the current compensation structure for CRCA’s coaches and noted that the current rate being paid by CRCA to coaches was below the market rate. The Board discussed in detail the current compensation structure, the number of coaching sessions currently offered, alternative forms of compensation other than cash that the CRCA could offer coaches (including mentioning coaches on the CRCA website’s sponsors page, waiving coaches’ marshalling obligations and waiving coaches’ membership and/or season pass fees), and the prevailing market rate for coaching. Ms. Parsons agreed to discuss the compensation issue with CRCA’s other coaches and to present the coaches’ compensation request at the next Board meeting.

The Board also discussed the timing for hosting a second race clinic, and determined that the best date for holding the second clinic would be during the June 19 club race.

5. CLUB RACES

Gabrielle Fisher discussed race morning logistics and proposed that season pass waivers be accepted only via e-mail submission for the remainder of the year rather than accepted in person the morning of club races, in order to reduce race morning complications. The Board approved the proposal and David Wen Riccardi-Zhu agreed to send an email to the CRCA’s members to announce the change.

The Board also discussed the ideal starting order for fields at CRCA’s races in Central Park in order to reduce the number of times fields, particularly women’s fields, need to be neutralized to allow another field to pass. Ms. Fisher and Russ Bogin agreed to discuss the matter with Alex Rodriguez, and the Board will re-address the matter at a later meeting.

6. FALL ACTION ITEMS

The Board discussed additional items to be included on its running list of various topics that the Board will consider later in the year, including moving up the timing for the first meeting of new CRCA boards in future years, the re-establishment of a CRCA newsletter, obtaining sponsors for the CRCA’s 2017 open races, generating a list of tasks for its web developer, Nick Black, to work on to improve the functionality and usefulness of the CRCA’s website and changing the B and C fields at club races to Cat 3/4 and Cat 4/5 fields, respectively (currently B fields are open only to Cat 4 racers and C fields are open only to Cat 5 racers).

7. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:30 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

__________________________ Fred David Secretary

Coming Up This Week (June 6 – 12)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. June Coaching Schedule

This month's coaching schedule is now up: http://archive.crca.net/coaching/coaching-schedule/.

Our coaches are offering sessions on long term power, breakaways, and sprinting, as well as the regular new member racing skills.

2. Kissena Velodrome Improvement Survey

The survey will be used to raise awareness of needed funds to improve the Kissena Velodrome.

3. Discounted Tune-ups from Grand Bicycle Center

Grand Bicycle Center is offering CRCA members discounted pre-race tune-ups. This includes a full drive-train cleaning, as well as a comprehensive fine-tuning of components.

RACES & RIDES

1. NYC Pride Ride

CRCA subteam OutCycling is hosting its fourth annual NYC Pride Ride on Sunday, June 12, 2016. The ride has 30, 60, and 100 mile options, and is an official Heritage of Pride event.

The ride will have SAG support, feed zones, and a finish line festival. There will be a full-out lunch at Rockland State Park for the 60 and 100 mile options.

For the CRCA discount code, please use CRCA16.

EVENTS

Nothing so far!

(Photo credit: Bicycle Racing Pictures).

Have any announcements or events you would like to make for next week’s post? Please contact communications[at]crca.net.

IMPORTANT: 5/29 Roster Posted

The roster for May 29 is now available here. Take a quick look, especially if you’re racing Saturday, to make sure not only that you’re clear to race but you’ve got the right number.

If you haven’t picked up your number yet, have no fear, we’ll have them ready to pick up at the race.  Please come early,  please know what your number is, and please have your USAC license out and ready.

IF YOUR NAME IS IN YELLOW: You are NOT cleared to race, and its because of something critical.  You are either suspended due to not marshaling, you do not have a valid USAC license/number in our system, or you have not taken a new members race clinic (mandatory for ALL cat 4/5 racers).  Please get in touch with me ASAP at membership[at]crca.net if you were intending to race and you are yellow.  Hopefully if its a USAC issue we can get it resolved ASAP.

IF YOUR NAME IS IN PURPLE: Please bring an EVENT WAIVER to the race tomorrow, and submit a SERIES WAIVER via email. A reminder that EVENT WAIVERS can be purchased for a $5 donation at the Club races. To submit a season waiver by e-mail: (1) visit http://archive.crca.net/racing/eventwaivers/, (2) find the season waiver under the "2016 Season Pass Waiver" section, (3) print, fill-in, sign, scan, and email the waiver to waivers@crca.net.

Thanks and see you all tomorrow morning!

Coming Up This Week (May 23 – 29)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. NYC Pride Ride

CRCA subteam OutCycling is hosting its fourth annual NYC Pride Ride on Sunday, June 12, 2016. The ride has 30, 60, and 100 mile options, and is an official Heritage of Pride event.

The ride will have SAG support, feed zones, and a finish line festival. There will be a full-out lunch at Rockland State Park for the 60 and 100 mile options.

For the CRCA discount code, please use CRCA16.

2. The Feed

The Feed is offering the following deals for the month of May:

• 20% off on Krave Jerky, Rip Van Wafels, ProBar Meal bar, Rodeo Trail Nuggets, Skratch Labs Fruit Drops.
• FREE Bonk Breaker Endurance Pack .

If you'd haven't already opted-in for the 15% discount with The Feed (http://thefeed.com/), you need to submit your name and e-mail through this form:http://goo.gl/forms/u30TDZC4k5.

We'll submit an updated form to The Feed on Wednesday, June 1.

3. Research Survey

Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, Department of Urology are conducting a study on the impact of different forms of exercise on sexual wellness and urologic conditions.

They hope to uncover new connections between exercise and health, aid patients, and better inform the public about ways to improve their health.

They have asked us to share the following survey (~10 minutes to complete) with club members: https://urology.ucsf.edu/node/2826.

The survey is completely anonymous and all data is kept securely.

Five randomly selected participants will receive a $100 Amazon Gift Card after completing the survey.

4. NYRR Cycling Support

NYRR will begin paying cyclists who sign up for NYRR cycling support via a stipend, hourly or day rate, depending upon the type of race and the support role.

For more information, please see the following Cyclist Roles document.

NYRR plan on creating a cycling support call list. If you would like to be added to this list, please contact communications@crca.net.

RACES

1. Rockleigh Criterium

Thursday, May 26, at 6:00 PM.

The race will pay tribute to CRCA Champion, Zach "King of Rockleigh" Koop.

All proceeds from the first race will be donated to Cycle for Survival. Rockleigh Crit will also be retiring Zach's number -- 1.

Register to race for a cause and to remember Zach: https://www.bikereg.com/rockleigh-criterium--series-i.

2. Club Race 7

Sunday, May 29, at 05:45 AM.

The race finishes at the Met Museum.

Laps (~10km each):

W (7.1) A (8.1) B (7.1) M40+ (7.1) C (6.1)

EVENTS

Nothing so far!

Have any announcements or events you would like to make for next week’s post? Please contact communications[at]crca.net.

IMPORTANT: 5/21 Roster Published

The roster for May 21 is now available here. Take a quick look, especially if you’re racing Saturday, to make sure not only that you’re clear to race but you’ve got the right number.

If you haven’t picked up your number yet, have no fear, we’ll have them ready to pick up at the race.  Please come early,  please know what your number is, and please have your USAC license out and ready.

IF YOUR NAME IS IN YELLOW: You are NOT cleared to race, and its because of something critical.  You are either suspended due to not marshaling, you do not have a valid USAC license/number in our system, or you have not taken a new members race clinic (mandatory for ALL cat 4/5 racers).  Please get in touch with me ASAP at membership[at]crca.net if you were intending to race and you are yellow.  Hopefully if its a USAC issue we can get it resolved ASAP.

IF YOUR NAME IS IN PURPLE: Please bring an EVENT WAIVER to the race tomorrow, and submit a SERIES WAIVER via email. A reminder that EVENT WAIVERS can be purchased for a $5 donation at the Club races. To submit a season waiver by e-mail: (1) visit http://archive.crca.net/racing/eventwaivers/, (2) find the season waiver under the "2016 Season Pass Waiver" section, (3) print, fill-in, sign, scan, and email the waiver to waivers@crca.net.

Thanks and see you all tomorrow morning!