Hi all
Just been brought to my attention that 1) BCM 600 2018 has gone "live", and 2) there is a new thread for the occasion.
To answer some of the points raised so far:
1. Speaking personally, I think it was a little early to launch this. I'd have preferred mid-late October, ideally after half term. But hey it's out there now, so we have to get on with it. The people who manage the calendar, the events and AUK in general are all volunteers, fitting it all in around otherwise already busy lives, so we have to accommodate each other. It is a bit too early, and it does lead to DNS's, and No - we don't do a waiting list, and / or refunds; and Yes, people are probably better prepared calendar-wise around about Christmas. On the other hand as others have pointed out, the expenditure starts well before the event. The 2017 booking for Dolgellau was paid I seem to remember in December 2015 - just before Christmas, as they had had other enquiries for the weekend and we absolutely have to have that place if we are to run the event as we do. It would be a very different event if we couldn't.
2. Pickled Onion suggests a second run of the event. We've thought about it - but the logistics, cost and risk are such that we decided not to. There is a reason that it costs so much to enter - it isn't cheap or straightforward to run! You are always welcome to volunteer and see how what it involves to deliver it on that weekend - and that is, believe me, the tip of the iceberg. I'll be fielding enquiries and processing bookings for an extra two months for 2018...
3. With regard to the costs: To put it into perspective, I discovered a non-AUK event earlier this year, which runs one direction over 300k over the Chapman route which will set you back around £150 to ride, and a Brit Cycling event that was I think £27 for 40 miles and around £50 for 80 miles (Estuary Epic). We're feeding you for the better part of a weekend, and providing a number of controls where you can go indoors, sit down and have hot food. Halls are facing cut backs in funding from local authorities, but they still have to maintain their buildings and pay their fuel bills - so the costs go up to do this. The food costs are amazing...and since 2016 have seen a significant hike upwards. We're having to make calculated estimates as to what will happen between August this year (When we put the event budget together) and May 2018 when you all turn up...
3. Online entries - Liam asked about this. No, we don't do this - and for the reason's you hinted at in your later posting. There is a charge for PayPal. there are also risks with Pay Pal and as we (and I am sure other organisers too) find some AUKS will try anything,we really don't have time to liaise with PP to argue why refunds should not have been made. It also puts a greater admin burden on us. As Zed 43 points out - there are other drawbacks with PayPal. As organisers, we bear the risks for the event. If it doesn't cover it's costs, we have to under write them, ourselves, personally.
4. Membership of AUK Yes we do insist that all entrants are full members of AUK. Prospective entrants from overseas should contact us directly. To date, they have created the least of our problems. Ritchie is of the opinion that this is a very popular, over-subscribed event. AUK is a membership organisation. It is only fair that members should have first choice when it comes to places. Members are what keeps AUK as the organisation it is. It doesn't cost a lot to join, but there are benefits of being an organisation that being individuals going on a bike ride doesn't have. Liam and Whos on the Wheel reflected on this, and Liam's reflections on organising the London Wales London are similar to the conclusions we've drawn. That's another reason entries are postal and payment by cheque (or other non-electronic means).
Hope this answers the points raised so far. If you have questions you want a definitive answer to, please contact the organiser via the entry page on the calendar. Ritchie has previously ridden some very fast times over long distances, I think he's still the fastest rider of the BCM, and has demonstrated form on the PBP.
Catswiskas