With nobody else putting themselves up for the job, I'm assuming that following the AGM I will be the person tasked with putting the BHPC race calendar for 2011 together.  Hence this post to get any feedback from the racing (and potentially racing) membership about what you'd like to see.  Below are a few current thoughts, in no particular order.  Please feel free to comment on these points, or on absolutely anything else you'd like - or anything this year that you didn't.

• The basic shape of the season has worked well for several years, so I intend to follow a similar pattern, with 12 days of racing, of which the best 8 results would count
• Though we got some good coverage - but mostly to do with some stonking "Hot Laps" rather than our own race - the Brands Hatch (Bike Radar Live) experiment didn't work well as a BHPC race.  Neither I nor Mike Burrows (I'd like to thank him again for all the effort to make the event happen) would propose repeating it
• I'll aim to include the two established weekend events: Lancaster/Preston and the two-dayer at Fowlmead.  What would people think to a third one?  The new circuit at Stourport looks a must-try and others have already suggested a weekend event combining that and another midlands venue, such as Shrewsbury.  Another suggested - but untried by us - track is in Solihull.  For me, weekend events reduce travelling and free another weekend for other stuff.  For others, maybe those with families, weekend events are difficult.  How do they suit the membership in general?
• Fees at Castle Combe have risen steeply over recent years, and it may well be unaffordable.  I have a great deal of trouble getting dates there too.  I still want to put on one longer race (say 2 hours).  The best candidate venue for that seems to be Fowlmead, probably the second day there.
• There may be a possibility of a town-centre criterium event - on similar lines to those some of you have attended in Jersey.  The courses are often not suited to streamliners or to the more extreme unfaired/part-faired bikes.  Would you be up for it?
• How many velodrome events?  I'd go for one: they're fairly expensive, and I find them a bit dull, but it's variety and allows people to have a go at record-setting
• Given that Hillingdon now looks suitable for an AGM, we don't have to go back to Hog Hill.  Would you miss the hill or be glad never to see it again?  If we omit it, I'll aim for the replacement to be in the South East; Reading?
• I'll try to make some events on Saturdays, but then I did this year too.  The predominance of Sunday events is mostly down to the availability of venues.
• Where I know or can find out about other events (BPCC, CylceVision, Worlds), I'll do my very best to avoid clashes, but sometimes they're unavoidable, or dates are announced after ours are confirmed
• It has been suggested that the AGM meeting be a "just for fun" event.  Apparently - but before my racing days - this was how it was.  A good idea, or would it just mean that you wouldn't attend the AGM?

All constructive comments welcome.

As an aside I will shortly be in communication with a fellow cycle enthusiast who is involved with promoting cycling (in all its forms) in the local area (south coast). He is aiming to host a cycle weekend or suchlike in Worthing to include all manner of events which he may be interested in a recumbent event (maybe a demonstration or precession) for people to watch. This will be in the Bank holiday in August. More details to follow.

• The basic shape of the season has worked well for several years, so I intend to follow a similar pattern, with 12 days of racing, of which the best 8 results would count

It makes sense to leave it like this - at least until the timing system has a full season of operation.

• Though we got some good coverage - but mostly to do with some stonking "Hot Laps" rather than our own race - the Brands Hatch (Bike Radar Live) experiment didn't work well as a BHPC race.  Neither I nor Mike Burrows (I'd like to thank him again for all the effort to make the event happen) would propose repeating it

It's a shame the BHPC race didn't work out better - but nothing ventured, nothing gained.

• I'll aim to include the two established weekend events: Lancaster/Preston and the two-dayer at Fowlmead.  What would people think to a third one?  The new circuit at Stourport looks a must-try and others have already suggested a weekend event combining that and another midlands venue, such as Shrewsbury.  Another suggested - but untried by us - track is in Solihull.  For me, weekend events reduce travelling and free another weekend for other stuff.  For others, maybe those with families, weekend events are difficult.  How do they suit the membership in general?

Definite thumbs up to weekend events - for the social gathering between the races as much as the 2-races-for-the-price-of-1 when it comes to travel.

• Fees at Castle Combe have risen steeply over recent years, and it may well be unaffordable.  I have a great deal of trouble getting dates there too.  I still want to put on one longer race (say 2 hours).  The best candidate venue for that seems to be Fowlmead, probably the second day there.

Fowlmead is a good candidate for a longer race - it can't possibly be as wet again next year!

• There may be a possibility of a town-centre criterium event - on similar lines to those some of you have attended in Jersey.  The courses are often not suited to streamliners or to the more extreme unfaired/part-faired bikes.  Would you be up for it?

Yes - would be good to see how it's done elsewhere.

• How many velodrome events?  I'd go for one: they're fairly expensive, and I find them a bit dull, but it's variety and allows people to have a go at record-setting

If you mean outdoor velodromes (like Wolverhampton, Reading etc) I would agree. Indoor velodromes (eg Sloten) are a different matter - if anyone manages to get some time on one - count me in!

• Given that Hillingdon now looks suitable for an AGM, we don't have to go back to Hog Hill.  Would you miss the hill or be glad never to see it again?  If we omit it, I'll aim for the replacement to be in the South East; Reading?

There needs to be a difficult hill in at least one of the championship races. As the results show, speed isn't all about aerodynamics, and it doesn't make it any easier to say that recumbents can go up hills if we avoid them in our racing calendar! It doesn't have to be at Redbridge/HogHill, but I've not got alternative suggestion, and it is a good quality track with v.good facilities. Those flat-land blouse-wearing* big-jessies who don't like hills should stop moaning and get up more. So there.

• I'll try to make some events on Saturdays, but then I did this year too.  The predominance of Sunday events is mostly down to the availability of venues.

Neutral on this one - whatever is easier to organise.

• Where I know or can find out about other events (BPCC, CylceVision, Worlds), I'll do my very best to avoid clashes, but sometimes they're unavoidable, or dates are announced after ours are confirmed

In addition to the BPCC 24 hour, these two events have always had BHPC members taking part, and have been confirmed for 2011:

15th May, Etape Caledonia, 

29th May, Jersey Town Criterium,

• It has been suggested that the AGM meeting be a "just for fun" event.  Apparently - but before my racing days - this was how it was.  A good idea, or would it just mean that you wouldn't attend the AGM?

Would probably still attend the AGM, but it would be much prefer there was a championship race on the same day/weekend.

As for races south of the M4 - never mind that, how about a race north of the M6? The most extensive colour in the BHPC logo comes from the saltire - 'bout time there was a race there! You guys (and ladies) reading this north of the border - it's not the EHPC - let us know where we can come and race!

* apologies to blouse wearers who like hills

Rob: D- for geography! Reading is just North the M4.

Mallory is well used.