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Constitution, Rules and Regulations

1. CONSTITUTION

The VTTA is the National Authority promoting Time Trialling for cyclists who are 40 years of age and older.

All VTTA events are open to any cyclist of 40 years old or over and shall be conducted in accordance with Cycling Time Trials (CTT) or the Scottish Cyclists’ Union (SCU) Regulations.

2. RULES

2.1 The Association

2.1.1 The name of the Association shall be the VETERANS TIME TRIALS ASSOCIATION. Membership shall be open to all cyclists who are 40 years of age and older.

2.2 Management of the Association

2.2.1 The management of the Association shall be vested in an elected National Executive Committee (NEC) consisting of a President, Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and any Assistant Secretaries as may be necessary, Treasurer, Recorder, Records Secretary, Awards Secretary, Editor and Advertising Secretary, Webmaster, Membership Secretary, Annual General Meeting (AGM) Organiser and up to five Committee members.

2.3 National Executive Committee Meetings

2.3.1 The NEC shall meet quarterly, or as required, to transact the affairs of the VTTA. Five members shall form a quorum. Any member of the committee who is absent from three consecutive meetings without excuse shall be deemed to have resigned from the committee who shall have the power to fill the vacancy.

2.3.2 Any VTTA member may attend and speak at NEC meetings, but may not vote. (The Chairman may decide that agenda items are not appropriate for open discussion and these items will be taken in private session with only NEC members in attendance.)

2.4 Powers of the National Executive Committee

2.4.1 The NEC shall have the power to co-opt additional members in order to carry out tasks necessary for the smooth running of the Association. These members will have the same voting rights as other NEC members.

2.4.2 The NEC shall have the power to appoint sub-committees that shall prepare minutes of their proceedings. These shall be read at the next meeting of the NEC and duly recorded in the books of the VTTA.

2.4.3 The NEC shall have the power to take such steps as may be deemed necessary to carry out the programme of events for the current or following season.

2.4.4 The NEC may suspend any member for conduct considered detrimental to the VTTA until the next NEC meeting when a further suspension or reinstatement will be decided, based on any representation received.

2.5 NEC Expenses

2.5.1 NEC members may claim reasonable expenses (as agreed by the Committee) for attending meetings.

2.6 Duties of National Officers

2.6.1 The National Secretary shall take, or cause to be taken, minutes of all National meetings. It shall be the duty of the National Secretary to conduct the day-to-day business of the VTTA in accordance with the instructions of the NEC.

2.6.2 The National Treasurer shall keep, or cause to be kept, proper Accounts of the monies of the VTTA. Such monies shall be kept in the name of the VTTA in a Joint Stock Bank. No monies shall be withdrawn except with the sanction of the NEC. All cheques must be signed by any two of the current officers as follows: the National Treasurer, the National Secretary, the Chairman or the President.

2.7 Financial Year

2.7.1 The VTTA’s financial year shall commence on 1st November and end on 31st October, after which date the National Treasurer shall prepare a Balance Sheet and Accounts for the year. An Auditor elected at the previous AGM will audit these. The Balance Sheet and Accounts shall be submitted to the NEC for approval and subsequent presentation to the AGM for ratification.

2.8 Formation of Regional Groups

2.8.1 The VTTA shall be divided into Groups as may be necessary.

2.8.2 The minimum number of members to form a Group shall be ten. The NEC shall have the authority to sanction the formation of a Group with fewer than ten members if they consider the circumstances are justified.

2.8.3 A member shall have the right to choose the Group to which he/she wishes to be attached. A member wishing to change from one Group to another shall give one month’s notice to the National Secretary who shall advise the Group Secretaries concerned and the change shall be effected as soon as possible.

2.8.4 All Groups shall affiliate to their local District Council of CTT, except for the Scotland Group which shall affiliate to the SCU.

2.8.5 Each Group shall elect its own officials for the purpose of local administration and the observance of the National Rules and Regulations.

2.8.6 All Group officials shall act in accordance with the instructions of the NEC.

2.8.7 Where Groups are not self-supporting the NEC may, when it is deemed necessary, afford financial support.

2.8.8 Each Group shall be run as a club, hold an AGM and make such extra rules and arrangements for the running of the Group as may be considered necessary, provided they do not conflict with the National Rules and Regulations of the VTTA.

2.8.9 Copies of the Minutes of all meetings (signed by the Group Chairman and Secretary) shall be available for submission to the NEC.

2.8.10 Each Group shall consider the Agenda of the National AGM, as issued by the National Secretary, in order to mandate its delegates on proposals on the Agenda.

2.9 Subscriptions

2.9.1 The annual subscription shall consist of two parts, payable together:

(a) A National subscription which shall include the cost of The Veteran and will be determined annually at the National AGM.

(b) A Group subscription which will be determined annually at the Group AGM.

2.9.2 The combined subscription for any member is payable on election and on 1st January of each year thereafter, except that new members elected after 30th September in any year will be entitled to the privileges of membership until 31st December of the following year.

2.9.3 An applicant for membership must complete the prescribed form and submit it with the appropriate subscription to the Secretary of his/her chosen Group. If the applicant is not elected, the subscription will be returned.

2.9.4 Where one member of a household is a member or Life Member, other members of the household may join at a reduced rate to be determined annually at the National and Group AGMs as appropriate. Such members will have the same rights and privileges as other members but will not receive personal copies of VTTA publications. This will be referred to as ‘joint membership’.

2.9.5 A member who has not paid his/her subscription by 31st March in any year shall forfeit all rights and privileges of membership.

2.9.6 Within four weeks after the end of each quarter, the Group Treasurer shall forward to the National Treasurer all National subscriptions received during the quarter, together with a statement of accounts. For the purpose of these Rules, quarters shall consist of the three-month periods ending 31st March, 30th June, 30th September and 31st December.

2.10 Life Membership

2.10.1 A member who has completed ten years’ membership may apply to his/her Group for Life Membership of the VTTA.

2.10.2 The fee for Life Membership for individual members will be £50. The fee will include the cost of an annual Handbook, but will not include the cost of The Veteran which, if required, will be charged at a rate determined annually at the National AGM.

2.10.3 Joint members applying for combined Life Membership shall pay the same as a single member, plus one third of the appropriate fee.

2.10.4 Twenty-five per cent of the Life Membership fee shall go to the member’s Group, the rest to the National Treasurer.

2.11 Honorary Life Membership

2.11.1 Distinguished Honorary Life Membership may be awarded to members who, in the opinion of the AGM, have rendered singular and meritorious services to the VTTA. Nominations for this award must be submitted to the NEC before 21st November for consideration at the next National AGM.

2.11.2 Honorary Life Membership will be granted to any member over 80 years of age who has been a member of the VTTA for over 25 years and will include receiving copies of The Veteran free of charge.

2.11.3 Where the Distinguished Honorary Life Member or Honorary Life Member holds a joint membership, the other partner may remain a member in his/her own right for an annual individual subscription less the cost of The Veteran as charged to Life Members. They will not receive an additional copy of The Veteran.

2.12 National Annual General Meeting

2.12.1 Those entitled to vote at the National AGM shall be:

- two delegates representing each Group plus a further delegate for every 100, or part of 100, members in excess of 200; and

- two delegates representing the NEC. NEC members may not be delegates for their own Groups.

2.12.2 Voting at an AGM shall be by a show of hands unless the meeting demands that a ballot is taken. The Chairman shall have only a casting vote.

2.12.3 When a Group is not represented, any proposal tabled by that Group on the Agenda will be withdrawn by the Chairman.

2.12.4 The National AGM shall elect annually a President, who may hold office for not more than five years. Nominations must be submitted to the National Secretary not later than 21st November for inclusion in the Agenda and publication in The Veteran. The AGM shall also elect the NEC for the ensuing year.

2.12.5 Not less than 14 days’ notice of the AGM shall be given in The Veteran, on the website and sent to Group Secretaries who shall furnish the names of their delegates to the National Secretary as soon as they have been appointed. A copy of the agenda of the meeting shall be published in the current issue of The Veteran and also sent to Group Secretaries and delegates. Fifteen delegates and/or ex-officio members shall form a quorum.

2.12.6 Motions for the National Annual General Meeting can be submitted only by:

(a) the NEC; and

(b) Groups – providing the motion has been agreed by a majority at the Group AGM. Such motions must reach the National Secretary not later than 21st November of the respective year.

2.12.7 Any matter not on the National AGM Agenda may be brought forward without notice provided that it does not involve the alteration of any rule or regulation and subject to the consent of two thirds of those present and voting.

2.12.8 A special meeting may be called by the NEC or, alternatively, by the National Secretary on receiving a request signed by 25 members. All members entitled to attend shall receive 14 days’ notice of the special meeting with a copy of the agenda stating the special business to be transacted.

2.13 Alterations to Rules and Regulations

2.13.1 No alteration or addition to these Rules shall be made except with the consent of not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting at the AGM or at any special meeting for this purpose. Alterations or additions to Regulations at such meetings will be decided by a simple majority.

3. REGULATIONS

3.1 Time Trials Regulations

3.1.1 All VTTA time trials shall be run in accordance with the rules and regulations of CTT or the SCU. VTTA time trials will be Type A events: either “Open”, “Semi-open” or “Association”, as defined in the CTT regulations.

3.1.2 In all VTTA Group promotions, in addition to the levy paid to the CTT or SCU Treasurer, a levy of 50p per entrant will be payable to the VTTA National Treasurer.

3.1.3 Any member wishing to enter a time trial shall submit to the Event Secretary a standard CTT (SCU in Scotland) entry form, properly completed, including the section ‘For Veterans Only’.

3.1.4 In all VTTA events, only VTTA members will be eligible for any of the awards made on Standard.

3.1.5 Only first-claim members of a club are eligible for team awards in events promoted by the VTTA.

3.1.6 At the discretion of the event organiser, the field may be divided into age groups and Standard awards made to the winners of each group.

3.1.7 Overall prizes and Age Group prizes in all VTTA events shall be decided on the basis of the official VTTA Standard Tables, except that there may also be prizes based on actual fastest and on handicap.

3.2 Regulations for Standard Rides

3.2.1 Standard Medals will be awarded for rides at 10, 25, 30, 50 and 100 miles, 12 hours and 24 hours based on the VTTA Standard Tables. 12 hours and 24 hours distances shall be shown to two decimal places.

3.2.2 Any VTTA member may attempt to gain VTTA standard medals in any Open, Semi-Open or Association event which appears in the CTT or SCU handbooks. Events that are eligible for Standards shall also be eligible for Records, Best All Rounder Competition (B.A.R.), Three Distance Competition and Trophies.

3.2.3 Applications for standards may be made as follows:

(a) A single attempt at any distance or time on one type of machine (i.e. bicycle, tricycle, tandem bicycle or tandem tricycle) in a nominated event.

(b) Any number of attempts in the same season at any one distance or time on one type of machine.

(c) Any number of attempts per season at all distances or times on one type of machine.

3.2.4 Riders making a single attempt for a Standard Medal must give notice direct to the Group Recorder. This notice, which must be accompanied by the appropriate fee (see Regulation

3.2.5), must be postmarked at least two days before the date of the event. Riders who have paid bulk fees as per Regulation 3.2.3 need not notify the Group Recorder of their intention to ride in a particular event.

3.2.5 Each Group shall be allowed to determine its own standard ride entry fees. Payment of one fee does not cover two types of machine.

3.2.6 Only one award for a ride at each distance will be made during any one year, but there is no limit to the number of attempts that may be made.

3.2.7 For each type of machine, only the best result at each distance or time achieved in comparison to the VTTA Standard Tables will be recorded for that season.

3.2.8 Claims for Standards must be submitted to the Group Recorder at the end of the racing season or not later than 31st October. A rider must have a minimum of four medals to qualify for a plaque in lieu.

3.2.9 Each VTTA Group may elect to have either Standard or Actual times engraved on Standard Medals/Plaques.

3.2.10 Once a rider has won a Standard Award, the rider must beat his/her previous best plus against Age Standard in order to obtain another award in a later age group. However, a rider may elect not to count any rides done more than seven years before if they have not received a Standard Award on that machine at that distance during that period.

3.3 Regulations for Age Records

3.3.1 Road record rides will be recognised only when achieved in events listed in the CTT or SCU handbooks, timed on watches complying with the requirements of those bodies and run in conformity with their regulations.

3.3.2 Record Certificates are awarded for rides at 10, 25, 30, 50 and 100 miles, 12 hours and 24 hours to riders of solo bicycle, solo tricycle, tandem bicycle or tandem tricycle (Men, Ladies and Mixed) in any event listed in the current CTT or SCU handbooks as an Open, Semi-Open or Association Event.

3.3.3 The VTTA also recognises Indoor and Outdoor Track records on solo bicycle and tandem bicycle at the following distances: 5, 10 and 25 miles; 1 hour; 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 km. Records in the VTTA Handbook are as at 31st October of the previous year.

3.3.4 Claimants must be paid-up members of the VTTA at the time of the ride.

3.3.5 No record will be considered if a better time or distance has already been achieved by a record holder of a greater age.

3.3.6 Claims for records will be for the period from 1st November to 31st October and must be made to the National Records Secretary giving full details of the event together with a printed result sheet not later than 31st October of the current year.

3.4 Regulations for National Championships

3.4.1 National Championships will be promoted on behalf of the NEC at 10, 25, 30, 50 and 100 miles, 12 hours and 24 hours. The dates of all National Championships will be published in the VTTA Handbook.

3.4.2 To be eligible for Championship awards, riders must be paid up VTTA members at the closing date for entries and have complied with Regulation 3.1.3. Riders who are aged 39, but who will be aged 40 by the day of the Championship, may apply to the Secretary of their chosen Group for their membership to commence on their 40th birthday. If their application is accepted, they will be eligible for Championship awards.

3.4.3 Each of the seven Championships will incorporate men, women, bicycles and tricycles. Where the event is run by a VTTA Group and it is oversubscribed, acceptance of entries shall be in order of best on Standard with preference given to VTTA members.

3.4.4 The rider with the biggest plus overall will be declared the National Champion. The rider with the biggest plus in each of the age groups: 40-49; 50-59; 60-69; and 70+ will be declared the Age Group Winner. The age of the rider will be determined as that on the day of the event.

3.4.5 Medals will be awarded to the first three overall on Standard and to the actual fastest rider overall. The first on Standard will also receive a Championship jersey. A medal will be awarded to the rider with the biggest plus on Standard in each Age Group except where that rider is the National Champion.

3.4.6 Unless he is the National Champion, the man riding a bicycle and having the biggest men’s plus will be declared the National Men’s Champion and receive a VTTA medal.

3.4.7 Unless she is the National Champion, the lady riding a bicycle and having the biggest women’s plus will be declared the National Ladies’ Champion and receive a VTTA medal.

3.4.8 Unless he/she is the National Champion, the tricycle rider having the biggest tricycles’ plus will be declared the National Tricycle Champion and receive a VTTA medal.

3.4.9 Teams will consist of three first-claim members of the same club. The Team with the biggest cumulative plus on Standard will be the Championship Team and a medal will be awarded to each member of the team.

3.4.10 In the 25 Mile Championship, all Groups with five or more finishers, at least two of which must be under 50 years old, will qualify for the Group Team award on Standard. The five best plusses, which must include at least two of those under 50, will count. The Group with the highest aggregate plus will be the Group Team Champions and each member of the Group Team will receive a medal.

3.4.11 Men or ladies on bicycles or tricycles are all eligible for Age Group and Team awards.

3.4.12 Tandem Championships will be run in conjunction with the solo Championships and the pair with the biggest plus on Standard will be the Tandem Champions and will receive VTTA medals.

3.4.13 All VTTA awards will be made regardless of the number of entries and irrespective of any prizes given by the promoting Group.

3.5 Regulations for the B.A.R. Competition

3.5.1 A Best All Rounder competition is promoted annually by the VTTA and is open to all its members. Eligible rides must be done in events which appear in the CTT or SCU handbooks and shall be over 25, 50 and 100 miles and 12 hours.

3.5.2 The closing date for eligible events to count will be 15th October.

3.5.3 The formula for deciding the competition is as follows:

The actual time or distance achieved in each event is converted to speed (mph) and the average of the resultant speeds is calculated to 3 decimal places.

The time or distance applicable to the rider’s age on the date of each event from the VTTA Standard Tables is converted to speed (mph) and the average of those speeds calculated to 3 decimal places.

The comparison between the averages determines the winner of the BAR Competition.

3.5.4 Claim forms, supported by official result sheets, must be sent to the Group Recorder for verification. The Group Recorder will then send them to the National Recorder to arrive not later than 31st October of the current year.

3.5.5 B.A.R. Certificates shall be presented to all riders completing the four distances. Tandem riders who complete all distances with the same partner are eligible for certificates, but not for any other awards.

3.5.6 Club teams shall consist of three first-claim members of the same club. Ladies’ Club teams shall consist of two first-claim members of the same club. Group teams shall consist of six members of the same Group.

3.6 Regulations for the Three Distance Competition

3.6.1 A Three Distance Competition will be promoted annually over 25, 50 and 100 miles.

3.6.2 The formula for deciding the competition shall be the rider’s aggregated plus minutes and seconds for the three distances when compared against the standards as shown in the VTTA Standard Tables.

3.6.3 All other conditions of qualification to this competition shall be those of the B.A.R. Competition. Awards shall be the same as for the B.A.R. Competition.

3.7 Entry to, and Claims for, the B.A.R. and Three Distance Competitions

3.7.1 There are no entry fees for the B.A.R. and the Three Distance Competitions. Claims for either or both Competitions must be made on the current National B.A.R. and Three Distance Claim Form.

3.8 Meritorious Award

3.8.1 The C. W. Cooke trophy is awarded annually to the rider whose performance is considered by the NEC to be the most meritorious during the season. Nominations from Groups should be received by the National Secretary no later than 21st November.

3.9 Bricknell Memorial Award

3.9.1 A fund was set up in memory of a former President, Ted Bricknell. It provides for an annual award presented for outstanding services to the VTTA. Nominations from Groups should be received by the National Secretary no later than 21st November.

3.10 Return of Trophies

3.10.1 Should there be a time when a trophy or trophies is/are no longer required for presentation (e.g. the demise of the VTTA or abandonment of events at specific distances) then all reasonable measures will be taken to return them to the original donors or their heirs.