Ferret,
I too have heard of rumours of this breakaway club - it may well be the same one that you have considered joining. Interestingly many I know have indicated an interest in doing so have been the subject of my attemots to out you!
As I understand it, those interested in joining the breakaway club are more than a little pissed at the inability of KOCC to cater for riders in the upper two grades, that the merger might be one way that they can ride races that challenge and interest them hosted by their own club, and the perception that some within the KOCC hierarchy are "soft pedalling" on this merger because they have this insane view that KOCC is meeting the needs of all of its members.
As I understand it, this is what has occurred to date:
1. HDCC approached KOCC with a view to talking about a possible merger - nothing more. HDCC, rightly in my view, wanted to have a conversation because it had no idea what KOCC might think about merger, and invited KOCC to respond. It was a genuine and positive approach.
2. KOCC took too long to respond, and did so only after polite requests for a response from HDCC. Not sure whether it was just circumstances, ineptitude or just "softpedalling". Unfortunate.
3. The President and Secretary of HDCC attend the GM that followed the KOCC AGM in December 2009. While they both went off on tangents that seemed to have confused some of the KOCC members present and were used by other KOCC members to attack the proposal (these people seem to have watched a bit too much Judge Judy IMPO), the clear thrust of what President Mick and iLovell said was "a merger is good for cycling and good for the clubs, let's have a conversation". To see some of the KOCC naysayers trying to cross-examine two people who were there with good intent and who were ultimately guests of KOCC was unfortunate.
4. The conversation that then followed at the KOCC followed Ian and Mick's departure was typical self-serving nonsense from some at KOCC "we are the only club that caters for all grades" - interestingly from people who I have not seen throw a leg over a bike with a number on their back for a long while. There was some "shock" when a few of our most respected elite level riders voiced their views, to the effect that they were not well catered for and were not happy. Do not know why there was shock as I have been saying the same thing for a long time - back when I was in B grade (so you all know it was a while ago).
5. Nothing much has happened since.
6. Some of the HDCC and KOCC people who support merger are convinced that the lack of progress signals a doomed merger proposal, and whispers about a small breakaway club have started.
FWIW, I think those who think merger is dead are being unduly pessimistic, with due respect to them. They are letting the softpedallers win. To use a cycling analogy - there is a huge bunch in support of the concept of merger, and a few slow naysayers manage to get a break, and the bunch stops pedalling. FFS, the bunch needs to chase and attack with the vigour that Ebo chases Stoj down, or Vets members chase other Vets members down during a public holiday race.
With the exception of the core naysayers in KOCC and perhaps one person on the HDCC Committee, I have not heard anyone say merger is a bad idea - some have said there are issues that need to be worked out, and they are 100% correct.
If KOCC do not intiate the proposed discussions, because there are softpedallers stalling the process, then perhaps HDCC can come up with a concrete proposal to put to KOCC, and if necessary supportive KOCC members can trigger a Special Meeting of KOCC if that proposal is not given proper and timely consideration. I know there are many KOCC members, me included, who would be happy to sit down with HDCC and work out a concrete proposal.
Good to have you back Ferry. How is Venice?
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