The AGM provides a chance for members to supply feedback to the executive about the club and its many events, and to meet the people behind the scenes!

We will also select a new executive for the 1998 cycling season. Executive positions include: President, Secretary, Treasurer, Promotion, Touring Chair, Mountain Bike Racing Chair, Road Racing Chair and Past President. Several of these positions, including that of president, are up for grabs this year. If you are interested in running for one of the executive positions, please attend the meeting. You need not be a long time member to run for office!

The Awards Banquet is our last social event of the year. You don’t have to be winning an award to attend the festivities. The banquet is for everyone so C’mon out and enjoy!

For ticket information, please call one of:

Graham Stewart  475-8095

Presidents Remarks

The 97 season is quickly coming to a close. There have been some real highlights for ‘97 in both touring and racing. In the road racing and time trials the B category has been very competitive with 4 to 5 riders very close to winning the overall title. The mountain biking has had an extensive racing season with Steve Mc Donald working very hard to ensure a successful season.

With the end of the ‘97 season in sight, the executive now looks forward to 1998 with our Annual General Meeting scheduled for October 15^th to select next years executive. I will be stepping down as your president after two years in the position. When I originally took the position it was with the idea that I would leave after two years to allow for new people to take over. I encourage all members to come out and support the executive and elections at the AGM. I ask that each member carefully examine the importance of the club to themselves and consider volunteering for one of our executive positions. It is only through a full slate of hardworking volunteers that we can have a successful club that puts on over 80 events per year.

I would like to thank those people who worked on the executive this year. Barb Lane was treasurer and not only looked after the money, but ran the time trials and has been a key helper at the road races. Steve McDonald ran the Mt. Biking program and has encouraged young riders to participate in out of town events. Aladar Reusz ran the Mountain Bike Kids program along with his many helpers. John Victor ran a packed touring schedule and Madeline Creighton kept the club records and helped at many of the road races, mountain bike races and time trials. To all the executive my sincere thanks for making 1997 a very good year.

There are still a few events remaining along with the banquet and I look forward to seeing everyone at the banquet.

Graham Stewart,President

Road Tour Report - "Life in Change"

I’ve gone from being a single bike rider to a married man. Debbie and I, with the aid of our friends Terry Bodnar and Dave Oja were married on August 2, 1997. The wedding was fun for all. Thanks to all our friends in the touring group who showed us that given some food, drink and place to gather, a party will happen. It was a great year for travelling roadies. Tour of Lakes had a great following of TBCC cyclists. I’ve been told that "The Church" is the place to go. Grabrawr was a good place to be this year. Guy, Dave, Deb and I, and our new romance couple Pat and Jim enjoyed 500 miles of pure party. A ride I would definitely recommend for those looking for some fun. Thunder Bay jerseys were seen in Colorado with a large group going to this year’s version of "Pedal the Peaks" .Dave & Margaret, Graham & Laurie, Edan & Mary, Marva & Doug, Lud, Hank, Madeline and Ruth toughed out the mountains and enjoyed the wonderful scenery. Our own local rides have been well attended. It’s been common for 25 or more riders to show for some of our Sunday adventures. Our Shaklee Century ride was cancelled due to rain. Our 200 was a tough grind this year, with a new route. From about 15 rides, only 6 finished. A good contingent of us did the annual Derriere Rouge ride. Weather was good and the company and beer was even better. Our last adventure in August was at Doug and Ruth Pantry’s camp at Squaw Bay. The sauna was hot, the lake cool, and the company and lunch were excellent and much appreciated. Our year isn’t over yet. I’m sure there will be more adventures and stories to tell before the snow flies!

John Victor, Touring Director

1997 Event UPDATEs

Tour of Lakes

The annual Paul Bunyan Cyclists’ Tour of Lakes was held in Pequot Lakes, MN on June 7. The Thunder Bay cycling club was well represented by its touring group with approximately 40 riders attending. A good time was had by all. Among the highlights of the tour:

The party at the Commander on Friday night

Al passing out non-alcoholic beer (you could tell it was his first tour)

Guy body surfing on the dance floor

Madeline’s crash

Niamh’s smiles at the rest stops

Tom knocking over Guy, knocking over Jim ...

Dropping Jeremy and making him change his own flat

Gordie going all the way!

Guy and Dave not going all the way ...

Lud’s table etiquette

The endless food at the rest stops

Beautiful scenery and great pavement

 

Mountain Bike Kids

This year’s Mountain Bike Kids program was bigger and better than ever. Over 40 kids attended the 5 week program. They spent 2 weeks learning bike skills and then spent the following 3 weeks riding the trails at Trowbridge Falls and Centennial Park to test the newly learned skills. Judging by the amount of mud emerging from the trails at the end of the session, the program was a sucess!

Special thanks to Aladar Reusz who organized and ran the program, to Jamie and Yen who were group leaders and to all the cyclists and parents who helped out during the course.

U.S. National 24 Hour Challenge

On June 14 &15, Graham Stewart and Doug Taylor travelled to Byron Center in Michigan to participate in a 24 hour endurance bike ride. It was the first time in this event for both Graham and Doug and they pedalled an impressive 253 miles (407 km). Graham admitted that he could have gone farther, but wanted to leave room so he could improve his distance next year!

Triple ByPass Ride

This memorable ride took place in Colorado on July 12, the day before the tour of Colorado began. Six TBCC members rose to the challenge - Laurie, Graham, Lud, Hank, Doug and Edan. They covered 110 miles and during the course of the day conquered the following passes: Squaw Pass (11,140 ft), Loveland Pass (11,990 ft) and Vail Pass (10,560 ft). What a ride!

Bicycle Tour of Colorado

Eleven riders and three family members from the Thunder Bay Cycling Club travelled to Colorado for the Bicycle Tour of Colorado, July 13-19, 1997. Club riders included Laurie Leslie, Graham Stewart, Ruth Pantry, Madeline Creighton, Lud Krysl, Hank Makkinga, Edan Corcoran, Margaret and David Curtis and Marva and Doug Taylor. We rode 750 km over 6 passes on a loop tour beginning and finishing in Breckenridge. The first day, from Breckenridge to Vail, required two climbs: Fremont Pass, 11,320’ and Tennessee Pass at 10, 424’. After climbing Vail Pass at 8,150’, we enjoyed a "tour" day along the Colorado River to Glenwood Springs. The rest day in Glenwood Springs was relaxing and fun as some of the group went hiking, water rafting, tour riding, or had visits to the springs and vapour caves. Back on the bikes the next day took us over McClure Pass at 8,755’ to Paonia. The ride along the Gunnison was very scenic with the Black Mesa being the highest point at 9, 150’. Monarch Pass, 11, 312’, was a beautiful ride ending in Buena Vista. Our final day took us over Trout Creek Pass, 9,346’, and Hoosier Pass, 11,541’, in a thunderstorm. It was a memorable week for all.

Marva Taylor

GIORG RISTORANTE & TBCC

FIRST ANNUAL "OVER FORTY" 40 KM INDIVIDUAL TIME TRIAL

Took place along Highway 61 on Saturday, September 13, 1997

Men's Category

Age Distance

Under 14 8 Km

15 - 18 yrs 16 Km

19 - 39 yrs 16 or 32 Km

40 & over 16 or 32 Km

$15.00 TBCC Members

$20.00 non-TBCC Members

$25.00 Late registration fee (Saturday morning)

Ladies ALCYON Road Bike - 53" frame, w/Shimano 105, downtube shifting, Mavic 192 rims, Continental tires Call Barb @ 345-6724

 

Trek 1200, 61 cm frame $600 Call Joe @ 983-2140