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The President's MessageDecember 6, 2009It’s only been a week since I last rode my bike and I have to confess, I already miss it. As I skied/trudged my way around the trails of Kamview Nordic Centre today I thought to myself, “You know, if I wore another layer, I might be able to ride my bike today.” (ha ha!) While most of our members are no longer on the road, the wheels of the club continue to turn. I am proud to say that we now have a full slate of directors for the 2010 executive and that plans are being drafted for next year. Thank you to those who have volunteered to lead the club next year and to those who have agreed to assist them through various committees. If you want to get involved (or have any suggestions) please contact us at info@tbaycc.ca It is through volunteer participation that our programs will continue to grow and that we will enjoy the most success. What is in store for next year? Well, hopefully another successful season. (and personally, I am praying for fewer accidents!) Stay tuned to the website for future updates. So as visions of carbon fibre bits dance in your head please support your local bike shops and remember to be good to each other and those less fortunate. Take care, Dave November 7, 2009As Daylight Savings Time has ended so too has the schedule for the Thunder Bay Cycling Club. Reflecting back, we had quite a year, didn’t we? The 2009 season saw a plethora of changes that broadened the scope and size of our club. This season we managed to grow our club by 100 riders to 255 members. So how did we do it? Easy –we took some great ideas and people got involved! In 2009 we maintained the old tried and true programs: Road Touring, Road Racing and Mountain Bike Touring. At the first meeting of the year I dared the executive, “To say no to the status quo.” Thanks to the hard work of your executive: Bill Ulakovic, Susan Kajmowicz, Berto Pasciullo, David Curtis, Fabio Zorzes and Gene Vandal, we looked at all our existing programs with a keen eye to make sure that we were presenting the best and safest events possible. For the first time we put on paper racing rules for both road racing and time trials, dispute resolution procedures and volunteer marshal guidelines. We had turnouts in record numbers with tour riders showing up at races and racers participating in the Sunday road tours. We developed new programs:
All this saw us raise the presence of the club, while quietly highlighting to the rest of Thunder Bay that we are a vital part of the community. 2010 should be another exciting year for the TBCC. Returning to the executive are: Dr. William Ulakovic (Secretary), Fabio Zorzes (Mountain Bike Touring) and Gene Vandal. (Webmaster) They will be joined by new faces: Tim Knutson (Road Racing) Nathan Petrie (Coaching), Katie Spittlehouse (Promotions) and Pam Dawes (Member at Large). We will continue to build on our successes in 2009 and grow next season so be ready to be a part of the continued evolution. So you’re probably asking yourself -how can you be a part of this? It’s easy -get involved. Come out, participate and volunteer. We’re always looking for that set of extra hands to help us take the Thunder Bay Cycling Club to the next level. Ride hard and ride safely, Dave October 8, 2009Well, just as you think the TBCC’s season has drawn to a close, up pops another new venture! Kyle Fry (who represented Canada at the 2009 UCI World Cyclocross Championships in Hoogerhiede) has agreed to be our Sherpa guide and will try to teach us about this exciting sport. Don’t worry Kyle, since most of us have never ridden an actual cyclocross course and have only seen pictures or video –there will be no pressure. The plan is to hold a couple of clinics at Trowbridge Falls Campground. The first will take place on Saturday, October 24th at 11am. It will feature a one hour skills and spills session followed by a short one hour (or so) informal race. All that is required to take part is a bike (cyclocross, mountain or converted old road bike) and membership with either the TBCC and/or the BlackSheep. (membership is required due to insurance purposes) We hope to do this on a weekly basis until the snow comes and if it is successful perhaps a more complete schedule will be offered next year. So as our season draws to a close, we still have events occurring with our Mountain bike / Gravel Road rides. Please be reminded that our Annual General Meeting takes place on Wednesday, October 21 at 7pm in room C233 at Confederation College. Also the year end banquet will be held at the Nor’Wester Hotel on Friday November 6th. (stay tuned to the website and hotline for ticket information) Come on out and get involved! Ride safely, Dave PS Please take note that sunset is occurring earlier every day as the days get shorter. Like they will be telling all the kids at Halloween: dress warm, wear reflective clothing, use lights and be seen. Sept. 16th, 2009It turns out that cycling IS popular –even here in the outpost of the north, Thunder Bay. This season the Thunder Bay Cycling Club has grown to over 255 members - up from 149 members in 2008. So why is this happening? Well, we can probably attribute some of it to the return of Lance Armstrong to the pro peloton and the slow, steady shift to healthier lifestyles in our society. The other contributors to the TBCC’s rise in numbers are the changes we’ve made this year to the club itself. The Women’s Only Wednesday rides and the Caribou Charity Ride are two examples where we’ve been able to reach out to people who may not have given our club a second thought. I think it’s safe to say that the inaugural Caribou Charity Ride was a successful event. We had awesome weather, super volunteers and some excellent, top-notch partners for organizers and sponsors. Although I wish that more of our members had been able to be part of this positive experience, I think the ones who did had no regrets. Judging by all the smiles I saw, and the positive comments I have received, everyone enjoyed themselves. We achieved two goals by hosting that event: the first was raising cancer awareness; the second was giving back to the community in a positive manner. In a roundabout way this ride also gave non-members of our club an opportunity to try a club ride. Hopefully this was a positive experiences and next season we’ll be able to welcome some of these new riders to the club. Unfortunately, events like these don’t just happen and the club doesn’t run itself. We all need to get involved if we’re going to keep our existing programs running so that we can enjoy their many benefits. If everyone volunteers a little bit of their own time, we can continue to operate our programs and grow the club in a positive manner. So how do you get involved? The Annual General Meeting is just around the corner. (October 21st -7pm Confederation College room C233) As per the notice that was mailed to you late last month, we will be holding elections for all of the executive positions. The following individuals have stated that they DO NOT intend to return and their positions will be open: Susan Kajmowicz –Treasurer, Berto Pasciullo –Race Director, David Curtis –Touring Director. I’d like you to join me in thanking all of them for their service to the club. If you are interested in any of these positions or if you know anyone who you think should be nominated, please give me a call or send me an e-mail. The AGM represents an opportunity for you to hear about what the executive tried to achieve this season and for you to voice your opinion. So come on out and get involved! Let’s continue to work together and grow our club into a community leader that we can all be proud of. Ride safe and be a ROLL model! Dave August 10th, 2009As cyclists we are sometimes subject to bullying by motorists. This can vary from yelling or the honking of a horn that shocks or surprises the cyclist, to objects being thrown out of vehicles, to vehicles passing too closely, to cyclists being threatened and run off the road. We’ve all been exposed to it and the members of the TBCC have seen it all. (incidents too numerous to list here) So when I read this article How Should You Respond to Road Rage on Bicycling’s website, I thought that I should pass it along. So what else can we do? Well, Mr. Mionske is correct, advocacy is the answer. As a club we have encouraged our members to ride responsibly, the TBCC has continued its involvement with the TBDHU’s “Share the Road” program, this spring we did a spot on Shaw Cable 10 on bike safety, and recently I have taken the initiative to write to MPPs Michael Gravelle and Bill Mauro to request that the law be changed to protect cyclists. (similar to laws adopted this spring in Colorado) As individuals you can press Mr. Gravelle and Mr. Mauro for change; get involved in community activities, and most importantly lead by example and ride responsibly. It is only through advocacy that we’re going to see a change and a shift in the current culture. This will not only benefit us as TBCC cyclists, but also everyone who rides our community. Ride safe and be a ROLL model! Dave July 3, 2009When I was first elected as President of the club in October, I had numerous goals. Among those goals was a desire to increase cycling advocacy and to give back to the community in a way that would develop respect for the club. In January of this year I was approached by Jeff Hupka of the Caribou Restaurant with the idea that they would like to partner with the Thunder Bay Cycling Club to hold a charity ride. Knowing the reputation of the people at the Caribou / Keg and their experience in running numerous successful charity events (such as the motorcycle Ride for Dad), I immediately jumped at the idea. We sat down and discussed it, and about an hour later the “Caribou Charity Ride” was born. Who is the charity?Cycling has a natural tie-in with cancer charities through the work of pro cyclist, cancer advocate and survivor, Lance Armstrong. While there are numerous cancer fundraising cycling events in the country, there are none in our area. Jeff and I talked about tying in to another program such as “Livestrong” or “The Ride to Conquer Cancer” but decided that our fundraising efforts should stay where they would be appreciated the most –here in the community. Plus, we realized that if we could minimize our administration costs, we could see an increased benefit directly back to the charity. Why is this charity important?Statistics show that one in three people will have cancer at some point in their lives. Even those who are not diagnosed with this brutal disease often find themselves touched by it through friends and family members. No one is immune as it takes its toll on people of all walks of life, rich and poor, young and old. It is a disease that we need to focus our resources on and eliminate. The Northern Cancer Centre at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is one of the leading cancer treatment centres in Canada and possesses a very high success rate. The compassion and care that they offer is second to none and for that reason alone, we are proud to be fundraising for them. What is the Caribou Charity Ride?The 1st Annual Caribou Charity Ride will be held on September 13, 2009. The goal is to have between 75-100 riders. It will feature two distances: a 100km ride beginning at 9:30am and a 50km ride beginning at 10:30am –both beginning and ending at the Nor’Wester Hotel. (route maps are available on the website) The ride will be open to members of the general public ages 14 and up, so if you have family and friends that want to come out to the event, this is an excellent opportunity to ride in a group setting. The Cyclepath will be providing technical assistance at the start as well as along the route at various aid stations. A SAG wagon (support and gear) will sweep the route for any riders who run into difficulty. Upon completion of the ride, participants will be provided with a barbeque lunch at the Nor’Wester Hotel and a $25 gift certificate to the Caribou Restaurant. Individuals who sign up before August 15, 2009, will receive a custom Dri-fit t-shirt. What can you do to get involved?Sign-up forms are available at the Caribou Restaurant and The Cyclepath. For $55 you can be a part of the inaugural ride. Through the generousity of our event sponsors, the goal is to donate a majority of the entry fee (and any remaining funds) to the Northern Cancer Centre. (do the math, you’re getting your money’s worth!) We are proud to have the following sponsors on board to help ensure that we have a first class, successful event: the Caribou Restaurant, the Nor’Wester Hotel, Generator, The Cyclepath, Sportop Marketing, Sencia, the Northwestern Veterinary Hospital and Pfizer Canada. More information on the ride and how you can become involved is available at: www.cariboucharityride.com Please come on out and ride with us on September 13th. Show the rest of the community that the Thunder Bay Cycling Club is taking a leadership role by giving back to this worthwhile charity. Be a ROLL model! Dave June 2, 2009In the best interests of the club, this month, I'm presenting the following thoughts: The Rules of the Road and the Ontario Highway Traffic Act allow cyclists to use our roads and highways with the same rights and privileges as motorists. The Thunder Bay Cycling Club has devoted a lot of time this year to help get this message out through the local media and the Thunder Bay District Health Unit’s “Share the Road” program. Unfortunately, it has become evident once again that some of our members have not been adhering to these laws. During our Road Races we have a “Yellow Line Rule”. This is an Ontario Cycling Association rule, see www.ontariocycling.org/web_pages/comm_rules.php that we have adopted for our races due to the fact that the TBCC does not race on closed roads. Simply put, if you cross the yellow median line, you WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. Not following this rule results in situations like we saw in our first road race of the year. Racers attempting a pass, or shielding themselves from the wind, end up plugging up the whole lane of traffic. Worse yet, I saw situations where individuals moved out into the ON-COMING LANE. This is simply unsafe and unacceptable. And it’s not just happening in our Racing program. I have witnessed similar behaviour on our Tour Rides. Slower riders riding two and, in some cases, three abreast leave no room for other cyclists or motorists the opportunity to pass. Plugging up the lane or pulling out into the on-coming lane is not only dangerous for you, but it also potentially endangers the other riders in the group. Some of you are probably thinking, “Ah, he’s not talking about me.” Well, maybe, but the next time you’re out on the road think about what you’ve just read and take a look around -at yourself and the other riders. You might be surprised. While safety is a huge issue, there is a related item we need to take into consideration: public perception. With our brightly coloured jerseys and jackets, TBCC members are highly visible. Safe riding practices not only preserve your own health and well being, but can influence how the general public treats other cyclists. Negative public perception will only vilify cyclists and annoy motorists. We have all seen the "thumbs down" sign in the editorial section complaining about inappropriate cycling behaviour. If the police get involved they will show up and do whatever they feel is appropriate at the time. (i.e. shut down our racing program) We have all been at the receiving end of inappropriate behaviour from motorists, who purposely intimidate cyclists by passing too closely, honking horns, and throwing items at us. So how does the TBCC garner support for sharing the road, when our members are out there monopolizing it? How do we ensure the safety of our riders? To be honest, I’m at a loss for what to do. We have discussed this behaviour at executive meetings; I have addressed this in previous President’s Messages; it is regularly discussed prior to Road Tours; and we have implemented the Yellow Line Rule in our Road Races. Still, I see our members using the full width of the lane and ignoring the Rules of the Road on a regular basis. None of us want to see, or worse yet, be responsible for one of our members suffering serious injuries in a motor vehicle accident. Therefore, I am appealing to each of you to help self-police this behaviour. If you see someone riding on the wrong side of the road, out in the middle of the lane, or ignoring the Rules of the Road, please remind them of their responsibilities and the appropriate behaviour. We can all do our part to ride safe, ride smart, share the road and cycle responsibly. BE A ROLL MODEL!! Dave April 26, 2009Well, many of us have a month (or so) on our saddles and so far this year the weather hasn’t matched the enthusiasm of our members. All I can say is, “WOW!” It’s great to see all the planning that has gone on behind the scenes being so well accepted and embraced. We’ve had excellent turn-outs to both the Tour Rides and the Time Trials. I’ve seen a lot of crossover between the two groups, and so far I think everyone has enjoyed themselves. Our vision of one united club is slowly taking shape. The weather at our Tour Rides has been, well, cold! There’s been no threat of injury if someone were to fall off their bike as everyone has been bundled up like mummies. Seriously though, there has been one item of concern, and I ask that you give this some thought. I have seen numerous instances where our members are fanning out and riding three and four wide on the road right out to the yellow line. (including many long term members who should know better) This is not only dangerous, but it also annoys the motorists. As situations like this unfold we need to pause and be more cognisant of our actions before someone gets hurt. One injury could quickly change the complexion of any otherwise enjoyable ride. The Time Trials have been exceptionally well attended given the weather and how early it is in the year. We’ve had several new members and many returning members who are giving it a shot for the first time. Excellent! I think it’s fair to say that if we maintain this kind of attendance, I can foresee that we will eclipse our record of 55 racers. (set last year) Given the large numbers we have had it is imperative that you arrive at the starting line prior to your start time and at the conclusion of your “Race of Truth” that you call out your start number as you cross the finish line. This will help with the accuracy of the timing results and will avoid confusion in identifying the riders. During your race you need to make sure that you stay as far to the right as is safely possible. Faster riders may be passing you on the left and should call out to warn you prior to passing. Finally, please keep in mind that the Course Marshalls and Timer are essentially volunteers and are working to the best of their abilities. We need to be attentive and courteous towards them and give them the room they need to do their jobs. The Thunder Bay District Health Unit will be launching their “Share the Road” program this month. Initially, they were going to do a media launch from one of our Tour Rides but were told by the local media that it was, “too early”, “too far”, and “too cold”. (ha ha –I LOVE IT!) So those of you who have attended an early, long, cold Tour Ride this year, give yourself a pat on the back. Apparently you’re tougher than a two dollar steak! All kidding aside, this year the message will be “Share the Road and Yield to Life”. This borrows from Dave Zabriskie’s “Yield to Life” website, which is trying to personalize and humanize cyclists in the eyes of the motoring public. The hope is that motorists will recognize you as a life on bicycle and will pass you with a safe lateral distance. With the help of the Black Sheep President, Mike DelNin, we recently shot some new photos for the campaign. We did this with the hope that some of our Junior athletes (wearing bright TBCC jackets) will be featured in upcoming TBDHU promotions! Speaking of the Juniors, our new Junior program is slowly evolving under the watchful eyes of Dave MacIsaac and Kevin Paradis. Although they’ll never bang their own drums these two guys bring a wealth of personal experience, athlete focus, and infectious enthusiasm to the table. They have been meeting at 6pm on Tuesdays and on weekends at Lakehead University. If you know of any athletic, mature, young adults between the ages of 15 and 19 who are looking for someone to train with, this is an excellent group. Rides have been fun and informative, and the concept is to have the Junior racers learning skills, training, working and racing together as a team. (there have already been a few Top 10 OCup results!) We’re looking forward to expanding these young riders both technically and personally. After all, these are the future leaders of our club. There will be a Coaching Certification Clinic –NCCP Introduction to Competition A -conducted by Harry Curtis on April 30 to May 3rd. More information can be found at: http://www.tbaycc.ca/news.htm#NCCP It would be great if we could have a few certified coaches within the club so that we can increase the knowledge base. A new initiative of the club is a Women’s Only ride that will be starting at the Northwestern Veterinary Clinic on Oliver Road. http://www.tbaycc.ca/womens_ride.html Rides will be held on every first and third Wednesday night of the month at 6PM. Pam Dawes and Kate Tinkler have volunteered to organize these rides and we have the support of Fresh Air Experience and a new sponsor, Elegant Impressions. Ladies of all experience and abilities are welcome to attend. Please tell your friends as we’re looking forward to opening up the club to members who would otherwise not try the club. However, gentlemen –including closet “Drag Racers” -are encouraged to PLEASE stay home. Also new this month will be a “Introduction to Time Trials” clinic being hosted by Keith and Marilyn Ailey. This clinic is free to TBCC members and will be held on Wednesday May 20th at 6:30pm. (rain date Wednesday May 27) Riders are to meet at the Neebing Roadhouse with the clinic being held on Loch Lomond Road. Juniors, Seniors and Masters can prepare for their first Time Trial by learning about: Equipment, Rules, Setting Goals, Training, Strategy, and Pushing Your Personal Limits. Bring your helmet and your road -or TT bike! The TBCC has also been receiving numerous requests and opportunities from other charitable groups. We’re pretty committed to making sure that our own TBCC programs operate smoothly first, but we will continue to post these to the website for your information. So please continue to check the website as it is updated weekly. (sometimes daily) Finally, I’d like to remind those of you (and your friends) that have not already joined the Thunder Bay Cycling Club for 2009 that our club membership fees will be increasing by $15 as of May 31st. If you are planning on joining the TBCC, please sign up now. It will help us with our administration of the programs and will save you a few bucks too. Ride hard and ride safe! Dave February 23, 2009In referencing my 2008 training log, it appears I was out on the road for the first time on March 22nd. A 100km ride with some hardcore racers from the Neebing Hotel down to the US border for some Red Bull and Beef Jerky broke in my chamois. In hindsight, it probably wasn’t the smartest thing I’ve ever done, but it got me back on the bike and I had a great time. So why am I telling you this? Well, with March on the calendar it means that cycling season will soon be upon us! We (your Thunder Bay Cycling Club executive) have been very busy during the off-season trying to come up with new ways to enhance the whole TBCC experience. I am really excited about the opportunities and new initiatives that are in store for the 2009 season. If everything works out, this should be an excellent year! Since we’re all eager and getting ready to go, there are a few things I’d like to touch base on. As I stated in my New Year’s message, I am very concerned about the safety of all our members. This year I have asked the executive to rethink our approach and to put a priority on safety for all of our events. This will mean some changes to our previous practises and routes. However, safety is not simply up to the members of the executive. Safety is everyone’s responsibility and I’d like to see all of you adopt a similar approach. With our brightly coloured jerseys and jackets, (and soon, matching shorts!) TBCC members are highly visible. Safe riding practices not only preserve your own health and well being, but can influence how the general public treats other cyclists. So for 2009 I would like to encourage all of you to BE A ROLL MODEL!! Like safety, each of us needs to do our part to give back a little to the club. Contrary to popular belief, we’re not running a health club here. The TBCC is not a pay for play set up –it’s a hard working volunteer based organization that makes things possible. This means that ALL of us need to rise to the challenge and volunteer every once in awhile. Lead by example: volunteer for a committee, teach a repair clinic, marshall a time trial, sag a road race –throw an après ride party! It doesn’t have to be a huge time commitment, but as my predecessor likes to say, “Many hands make the load light.” You’ll feel good about yourself by helping others and you’ll strengthen our club in the process. The best opportunity to volunteer is with our Racing Program. With eighty nine (89) people who participated in our weekly Time Trial series in 2008, you’d expect that we’d be able to get two (2) volunteers for each of our twenty five (25) events. However, in 2008 we had a very poor volunteer response. Our Racing Director was scrambling trying to find bodies so that our races could go on -many times, he or his wife stood at the turn to make sure the event went off. From a safety standpoint it is imperative that we have at least one body marshalling at the turn. In fact, our OCA insurance requires it! The Time Trial schedule is posted HERE on the website. In an effort to help out Berto with a huge commitment, this year it will be simple. If we do not get the required volunteers to run the event, that event WILL BE CANCELLED. I should point out that many of the racers did volunteer and did work as marshalls last season. We appreciate the support that they, and in some cases, their families provided. However, there were more participants who chose not to do anything but show up, ride their race, and go home. This is sad. I’m not going to name any names, but you know who you are. As a club, we can do better than that. It’s easy (see duties HERE), and only a couple of hours, so please check the availability, send an e-mail to tbaycc [at] tbaycc.ca to sign up, and help preserve the schedule and the safety of our racers. Membership fees have now been set and are posted on the website, HERE. Unfortunately, due to rising costs we were forced to slightly raise the cost of the membership fees for 2009. You may have also noticed that there are three significant changes:
Finally, if you are planning on attending any TBCC event this season, one thing that will not change is the requirement that all participants must be a member or provide proof of insurance with another club. This means that fees must be paid in full with the application and waiver completed. (please be considerate of the event organizers and try to submit your membership applications ahead of the day of the event) Individuals who are not insured or who do not comply will be asked to leave the organized event. This is not because we don’t like you, it is strictly an insurance issue. In the event of an accident uninsured riders represent a liability risk to the club and possibly the other riders. Therefore, unfortunately our hands are tied and there can be no exceptions. So with March, the TBCC Spring meeting is almost upon us. Please mark Tuesday March 24 - 7 p.m. at Confederation College Room 233 on your calendar. This is your chance to hear what your executive has planned for 2009 and also gives you an opportunity to offer your input... so come on out!! Ride safe and support your local bike shops! Dave If you have any input, please forward your bombs and bouquets to: tbaycc [at] tbaycc.ca January 28, 2009It’s been two months now since the AGM elections and I kind of get a chuckle from members who don’t know me and have asked, “Are you a racer?” Others have asked, “Are you a tour rider?” Well, the answer is simple: Yes. I race. I also tour ride. Frankly, I enjoy both. Sadly, however, the truth of the matter is that the Thunder Bay Cycling Club has become a club divided. Generally the racers race, the touring riders tour, and there isn’t a lot of interaction between the two groups. Each seems to live independently of each other –and it doesn’t have to be that way. There are some great athletes, and great people, on both sides. It’s kind of funny, because while I’m one of the older racers, at 42 I’m also one of the youngest regular tour riders. Wendy Humphrey regularly gets a good laugh by referring to me as “the baby” of the tour group. While I can hold my own in a time trial, I have, on occasion, been “fed my lunch” on the tour rides. (and no, I don’t mean the buffet at the Nanibijou Lodge) I guess what I’m saying is that while the exterior can look a little worn, some of those veteran touring riders are hiding some surprisingly big engines. And getting out for a century or a double century tour ride can provide some great over distance training for racing. Speaking of racing, for those of you who are tour riders, you might be intimidated by the thought of racing. You shouldn’t be. In road racing the TBCC has four categories for riders and they range from novice to advanced. You can come out and ride with, and against, people of your own abilities on courses designed for your abilities. The time trials, well they are just that. It’s you against the clock. And while it’s nicknamed “the race of truth”, the results are grouped by age category. The truth of the matter is, the only one you have to beat is you –and your previous best time. They are a great introduction to racing, and a great way to improve your fitness level. So in an effort to try to bring the two sides of the club together, in 2009 the TBCC is going to introduce the “Ironman Series”. This new initiative is the brainchild of our past president and current Mountain Touring Director, Fabio Zorzes. Fabio came up with this idea a couple of years ago, but until now, it has not been implemented. Here’s how it will work: Points will be given for participation in tour rides, road races and time trials. The person who accumulates the most points, while attending a set schedule of events, will be the Ironman winner. It is designed to encourage participation in TBCC events and to hopefully provide some crossover between the racers and the touring people. We still need to hammer out the final details, so stay tuned.
Related to this, in an effort to honour one of our past members, the executive has voted unanimously to name this new award after Arnold Devlin. So who was Arnold Devlin? Well, Arnold was a past TBCC member who passed away last spring. I never had the pleasure to meet Arnold, but from what his friends have told me it sounds like he was a special individual with a good heart. Arnold lived for, and loved, all forms of cycling. He loved to participate in cycling, he loved to encourage others to participate in cycling, and that he loved to promote the sport of cycling in general. He travelled all over the world to attend rides and to witness races. His friend, Gene Vandal, can show you that Arnold had boxes upon boxes of press clippings, pictures and history of our sport. You can read some of it at:
Lakehead Wheelers Bicycle Club, So here’s the challenge I have for all of you in 2009. If you regularly ride the road tours -come and try a TT or a race. If you are a regular racer -come out on a Sunday morning and ride a tour. If you already do both –bring out a friend! You never know who you’ll meet and you might be surprised by how much you’ll enjoy a new experience. After all, it’s not called the Thunder Bay Cycling Racing Club or the Thunder Bay Cycling Road Touring Club. I strongly encourage you to come out in 2009 and enjoy all the opportunities the Thunder Bay Cycling Club has to offer. Be safe and please support your local bike shops! Dave If you have any input please forward your bombs and bouquets to: tbaycc [at] tbaycc.ca December 29, 2008Well, 2009 is now upon us, and a lot of exciting things are in store for cycling in the new year: Ivan Basso is coming back; Alexander Vinokourov is coming back; Lance Armstrong is coming back; and I’m getting reports that our own Bernie Lacourciere is in Black Ops training and planning a comeback ... Relax, I’m kidding … They’re not going to let Vino back in just yet! However, before we get too excited about 2009, I thought we should first reflect on the successful year the Thunder Bay Cycling Club had in 2008.
We also had several key successes racing at the Provincial level. First off, congratulations to Ontario Provincial TT champion Janet Sillman. Janet not only dominated her age group, but also had a faster time on the Plattsville course than many of the riders in the age groups below her. Katie Spittlehouse put in a strong showing at several OCup races and Nationals this year (including winning the GC at the Elliot Lake Provincial Championships) earning her an athlete card and a spot on Team Ontario for 2009. Well done, ladies! On the men’s side, Kyle Fry made the step up to Elite Men, but served notice that he has arrived with several strong results in OCup races as well as two fourth place finishes at the fall Toronto Pro-Am Cylco-cross. This has earned Kyle a non-carded spot on the Team Ontario roster. Matt Degiacomo, Brodie Pasciullo, and Sam Loud all put in strong performances as Juniors at various OCup races this season. Look for them to build on their experiences in 2009. So what should you, our members, look for in 2009?
We (your executive) are also looking for your input on ways that we can better run the club and how to better serve your needs. If you have any ideas, initiatives, or suggestions that you’d like to see incorporated in the next year, please send me a note via the club’s e-mail address. (tbaycc at tbaycc.ca) I can’t promise that we will be able to implement everything, but I’d like to hear what you have to say –and if you’re interested in getting involved -great! And finally, I’d like to say “thanks” to everyone who served on the executive and to those that volunteered their time and resources in 2008. A special thank-you to Linda Wagenaar and Peter Young who have left the executive in 2009. (Peter left such a big void he had to be replaced by TWO people!) Our club is solely based on volunteer efforts and without you, our club would not run as smoothly and efficiently or provide our membership with the opportunities that it does. Thank you. Be safe in 2009, and please, support your local bike shop. Dave Stay tuned to our website in 2009. From time to time I’d like to use this as a way to keep the membership informed of what your executive is trying to do and to try to help you feel connected to our decisions and initiatives. If you have any input please forward your bombs and bouquets to: tbaycc at tbaycc.ca December 12, 2008For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Dave Pinner -the President of the Thunder Bay Cycling Club for 2009 and an avid cyclist. You might not remember me, but you’ve probably seen me around at some point in the past three years. In that time I’ve morphed from NASCAR t-shirts and rowing shorts to more acceptable and stylish polyester and lycra cycling gear. You still might see me in my #26 Ricky Bobby shirt, but I’ve retired the rowing shorts for now. Trust me, the padding is simply in the wrong location. As president, one of my goals for 2009 is to raise awareness and grow the sport of cycling in our community. It is my opinion that we need the Local Bike Shops (LBS) as partners to make this happen. To achieve this the TBCC needs to work with the LBS to establish a relationship that is beneficial to both parties. This may be through direct sponsorship, mechanical clinics or special events support –anything to help foster the cycling culture. I have asked each of the retailers to determine what will work best for each of them and I am hoping that this will bring some exciting initiatives to our club in the new year. In the last couple of weeks since our Annual General Meeting I have made the rounds to the local shops (Fresh Air, Rollin’ Thunder, The Cyclepath, and Petrie’s) to touch base and to ask them how we can work together. The very first thing every one of them has raised to me is that they are happy to support the club but that our members are killing them with internet shopping. They all say the same thing, “I don’t care if people buy from my shop or the one down the street, as long as they are buying their bikes and accessories locally.” Now let’s think about this. As members of the TBCC we’re willing to collect the gift certificates and prizes from the LBS, but we are turning around and buying the same new bike equipment over the internet that is available from our local retailers. This is not healthy for the retailers and it’s not healthy for our community. Then to add insult to injury these same internet shoppers are showing up on the doorstep of the LBS asking that this equipment be serviced –sometimes as a warranty request. For a retailer that has had no stake in the original sale this often represents a cost to them –not only for their time and materials to complete the repairs but also in shipping and administration. If you’re one of these people, you might think that you’re saving a few bucks, but by doing this you’re really doing our club and our community a disservice. Now I’m not saying you have to be a sucker -be an informed shopper. The internet is a great resource for research and comparative shopping. Take those cherry prices you’re finding on the ‘net and go see if the LBS can match or come close. Once you factor in shipping and exchange on the dollar, you might be surprised. Plus, our local retailers will stand behind and service what they sell –unlike your purchases over the internet where in most cases, good or bad, it’s yours for life. And it’s simple, if we do not patronize the local shops, pretty soon, one by one, they are going to disappear. Say goodbye to the weekly shop draws. Say goodbye to the prizes and awards at the races and time trials. Say goodbye to that firsthand product knowledge. And when you discover you need that new tire at 9am on a Sunday morning and you’re trying to make it for the 10am Sunday ride, you’re going to be out of luck. Personally, I’d like to think that I have established an excellent relationship with the local shops. The service I get is front of the line and the prices I’ve paid have been comparable to or, in some cases, better than the deals I have seen on the internet. It’s nice to know that when I see the latest and greatest in my favourite cycling magazine that I can go down to the LBS, look at it, pick it up, and decide if that’s what I really want. If they don’t have it, they are usually willing to bring it in. All you have to do is ask. These people are willing to work with us, so let’s work with them. Let’s grow our cycling community together. So as you prepare for Christmas, be safe, and please, support your local bike shop. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Dave |