member focus - Rapid Wheelmen

spoke’n word
official newsletter of the rapid wheelmen bicycle club
RENEWal incentive
Holiday Party
Groupo:
Renew by the 1st of March, and you will be
placed in a drawing to win your choice of
Wheelmen clothing.
I'm guessing about 50 or so people came out
to the Schnitz for the party last night. Drinkspecials and appetizers were courtesy of your
good ol' bicycle club. It was good to see lots
of familiar faces and hopefully everyone had a
good time catching up with each other.
rw 2008 points awards
Thanks,
Jeff F.
Adults:
1st Jochen Ditterich
2nd Dennis Hamel
3rd Mark Hager
Holiday photos by Mike Burden
http://mwburden.com/misc/RWHol2009/
Juniors: 1st Kate Hamel
2nd Ben Hager
member focus
Is the club focused in the right direction?
Is the club meeting your needs?
Is there something missing?
The board is always open to your suggestions and opinions.
Contact any board member and/or bring it to your club meeting.
Febuary 2009
Board Members
President
Bob Ayars
[email protected]
Vice President
Kim Kordecki
[email protected]
Director Emeritus
Jeff Festian
[email protected]
Secretary
Becky Cushman
[email protected]
Treasurer
Ron David
[email protected]
Head Ride Captain
Greg Blake
[email protected]
Safety Chair
Jochen Ditterich
[email protected]
Membership Chair
Jim Steenwyk
[email protected]
Race Team Captain’s
Dennis Hamel (Road) / Jeff Festian (Off Road)
[email protected]
PRESIDENTS SPIn
Happy New Year. Here is wishing you more miles of riding than last year.
The out going board members of the board have given a great deal of
their time and effort to the club and I thank them for their dedication. Jeff
Festian ex-president and now Director Emeritus/Co-Race Captain has set
another level of excellence in the continuing line of presidents. Thanks Jeff
for a job well done.
I would like to welcome the new board members to the board. Kim
Kordecki as VP, Dennis Hamel as Co-Race Team Captain, and Greg Black
as Head Ride Captain. As mentioned above we have Co-Race Captains
this year. Dennis will cover road racing and Jeff will cover mountain bike
racing. Dennis has gotten the club renewed with USA Cycling, so race team
members can enter Rapid Wheelmen as their team affiliation.
To start this years sponsored events is the Bicycle Film Festival and is
slated for Saturday February 7th at the Wealthy Street Theatre. Show time
is slated for 7:30pm. Come out and support a fun event.
Bob Ayars, President
Special Events & Publicity
Linda Doran
[email protected]
Newsletter Editor
John Kowalczyk
[email protected]
Website
John Crankshaw
[email protected]
Event Directors
100 Grand
Vacant
[email protected]
This is it, the end is here ?????
The end, that is, is for those who have not renewed their membership.
Please note that this is the last issue of the
spoke’n word
Maple Leaf
Mike Burden
[email protected]
that you will receive until the Membership Chair has your
Colorburst
Joshua / Amy Duggan
[email protected]
RENEWED MEMBERSHIP.
Time Trials
Carolyn Chapman
[email protected]
Page 2
Membership Year: Jan. 1 to Dec. 31
rapidwheelmen.com
Febuary 2009
febuary meeting
Kentwood Library 4700 Kalamazoo SE
7:30 pm Thursday February 5, 2009
This Month’s Agenda:
• Meet your New Board
• Colorburst Fund Presentation
• Mike Clark from JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)
• Annual Swap Meet
Bring some of your good stuff to WHEEL and DEAL @ the Annual Swap Meet
100 grand volunteers needed
36th Annual 100 Grand
me..me..me..pick me
Its planning time again for this year’s 100 Grand, to be held on June 6. This will DEFINITELY be my last year as chief of this
awesome event, but much help is needed in order to pull it off successfully.
1. Someone needs to step forward to be the 2010 Director. Do it now. That way, we can work together this year, making
your work far easier next year. It’s a great event for the Club, and has been hugely rewarding for me for the past three
years to be the Director. Give me a call, or drop me an email to discuss. Or, ask any Club officer about it.
2. One spot sorely needed this year is to have a Volunteer Manager. This person will make certain that we have staffed all
of our critical positions on event day – registration, rest stops, SAG, cleanup, cookie-baking, road painting, and volunteer
riders for RB 101. There are a couple of other pickup/delivery items that need a volunteer as well. It would be a huge
load off my back to have this organized by someone other than me.
3. Three critical positions are already filled – Renee and Jeff Zylstra have agreed to once again direct RB 101. Caroline and
Greg Blake will take responsibility for the route organization, map making organization (this doesn’t mean you’re off the
hook, Mike!) and getting the road painting volunteers organized. John Crankshaw will be the Ride Day Go-To- Guy.
Lots of help is needed and wanted. Your suggestions are always welcome. Thanks in advance for making this such a great event.
Contact me anytime at [email protected] or 245-3341.
Page 3
rapidwheelmen.com
Febuary 2009
talkn shop
for sale
- 17" Windsor RR frame
ALGER’S ANNUAL ALGER’S
- Several 19-20"ANNUAL
older good RR bikes
GARAGE SALE GARAGE SALE
- Several pairs of Good to Brand new racing wheel sets.
- Brand New 56cm Fuji Team Issue Bicycle
ALL BEST OFFER
Call with questions.
Tony Obermeyer
ALL HELMETS,406-7722
BICYCLES, GLOVES, TOOLS, CLOTHING, SHOES, WHEELS,
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ALL HELMETS, BICYCLES, GLOVES, TOOLS, CLOTHING, SHOES, WHEELS,
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CASH AND CARRY, DELIVERY NOT INCLUDED, ORDERS ONLY 6% OFF
WE MEAN EVERYTHING! REGULAR PRICED AND SALE PRICED ITEMS.
CASH AND CARRY, DELIVERY NOT INCLUDED, ORDERS ONLY 6% OFF
FOR TWO DAYS ONLY!!! FOR TWO DAYS ONLY!!!
volunteers needed
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(616) 243 - 9753
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MSRP: $149.99
SALE: $99.99
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SIGMA BC 800 COMPUTER
MSRP: $24.99
SALE: $14.99
100 grand
Schwinn 430
ELLIPTICAL
MSRP: $900.00
SALE: $725.00
Giro Pneumo Helmet
MSRP: $149.99
SALE: $99.99
e tube!
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uy a tire,
colorburst
The Ride of Silence will again take place in 2009, on Wed. May 20th at 7:00 PM, in dozens of Michigan cities, and hundreds of locations worldwide. (Though early for locations to submit Ride info, I noticed on the national website we’ve already picked up a
new international site at Guadalajara Mexico)
Michigan should again be the #1 location in the world, where cyclist band together,
to honor and remember family and friends who’ve been injured or killed by motorists
while enjoying an activity they love, and hope to raise awareness of cyclists rights to
the road.
The League of Michigan Bicyclists again lends their full support to the Ride. I began
contacting past organizers, clubs and bike shops in the fall, to get as many confirmed
MI locations as possible, so they could be listed in the LMB’s 2009 Annual Ride Calendar. The LMB will dedicate a special page, in support of the 2009 Ride and all MI
locations
Page 4
rapidwheelmen.com
Febuary 2009
MICHIGAN CONFIRMED RIDES OF SILENCE FOR 2009,
Supporting Clubs and Shops:
Adrian, Contact:
Behind Croswell Theater, in the city lot
Jim Dickson [email protected]
Ann Arbor, Contact:
Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society, From Wheeler Park, corner of N 4th Ave & Depot St, 7.4 miles
Kathleen Donahoe, [email protected]
734-996-4985
Battle Creek, Contact:
Battle Creek Bicycle Club, from Getaway Sports, located at 636 Capital Ave
Chad Curtis, [email protected] 269-979-1996
Bay City, Contact: Tri-City Cyclists, starting at Bay County Health Dept. parking lot on Washington St.,
north end of the downtown area, across the street from the Empire Theater.
John Geminder, Bicycle Headquarters Inc. [email protected] 989 496-2810
Boyne City, Contact:
North Country Bicycle Club, from Veterans Park, route is 10 miles
Mike Sheean, [email protected] (231) 582-4030
Detroit, Contact:
Wheelhouse Detroit, from Belle Isle, At Belle Isle, fountain area, 10 miles
Steve Roach, [email protected] 313 496 7933
Kelly Kavanaugh [email protected]
East Lansing, MSU Bikes Service Center, from MSU Campus at MSU Bikes Service Center
Bessey Hall Auditorium, lower level along the River Trail 300 ft. west of the Farm Lane Bridge.
Click for more location information/ maps etc. <http://www.bikes.msu.edu/maps.html>
Or http://www.bikes.msu.edu/maps.html 12 miles
Contact:
Tim Potter [email protected] 517-432-3414
Grand Rapids, Rapid Wheelmen Bicycle Club, from Riverside Park on Monroe Ave, 2nd park entrance, 11 miles
Contact:
Mark Hagar, [email protected] 616 987-9198
Page 5
Grand Rapids,
Contact:
WMCA Health Club on Lake MI Dr, Spin for Silence.
Deborah McDonald, [email protected]
Please contact Deb for availability for non-club members
Grayling,
Contact:
The Bicycle Shop, from the City Building at 1020 City Blvd, ride Heartwake St. Park & back. 16 miles.
Margaret Creps, [email protected] 989 348-9691
Grosse Point,
Contact:
Wolverine Sports Club, from American Cycle & Fitness, Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Woods.
Russ St. John [email protected]
Harbor Spring,
Contact:
Ride starts at Bay St & State St downtown Harbor Springs, outside Stafford’s Pier Restaurant. 10 miles
Christopher Benson, [email protected]
Haslett, Contact:
Tri-County Bicycle Assoc., from Haslett Middle School, 12 miles
Lenny Provencher, [email protected] 517-204-2971
Holland, Contact:
Cross Country Cycle, from Holland Civic Center on W 8th St., 10 miles
Laura Harris, [email protected] 616-396-7491
Houghton, Contact:
Cross Country Sports, 906 337-4520, from Michigan Tech MUB
Terry Smythe, [email protected] 906 482-8201
Iron Mountain,
Contact:
Check Ride of Silence website for details, 12.5 miles
Kevin Socia, [email protected]
rapidwheelmen.com
Febuary 2009
Jackson, Contact: Cascades Cycling Club, start location to be determined
Dave Spencer, [email protected]
Lennon, Contact;
Genessee Wanderers Bicycle Club (Flint), from OK Ind. parking lot, corner of Oak St & Lennon
Dave Otto, [email protected] 810 744-2471
Kalamazoo, Contact:
The Chain Gang, from W. Michigan University parking lot # 10, 12 miles
Mark Rose [email protected] 269 345-0123
Manistique,
Contact:
Menominee,
Contact:
Starts from Hiawatha Behavioral Health
Christina Riddle, [email protected] 906 202-2479
Midland, Contact: Tri-City Cyclists, Midland Civic Arena on Fast Ice Dr.
John Geminder, Bicycle Headquarters Inc. [email protected] 989 496-2810
Saginaw,
Contact: Tri-City Cyclists, at this time we don’t have an exact starting spot, but it will be in the Old Town area near The
Stable.
Check website for details.
John Geminder, Bicycle Headquarters Inc. [email protected] 989 496-2810
Saulte St Marie,
Contact: Pro Sports, Soo Bike Club, from Pro Sport, 10 miles
Anthony Talentino [email protected] 906-632-2775
Spring Lake, Contact:
(Muskegon area) West MI Coast Riders, from Central Park, 8.5 miles
Mark Stoll [email protected] 616 402-1359
Traverse City,
Traverse City Area Recreation, Transportation Trails (TART & Cherry Capital Cycling Club promoting the Traverse
City Ride. http://www.cherrycapitalcyclingclub.org/ for details, 8 miles.
The ride will again start at The Station Espresso Bar; www.webrewstarbucks.com , located near the Traverse Area
District Library at the site of the old railroad depot, Woodmere Ave and 8th St in TC.The2009 ride will honor the
memory of Carl Ray, CCCC member and avid cyclist.
Fred Schaafsma [email protected]
Contact: Westland, Page 6
Cycle Path Bike Shop, Spokes & Folks, from Menominee Yacht Club (MMYC) on First St.
Bill St Martin, [email protected] (906) 863-9361
Dave Thomas [email protected]
Contact:
(Dearborn-Livonia area) Metro South Chapter of the MI Mountain Biking Assoc., from Nankin Mills Pavilion, Hines
Dr, 13 miles
Joe Foy [email protected]
Ypsilanti, Contact:
Starts at Recreation Park, 1015 Congress Street (by the Senior Center), 5 –12 miles
Robert Krzewinski [email protected]
rapidwheelmen.com
Febuary 2009
ride calendar
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rapidwheelmen.com
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Febuary 2009
race’n
RACE’N Log for February 2009
2009 Team Roster
Dennis Hamel
(Captain - road racing)
Jeff Festian
(Co-Captain - mtb racing)
Joel Bierling
(2007 & 2008 Captain)
Dave George
Dave Staublin
Tom Scott
John Kowalczyk
Russ Greenwood
Dave Durkee
Josh Duggan
Mark Bailey
Tom McGovern
Nick Christensen
Brian Krause
Jeff Scoffield
Jerry Behl
Scott Walburn
Gary Trap
Tom Townsend
Brian Cornell
Mike Basel
Michael Walenta
Kim Lee
Greg Garret
Bill Thompson
Alison Gase
Dave Mordis
Bob Ayers
Lee Boughner
Our goal is to fly the Rapid Wheelmen name and colors and to have some fun. Fun hopefully including riding
together at races and getting some training rides together. One of the best ways to increase visibility and
provide a sense of belonging to a team is to have racers wear their Rapid Wheelmen jerseys while racing.
We have fun riding and racing our bikes. Road, mountain bike, and cyclocross racers of any level or age
are welcome to be part of our team. Podium finishes are always great to see but not an expectation of the
team. We offer the ability to better yourself on a bike. To improve your performance or help you gain skills
needed to make you a better racer through training rides, race support, and sharing knowledge.
Rapid Wheelmen Clothing & Kits are offered at cost to Race Team Members. Discounts on other
components and/or accessories are also available.
Current sponsors are: Rapid Wheelmen Cycling Club, Village Bike & Fitness, Velocity USA (wheels), Tifosi
Optics (eyewear)
Team Requirements:
1. Join the Rapid Wheelmen Cycling Club.
2. Compete in at least 5 official races registered as a Rapid Wheelmen and wearing the team jersey.
"Races" that qualify require an entry fee and also give you a placement relative to your competition.
3. Support your team mates, the Rapid Wheelmen, and our sponsors.
RACE’n report
Indoor Team Time Trial (12/27/08)
The Grand Rapids Bicycle Company invited us to join in a friendly
winter competition on Saturday December 27th with a few other
local teams. We got a chance to test out their new indoor virtual
reality computerized trainer system and had a little fun at the same
time.
Here is how it worked:
All three members of our team , Dennis Hamel, Tom Scott, and Jerry
Behl were on the virtual reality trainers at the same time. All three of
us then set out at the same time to ride the best time possible. The
time of the last rider across the finish line was used to determine overall standing, so we had to work hard to
keep together and work as a team. The system accounted for rider weight, wind speed, grade, and drafting.
It automatically changed the resistance to give a road-like feel.
Thanks to our supporters!
A big thanks to all the friends and supporters who came out and cheered us on. I saw Jeff F with Lydia and
Jackie, Big (Foot) Dave, Beth H with Mike and Katie, and Scofield phoning in his support. I don't know if we
won the team competition, but I am sure we had the best looking podium girls for sure! (Thanks to Katie,
Lydia and Jackie).
More to come:
Three of us took advantage of Brian's special offer and signed up for the January Time Trial Series while we
were there. I encourage you to join us if you are interested. You can visit their web site to sign up or for more
information. It is really a great time and a lot of fun.
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rapidwheelmen.com
Febuary 2009
race’n
What’s New for 2009 on the Race Team:
Race Team Points Challenge:
We will be having an ongoing contest amongst the race team members this year. Prizes will be awarded monthly.
Points will be awarded for race participation, team involvement, team wins, and training together. The goal is to increase participation, wearing of the team jersey, and having fun together! Check out the details, current standings, and
prize pool & sponsor information on the team website. http://raceteam.rapidwheelmen.com
Come RACE with us!
We are starting a new race team division this year for club members who want to try getting into racing, or those who
primarily want to race Time Trials and similar races but do not want to commit to the 5 official races required for
the main team. We want to offer you the support and encouragement of our team, help you learn and train with seasoned racers. The requirements for our “B-Team” is: You must be a Rapid Wheelmen member, own and wear a Rapid
Wheelmen jersey while racing and training, participate in ANY 5 races or time trials (RW-Ada time trials would count
for this team), support and encourage the Team.
UPCOME’N Races
Sat Mar 28, 2009
Sun Mar 29, 2009
Sun Apr 19, 2009
Sat Apr 25, 2009
Berry-Roubaix - Middleville, MI
A gravel road race through Berry County
Fisk Knob Time Trial - Fisk Knob Park (near Sand Lake)
The traditional start to the road racing season in West Michigan!
Yankee Springs Time Trial -MTB
Willow Time Trial - Willow Metropark, New Boston MI
USACycling Time Trial (near Detroit)
support your race team sponsors
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rapidwheelmen.com
Febuary 2009
grand rapids bicycle film festival
It’s year #2 for the Film Festival!!!! The combined efforts of the Western Chapter of the Michigan Mountain Bike Association and the Rapid Wheelmen bring you the Grand Rapids Bicycle Film Festival. After having a sell out last year
in the micro theatre, this year we’ve reserved the larger auditorium to accommodate more guests.
The pertinent info:
Date: Saturday February 7, 2009
Time: 7:30pm – 10:30pm
Location: Wealthy Theatre
Address: 1130 Wealthy SE, Grand Rapids, MI
Admission: $20 (includes 2 beverages)
Under 21: $15
15 & Under: No charge
It’s a great opportunity to socialize with friends, enjoy some Founders or New Holland brews, watch some cycling
movies, support a great cycling event, and just have a plain old good time! There will probably be an after party as
well with people gather at a “local establishment” after the movies are done.
The Film Festival is a fund raiser for the Midwest Mountain Bike Summit held this May in Grand Rapids. All profits
from the film festival will go towards that event. In addition to the movies there will also have a silent auction for a Velocity USA wheelset, a Rock Shox Reba mountain bike fork, a Uvex Sport Boss helmet, gift certificates to local shops,
and other various schwag. Many thanks to all the great sponsors for helping in this regard:
Ada Bike Shop www.adabike.com
Dave’s Bicycle Maintenance & Repair 616.481.1525
Freewheeler Bike Shop www.freewheelerbikeshop.com
Fun Promotions, LLC www.funpromotions.com
Michigan Youth Cycling (Mavic, Scott, Uvex, Canari, & Feedback Sports)
www.youthcycling.homestead.com
SRAM www.sram.com
Velocity USA www.velocityusa.com
Velo City Cycles www.velo-citycycles.com
Village Bike & Fitness www.villagebikeshop.com
You can find more information on the Film Festival on Facebook. Do a search for “Grand Rapids Bicycle Film Festival” and it should point your right to it. If you need more info, please contact Jeff Festian at papacanyouhearme@
sbcglobal.net (616.364.9101) or Nate Phelps at [email protected] (616.990.1402).
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rapidwheelmen.com
Febuary 2009
new members
On behalf of the Rapid Wheelmen,I would like to
welcome you to are club.
Robert Bloemendaal
Jim Steenwyk
Rapid Wheelmen Membership Chairman
Presently membership stands at 588.
This includes both adult and junior members.
Rw shop’n
T-Shirts
: $12.00
Shorts
: $65.00
Bib shorts
: $70.00
Jersey’s
: $60.00
Water Bottles : not available at this time
Red & White (old) style jersey’s on sale: $30.00 (limited selection of sizes)
…Support your club, ride in club colors…
Items will be available for purchase at club meetings/events
or contact Kim Kordecki [email protected]
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Febuary 2009
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PO BOX 1008 • GRAND RAPIDS MICHIGAN 49501
WWW.RAPIDWHEELMEN.COM
PRESORTED STANDARD
US POSTAGE
PAID
GRAND RAPIDS, MI
PERMIT NO. 1233
is this your last issue?
Rapid Wheelmen Membership Application
Name ___________________________________________
Address _________________________________________
City ________________________________ State _______
Zip __________Phone _____________________________
E-mail address _______________________________________
Family members ______________________________________
& birthdates__________________________________________
New address? Y
N
What year did you first join? _____________
Do not include my name in the printed membership list ____
Membership year: Jan. 1 to Dec. 31. Join after September 1 and you’ll
be a paid-up member until Dec. 31 of the following membership year.
Membership
___new
___renewal
$20.00
Three-year membership
$50.00
Club jersey
$60.00
size (circle) S M L XL XXL
Club short
$65.00
size (circle) S M L XL XXL
Club bibshort
$70.00
size (circle) S M L XL XXL
Add $4 shipping per item unless you pick up at meeting $4.00ea.
Donation
$_____
Total
$_____
Make check payable to and mail to: Rapid Wheelmen, Inc.
PO Box 1008
Grand Rapids, MI 49501
Waiver and Hold Harmless Agreement
I acknowledge bicycling is an inherently dangerous activity and that group rides may increase the risks. I agree not to sue, and hereby
waive any claims, and release, absolve and hold harmless Rapid Wheelmen, Inc. and its officers and members, and any other parties
connected with the organization, from any blame or liability for any past or future injury, harm, loss, damage or death sustained as a
result of participation in Rapid Wheelmen, Inc. activities. I shall abide by the rules and regulations of the Rapid Wheelmen, Inc., and
traffic laws and regulations, and I shall practice courtesy and safety in bicycling.
Signatures of all adult riders
Signature of parent or guardian (if applicant is under age 18)
date
date
date
date