December 2012 President’s Letter
The Election Is Over! Our Side Won!
I would like to thank those of you who came to the November KBC monthly meeting and voted for the Executive Board members of the Kalamazoo Bicycle Club.
The new lineup looks remarkably similar to the team that was in place last year: Secretary Mary Gerger, Treasurer John Olbrot, Vice President Doug Kirk, and President Zolton Cohen. We look forward to a safe and exciting 2013 season.
I will also add, personally, that I am very pleased to be serving with these fine volunteers. If you get a chance, thank them yourself; they keep the club going and growing and supporting the cycling community.
Board Appointees, Too
Many of the club's Board Appointees are back as well:
Rick Whaley – Newsletter Editor
Terry O'Connor – Insurance Coordinator
Renee Mitchell – Education Chair
Paul Selden – Director of Road Safety
Kathy Kirk – Friend of Bicycling Award Chair
Chad Goodwill – Social Director
Jon Ballema – CMS/KBC Race Team Director
So, thank you, too, to these volunteers who help keep KBC up and running.
A few changes have also taken place. Due to the departure of longtime Database Manager Paul Bruneau, former Webmaster David Jones will be taking over the Database Manager's slot. Cullen Stevenson has stepped up to take on the Webmaster position. We're particularly interested in what these two are going to be up to in the coming months.
A possible volunteer has been identified for the currently vacant – and much-needed – Public Relations chair position. The name of that party will be revealed later.
Finally, we're going to try a 'Ride Captain by Committee' approach for the 2013 season. Four volunteers have agreed to work together to see what they can put together to staff this important post. More details will emerge from this committee as the season approaches.
Thanks to Tim Krone
I didn't get a chance last month, due to damaged digits that made typing difficult, to thank Tim Krone, owner of Pedal Bicycles in downtown Kalamazoo, who spoke at the October meeting.
Tim gave an interesting talk on what is coming down the pike in the next few years in terms of new bikes and bike components. Some of the items he mentioned as trends to watch were 650 B wheel size mountain bikes, disk brakes on road bikes, electronic shifters, and the fact that steel frames seem to be on the verge of making a comeback.
Tim also is deeply involved in the cyclocross community (as well as being a very important component of KBC's Bike Camp), and promotes several events that feature that sport. I attended two this fall; one at Kindleberger Park in Parchment, and another at Markin Glen Park on North Westnedge Avenue. Both were well attended and well run with outstanding course markings.
One thing that stood out is that cyclocross racing seems to be a sport for anyone; young, old, male, female, adult, or child. Every category was represented at the races – and on a variety of bikes, as well, from mountain to cyclocross-specific. It seems to be something that is gaining traction in this area and many of the racers I saw were KBC regulars.
It also looks to be a great way to get in a grueling workout. Jon Ballema, Captain of the CMS/KBC Race Team said that he 'coughed up a lung' at the Kindleberger race. And it was true; I saw it lying on the trail. Or maybe it was a plastic bag.
But if a cycling sport makes our Race Team Captain work hard, you know it has to be tough. You wouldn't know it from the faces of the competitors though. From serious racers to those just out to enjoy a Sunday ride, everyone was smiling under their helmets. Good to see.
... And To Harold Glasser
Dr. Harold Glasser, Executive Director for Campus Sustainability at Western Michigan University, spoke at the November club meeting, and gave quite a bit of insight into the University's efforts to become a more 'green' and sustainable campus.
It was an eye-opening talk. Like many, I had been pretty cynical about WMU students and their predilection for driving their cars onto campus – and talking on cell phones and texting while doing it. But it turns out that there is quite a growing awareness of non-motorized transportation happening up there. The new Office of Campus Sustainability itself, at the corner of Howard Street and West Michigan Avenue, houses a bike co-op and bike repair facility.
A day after the meeting at which Dr. Glasser spoke, I walked through WMU's campus and, with a new perspective on things, noticed the significant number of bikes – and bike racks – in service. This could be part of a growing trend, where college students consider it cool to not own a car, and are willing to bike, walk, or take a bus to get to where they need to be. Progress, certainly. And maybe KBC could help in those efforts.
Thanksgiving Pie
A few days before Thanksgiving, e-mails were flying around one of the cycling groups I am party to about the prospect of doing double centuries even this late in the season. The weather has been cooperative, so why not?
One of the 'reasons' for doing such a ride would be, so the posters said, to be able to eat as much Thanksgiving pie as one would want. Others chipped in with caloric calculations that said that, after a double century, a biker could eat 15 pieces of pie in order to make up for the calories expended.
That sounds accurate. And though I haven't done any double-centuries lately, I did my part on the pie-eating end. At least I got that part right.
Recovery Party is in the Works!
Finally, it's not too early to start planning your winter season around KBC's annual Recovery Party. So you can 'save the date' and mark it on your 2013 calendar, write in red letters on Saturday, January 26th, 'KBC Recovery Party.' That's one week before Super Bowl, so football fans won't have any conflict. The location is John and Teri Olbrot's house, the same place it has been the last several years. Stay tuned for details!
Zolton Cohen, KBC President