Season Greetings Fellow Bicyclists!
Another Holiday Season is upon us, but don't let that keep you from getting out and riding your bike. The hardcore bicyclists will ride through the winter, just layer up. Those not so hardy souls will opt for Zwift or another form of indoor bicycling to stay in shape. A key here is not to lose your base conditioning that you gained and maintained all spring, summer and fall.
This has been a whirlwind of a year, looking back it seems like it has flown by so fast. I don't know about you all but for me it has. So much happened this year in the way of postponed events, cancelled and rescheduled events it was crazy. Our event teams rose to the occasion and pulled off some great rides. But thankfully we had some great rain and snow falls which we really needed making it all worthwhile. This was a banner year for our events being very successful for our riders and our bank account. Hopefully the income we made this year will help us avoid having to raise our membership dues to cover our expenses.
Speaking of Holiday season, Thanksgiving has just occurred leaving everyone stuffed and bloated from our traditional feast. Hopefully you got a ride or two in over the holiday weekend to burn off all those calories so you will be able to recover a bit before Christmas. Hopefully you told Santa about that new Bike you have your eye on.
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS/HOLIDAY PARTY
If you haven't done so yet, be sure to get your tickets for this year’s Christmas Party. This year the party will be on Saturday Dec 16, from 5:30 to 9 pm at the Clovis Veterans Building. Unfortunately, there are only 100 tickets available so if you plan on going get them soon, as they will go fast. This year’s party dinner will be catered. https://fresnocycling.com/event-5476697.
NEW YEAR'S DAY MUFFIN RIDE
To bring in the new year our tradition for years has been to do a New Year’s Day ride. 2024 will be no different, plan to join us weather permitting for next year’s Annual Ride. Ride details will be sent out via email and on the ride calendar when they are finalized. It is always a fun All Level Ride out to Lost Lake and beyond. Please register at: https://fresnocycling.com/event-5486474.
VOTING FOR BOARD MEMBERS
Since the club is a corporation, we are required to hold an election of the Board members every year. Since there are no new candidates running for Board positions the election will just be confirmation of the existing Board Members. You will receive your Ballot via email. Please just take a moment to fill out the ballot. Just a word to our great membership, keep in mind the current Board has been serving for many years in their respective capacities. Yes, they have apparently been doing a great job or you wouldn't keep voting them in. There will come a time sooner or later where others will have to step up and take the helm. It would be encouraging to see some within our membership get involved in shadowing our current Board to learn more about the operation of the Club. It's not that hard but there are things that need to be learned. Come to our Board meetings and volunteer to sit on Committees, this is how you can ease your way into being in the Board.
OPEN BOARD POSTIONS
The Club is still in need of an A/B Ride Coordinator. The duties of a ride coordinator are to make sure we are filling our ride calendar with rides. You need some computers skills to place rides from ride leaders on the Club’s Ride Calendar. To be successful it helps if you are outgoing and involved as a Ride Leader yourself. You will work in concert with the C/D Ride Coordinator to see that rides are properly listed on the Ride Calendar. A plus would be a person that is familiar with social media and is able to post the club rides on them as well as on the Calendar. This is an elected Board Member Position, and you will be a voting member of the Board.
Another Elected Board position needing to be filled is that of the Rough Draft Editor. This position became vacant with the loss of our dear friend Bill Reddington. You would need some editing skills as well as computer and Word software skills. The editor receives input from the President, Board members and any members who wish to submit an article for the Rough Draft.
Anyone interested in either of these positions, contact any Board member or write your name in the appropriate place on the Ballot.
MEMBERSHIP
What's up with some of our members? Earlier this year we were up to 851 paid members, and now we are down to 615. I know people have moved which would account for some, but 236 members is a lot to just drop off the rolls. If you know some former members talk to them and see why they have dropped out. I am sure some of it could be finances, some due to no longer riding, or any number of reasons. If there is more we can do as a Club to keep our folks engaged, it would be great to know that. Maybe bringing back the monthly members' meetings and monthly all level rides might help. It seems like after Covid we haven't got back into the groove of having a lot of Club rides. Yes we still have the stalwarts that rode together during Covid, but they are small in numbers. Next year I want to see us have a more robust calendar of weekly and monthly rides for our members to enjoy.
Merry Christmas everyone, hope to see you at the party, well at least 99 of you. If not I’ll see you on or before the New Year's Day ride.
That's all for now.
The Prez
Dennis Ball
