Hello again…To start off, you may notice a new look to the newsletter. That’s due to the efforts of our new newsletter editor, Anita Elder. Briefly, Anita is new member who came to us volunteering to help with graphical design elements for the Spring Classic, rapidly got involved in our website and then offered to assume newsletter responsibilities. Further on in this edition, Anita will provide a more detailed introduction, but I want to welcome her to SBC and to say that I and the board look forward to working with her.
Anita is the newest, but certainly not the only, person to answer the call to meet the needs of making the club run, making it happen. Mark Proulx, Susanne Wilhelm and Julie Kinder all joined the board for the first time in January. Craig and Jacqui Ilman are heading up the bridge sweep efforts. Susanne Wilhelm will be delving into the mysteries of Club Express to become our resource person on the software that touches almost every aspect of the club. Ray Desy is chairing the Spring Classic planning. Also in Spring Classic efforts, Bob Papadakis is assisting Bill Boettcher with volunteer recruitment, Mark Proulx is coordinating SAG and Roy Graves is overseeing registration. Slap me if I’ve left anyone out.
All of these new folks – certainly not all new to the club, but new in leadership roles – are stepping up to do the work that needs to be done to have a functioning club. It’s gratifying to see that level of participation and to recognize that we need people to do this so that we can do the rides, the Classic, the social events and everything else. They just don’t happen on their own. Many of you out there have been board members, officers and volunteers in the past – that is greatly appreciated. This infusion of new people is evidence that volunteerism and willingness to serve is alive and well at the Skagit Bicycle Club.
On the ride front, Spring is inching its way out in fits and bits. A week ago the weather was pretty terrific and I made it out of my basement (feeling a bit like a groundhog) and onto the roads for the first time this year. I had a great time, but, as I write this on Saturday, it’s been raining all day and the forecast is for more of the same for the coming week. We all know the reliably (almost) better weather is coming, but I really can’t wait for it to get here. In the meantime, more rides are showing up on the calendar and participation has been rather robust.
The Spring Classic is happening on May 11th. There’s more info about it elsewhere in this newsletter. Registration is off to a strong start which gives us hope for exceeding last year’s attendance of approximately 500 riders. Club members receive a $15 discount – details further on down. If you have friends who will be coming from out of town and staying over, for the first time we have discounts available from several local hotels and motels. Details are on the Classic’s registration web page.
For a look ahead – this year’s SBC picnic will be on Saturday, August 24th at Riverfront Park in Sedro Woolley. More details later, but you can get it on your calendar now.
I think that’s about it for now. See you on the road….