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FROM THE SUMMIT
Becoming an active member in a bicycle club changed my expectations, skills, endurance and ability while offering an opportunity to meet many wonderful new friends. Imagine the joy experienced by a formerly “husky,” asthmatic, non-athletic individual from Ohio who had never dared join a sports team but who had been accepted as a member of a sports community. The transition from rooky to “one of the gang” was not immediate but with the friendly encouragement of more knowledgeable club members sharing their expertise of ascending hills, the proper nutritional balance necessary to sustain energy, proper clothing for maximum comfort and group riding skills such as pace lining I eventually found myself dispensing encouragement, advice and recommendations to novice riders. I eventually completed my first sub-seven hour century and moved on to trying my hand at competing. Fremont Freewheelers is a strong bicycle club whose teamwork by our many volunteers has kept it strong. Thanks to our many inspired ride leaders, dedicated Board members, committee members, newsletter team, modest heroes who bring meeting refreshments every month, who sort and manage club clothing, organize the storage locker, encourage, mentor and inspire new riders, Fremont Freewheelers Bicycle Club is gaining well deserved recognition in the bicycling community. The Nominations Committee, with Florence Silver serving as Chairperson, will make a report during the August club meeting. I expect them to announce a full slate of officers for 2007. If you were not called and would like to be considered, there will be an opportunity during the August membership meeting for any club member to make nominations from the floor. FFBC will never have enough volunteers. A Chairperson and committee members are needed to organize this year’s holiday party. John Goeschl and Jamie Hyams have agreed to coordinate Primavera 2007 and will soon be recruiting potential captains. Volunteers are needed for several newly formed committees, such as the Programs Committee, Events Committee and Rides Committee. “Teamwork allows common people to attain uncommon results.” I don’t have a name to give credit for this quote, probably because it has been used so often the originator’s name doesn’t matter anymore. Who could better describe the meaning of “teamwork?” Opportunities abound within our club to be heard and to make a difference. There are rides to lead, committees to join and a steady flow of new riders to encourage. Remember the words of a very wise person who said, “Volunteers are not paid – not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless.” See you on the road.
Karen White |
Bicycling has been my passion since the early 80’s following my first half-century completed on a Montgomery Wards bike. My idea of riding a bike was to crunch the pedals until the required mileage had been reached and I could then lie on a cool patch of grass and feel my heart pounding. My equipment knowledge was pretty limited in those days, too. That ride was completed without a water bottle, pump or spare tube. Good thing my guardian angel was watching, that I was fairly fit from years of jogging and that the rest stops were reasonably close together. Following that experience, I quickly found a first class bicycle shop recommended to me during a Women’s Sports and Fitness Workshop I’d recently attended. The friendly shop personnel helped me purchase a “racing bike” with the works; water bottle cages, a frame pump, a handle bar bag for tools and a spare tube and a helmet. My prized possession provided countless hours of cycling bliss over the next few years including a number of centuries, including one sub-eight hour century which established in my mind I had achieved a choice level of cycling ability. However, something was missing. I soon realized I needed cycling camaraderie and companionship found only amongst like minded individuals and clearly available only by taking the next step and joining a bicycle club. After a limited amount of research, I picked the Fremont Freewheelers as my organization of choice. It was close to my home and had a wide range of available rides. 