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FROM THE SUMMIT
I mailed in my first FFBC membership application in 1984 which gives me 23 years as a continuous member. During that time this club has experienced many highs and a few lows but mostly it has merely been what a good bike club should be and that is a place where like minded cyclists can come together to ride and talk about something that is near and dear to their heart, bicycles. This year our Primavera workers provided assistance for over 500 cyclists but I can remember a time when the number was well over 1,000. That was also the year a guest cyclist was seriously injured and waged a personal injury lawsuit that hung like a heavy cloud over all members for over 5 years. This cyclist suffered partial paralysis. The lawsuit was eventually settled and the club was not held responsible but that single incident nearly ripped our club to shreds with several very active members, excusing themselves as members never to be seen at a club meeting again. As you are all aware, our race team recently settled another personal injury lawsuit with a jogger who was hurt during our Criterium of 2004. So far, this incident has merely been a blip on the radar. Of course, circumstances are quite different as the jogger shared 25% of the responsibility of his injuries but, I believe, this club’s members are resilient and have made a commitment to stand together through adversity and become stronger as a consequence. Today we have a very committed club. We are over 400 members strong and nearly 10% of those members actively participate in the life of the club. Upon accepting the nomination for president in 2005, it was my wish to increase participation of club members. The Board of Directors recently set 20% as a reachable and desirable goal. It is not unusual for ride leaders to lead rides numbering 20 or more riders and many of these rides are competing for riders with 2 or more rides on the same day. Many rides now have more than one pace with each pace showing a strong rider ship of 10 or more riders. As another example of your club’s enthusiastic commitment, FFBC recently co-sponsored an event beginning and ending at one of our race team’s sponsors, Sports Basement in Sunnyvale, and enjoyed participation by 60 or so club members and friends. Jim Herman, Ride Coordinator, planned four routes. Two of the routes were separated into two paces. The ride I led was advertised as a moderate pace and 22 members and 3 nonmembers joined us. I’m not sure what the draw for the day was, whether it was the barbecue following the rides, the opportunity to ride roads that were unfamiliar or the opportunity to join our cycling buddies for an outing. Before I sign off, there are a number of club members I’d like to thank for helping ease my journey during the past two years. Even though I’ve thanked members of both boards I’ve served under, I’d like to again say thank you to:
I also wish to once again thank this year’s Nominations Committee who never lost track of the goal and persevered until all vacated positions were filled That’s all I have for now. Just remember what Garrison Keillor likes to say: “Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.” See you on the road.
Karen White |
“Chaos, panic, pandemonium - my work here is done.” Author Unknown. I’ve had fun serving as your bike club’s president for the past two years. A new board and president will be elected during our September meeting and it is time for me to get off the stage and give the new kid a chance.