Happy New Year!  I hope that you brought in 2014 with family and friends.  Although I didn't make any official resolutions for this year, I am going to do my best to ride more this year.

Please be sure to make plans to join us for this weekend's rides.  On Saturday, January 4th, I'll be the ride starter for the Krueger Canyon-River Road ride.  If you like hills, it's a great ride.  I'm serving as the ride starter because it's such a short drive from my house--not because I am crazy about hills!  If that's not your cup of tea, you should join us in Helotes on Sunday.  We'll be doing the Helotes-Castroville.  



President's Column

Make it a New Year Resolution

The holiday break goes by much too quickly!  I hope that you enjoyed your break.  I spent New Year's Eve in Florida with my family.  Unfortunately, I didn't ride much during the break.  I was only able to ride a cruiser bike on a bike trail for a very short distance.

January is always the time to make your new year resolutions. Of course getting in better shape is the number one resolution for most of us and the club can help you get some of the exercise needed to reach your goal.  We offer you two days of exercise per week!   All you have to do is show up with your bike.

I am really excited to continue working with the club's board members during 2014.  As a club we are committed to continue the engagement of new members through our Rider Education programs and to continue offering interesting ride alternatives every weekend. This year we will be working on new routes and social events. Also, since the club's charity work has been very fulfilling, I hope we will be able to get even more members to invest their time in an event for charity.  I personally plan to continue hosting the Latte Ride as part of my commitment to make this club more appealing to a wide variety of riders.

And here is my pitch for your support.  Please consider adding "Volunteering for the San Antonio Wheelmen" to your list of New Year's resolutions.  We need your support!  We are in need of ride starters and a board member.  These positions don't take much effort--please volunteer.

As you know, we all benefit from this club.  We provide a variety of well-planned and well-attended bike rides for everybody. I don't think starting a ride takes any more effort than sending emails back-and-forth to your cycling buddies to determine a time, place, etc. for a ride.  We do that for you--so please help us!

A few extra notes...I want to personally thank John Yoggerst, a long time member of the club and our regular ride starter at Boerne, for everything he's done for the club over the years.  John is moving out of town and won't be riding with us anymore. Good luck John!

I'd also like to thank Vicky Smith, who has been our Merchandise Committee Chair for many years, for all of her support.  She is retiring from that position.  We need to find a replacement soon.  Thank you, Vicky!

Finally, our friend Humberto Olivo is promoting the inaugural Texas Gran Fondo, a cycling event that "will appeal to those looking to ride for fun, to stay in good shape, and to take on a personal challenge, all while enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Texas Hill Country." Check out the website texasgranfondo.com and mark your calendars for April 5, 2014.

Finish your list for 2014.  I'll see you on the road!

Jose H. Rojas

 

Rider Education Series
We're implementing some changes to RES in 2014  The purpose of the changes is to better prepare the RR101 students to take the RR201 class, to improve the graduation rate for RR201 students, and to encourage RR101/201 graduates to attend the regularly scheduled Wheelmen rides.

The RR101 class will increase from four to five sessions with one session of classroom work followed by four rides (with additional instruction at each ride) gradually increasing in distance from 16 to 33 miles. This will provide one additional ride to help the students improve their skills of riding in a group safely, learning to shift and brake, and enjoying riding on the open road.

The RR201 class will still consist of four rides with instruction before each ride. The emphasis will shift from riding the scheduled Wheelmen ride for that week to improving hill riding skills while gradually increasing the riding distance from 33 miles to 52 miles.

RR101/201 graduates will be invited to join RES instructors at Wheelmen rides for stay-together and no-drop rides.  If you are interested in additional information on the classes or want to volunteer as an RES instructor contact Kelly Sile at 210-601-2919.