Last year the inaugural Caribou Charity Ride was held and much to our surprise as organizers, it was a HUGE hit. Originally, we had been anticipating drawing between 100 to 150 riders. By the day of the ride we had 255 participants! Although our costs substantially increased we still managed to hand over a $10,000 cheque to the Northern Cancer Fund. It was very satisfying to see the Thunder Bay Cycling Club, and the local cycling community, give back to such a worthy cause.

Everyone seemed to have a great time at last year's ride. So due to popular demand the routes, the kit bags, the early bird t-shirts (and hopefully the good weather) will be back on Sunday September 12, 2010 as we try to top our success from last year.

Our charity will once again be the Northern Cancer Fund as 100% of the funds raised remain here in Northwestern Ontario. Statistics show that more than one in three people will have cancer at some point in their life. Even those who are not diagnosed with this brutal disease often find themselves touched by it through friends and family members. No one is immune as it takes its toll on people of all walks of life, rich and poor, young and old. It is a disease that we need to focus our resources on and eliminate. Together we can all make a difference by raising funds, awareness and promoting a healthy lifestyle.

There are some exciting new additions to the ride this year, and those will be revealed shortly on the website at www.cariboucharityride.com Sign up will once again be through the website, at the Caribou Restaurant + Wine Bar, or The Cyclepath bike shop. However, be sure to sign up early as there are some very cool Early Bird benefits and only the first 350 riders will gain access to the ride. The 100km ride will start at 9:30am from the Nor'Wester Hotel and Resort on Hwy 61 and the 50km ride will follow at 10:30am from the same location. The ride will be open to the general public ages 14 and up, so we are once again encouraging you to bring out your family and friends to experience a ride in a group setting. Upon completion of the ride there will be a lunch provided and refreshments will be available. You can also access the hotels showers and change rooms in the pool area.

Kathy Chezick

One of the new additions this year that I can tell you about is the contents of the kit bags will include something special. In March TBCC member and triathlete Kathie Chezick was killed on the Thunder Bay Expressway while she was out for a run. It was her ID tag on her shoe that enabled the First Responders to quickly contact her family. As a result of this tragic accident Kathie's husband, Barry, has started an initiative called KC Mouse. Mouse was Kathie's nickname and the friendly cartoon icon reminds everyone, young and old, to carry identification while they are out exercising. In order to honour her memory, and to help encourage others to carry identification, we contacted RoadID to get involved. The good people at RoadID have agreed to provide us with coupons for 25% off that can be redeemed through their website: www.roadid.com Their product is something we hope that you will wear, but will never have to use. At the very least it will give you and your family peace of mind in the event of a medical emergency where you cannot speak for yourself.

So on September 12th, come out and get involved. You can ride, donate or volunteer to give back to our community and have a great time doing it!

Dave

During a recent trip to Tucson, Arizona, I had the pleasure of riding in a truly bicycle friendly community. There were dedicated bike lanes and sharrows throughout the city making bicycle transportation safe and easy. Every kilometer or so there would be a "Share the Road", "Bike Route", or "Tucson: A Bicycle Friendly Community" sign. We quickly discovered that the drivers there understood the concept of "Share the Road". They were all very courteous and accommodating. It was a tremendous experience!

Currently, the City of Thunder Bay is taking steps to become a bicycle friendly community like Tucson. In the past year our council has shown that they are committed to this by bringing in an Active Transportation Co-ordinator, adding bike racks to buses, and this spring will be introducing the first bike lanes and sharrows to city streets. This action represents a significant cultural shift -one that we should all support and applaud.

Sharing the road is a dual responsibility, however, as cyclists our actions will dictate how receptive the public will be to these new initiatives. We need to be community leaders by educating and encouraging other riders to use proper riding etiquette and to follow the rules of the road. The club itself is doing this by being involved in Safe Cycling Thunder Bay, Share the Road and the Pedalz bike rodeos. As individuals you can help out by volunteering with these initiatives and by portraying a positive message on every ride by leading by example. This includes: being respectful to other vehicular traffic, using proper hand signals, obeying traffic signs and signals, riding on the far right hand side of the road, and riding single file or no more than two abreast. At no time can we condone riding more than two abreast or crossing the yellow line. Negative actions like that will only draw the ire of motorists and move us further away from our common goal of safer riding conditions.

So if you see someone who is not holding up their end of the bargain then please, speak up. Let them know what they are doing wrong and how to correct it. By communicating and self policing our rides we will make a safer environment for everyone. It also helps to ensure that the club rides and events we currently enjoy can continue unimpeded by red tape.

As our club has it's first Try-Out rides over the next few weeks, our positive example takes on an even bigger importance. Please do your part to mentor these new riders and to welcome them to the TBCC family.

Ride safely and be a ROLL model,

Dave

As the snow melts at an alarming rate and the skiers try to guess how to wax for gravel and water (Swix MTB has been suggested) another road season is upon us. The Thunder Bay Cycling Club is looking forward to another great year. This winter it was exciting to see more people involved in the planning and volunteering to help expand and improve our programs. A big "Thumbs Up" goes to our Directors for realizing that the scope of the work was often too big for one individual and recruiting some extra help when required. Another "Thumbs Up" goes to those of you who have accepted the challenge. By getting involved we will make the TBCC a community leader that we can ALL be proud of.

There will be some changes coming this season as we build on the success of last year. We will detail our programs at the Spring meeting (March 25th, 7pm at Confederation College room C238) and I encourage everyone to come out. Until then, here is some of what to watch for in 2010:

By coming to our webpage, you've found one of the biggest changes we have planned for this year. Our webmaster, Eugene Vandal, has spent countless hours updating and modernizing our website. Personally, I think it looks great! If you like what you see, or if you have some fresh ideas, (especially you young people) please let Gene know.

Now the rest.

Led by Miriam Wall, the Road Touring group is being run by committee this year. The biggest change you'll see here is that the tour leaders will change from ride to ride. This will help to keep the program fresh and to avoid burning out yet another Tour Director. Don't worry, all your favourite routes (and some new ones) are still on the schedule. So bring your friends out and enjoy the various routes that Thunder Bay has to offer.

The Racing program is also being run by committee under the leadership of Tim Knutson. This group is implementing a variety of changes that will hopefully improve safety and enhance your racing experience. (I'll let Tim explain everything to you in another column) Tim promises a variety of racing opportunities this year and I hope this encourages riders of all ages to come take up the challenge.

The Women's Only rides will continue this summer on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month. There are also several technical clinics planned for the off-weeks to provide education. With leaders like Pam Dawes and Kate Tinkler, I am certain that the program will continue to build on last year's success.

The Mountain Bike Touring schedule has been reduced somewhat this season and will concentrate on fall rides. This is mainly due to a lack of participation in the past few seasons. If you want to see this program continue in the future, I would suggest you get out this fall with Fabio Zorzes and find out what you've been missing. (hint: besides offering some unique routes he also prepares some excellent tailgate lunches!)

After debuting in 2009, Cyclocross racing will return again at the tail end of the TT season. Kyle Fry will be holding three skills and race sessions and two sessions of race only. This is an exciting way to extend the racing season and to improve your bike handling skills. Whether you have a cyclocross specific bike, or just a mountain bike, come on out and have fun while getting an excellent workout at the same time.

The Junior Development program is back again this year too. Nathan Petrie, Dave MacIsaac and Kevin Paradis will continue to build this program with a focus on moulding young riders into the next generation of racers. These three individuals bring a wealth of cycling knowledge and are very athlete focused -excellent qualities for youth leaders. If you know any junior age athletes who are interested (male or female, age 14 - 19) please encourage them to contact Nathan and come out. After all, this is the demographic that is the future of our club.

Speaking of getting people out, the Thunder Bay Cycling Club will be offering FREE "Try-Out" rides for the first time in many years. Thanks to a change in policy by the Ontario Cycling Association, a free "Try-Out" ride is now available for individuals who have never been a TBCC member or Trial member. This will allow potential new members to come one time only for a "Try-Out" a ride with the Thunder Bay Cycling Club at no cost on specifically posted dates. A $25 fee (one ride only) will be charged on all other dates. (Note: Time Trial and Races are not eligible) Upon becoming a member for the 2010 season, this $25 fee will be deducted from the full membership fee.

Outside of our core programs the TBCC will continue to be involved in the Share the Road and the second edition of the Caribou Charity Ride. We have also just signed a collaborative agreement with Safe Cycling Thunder Bay which will bring CAN-Bike training and education to our community. It is important that we get involved with these initiatives as it not only helps to educate the general public, but it also positively raises our club's profile in the community.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention some of the brilliant behind the scenes work that is being done by Dr. William Ulakovic, Mary Ellen Ripley and Katie Spittlehouse. While they are not responsible for a specific club program, they have already had a positive impact. Thank you. To be honest, we have a whole group of excellent, hard working people on the executive this season. Please be sure that you thank them for their efforts and lend a hand if you see a chance.

Finally, I'd just like to remind everyone that although we are excited to be back out on the road, many drivers will not be expecting to see cyclists for the first several weeks. As always please be sure that you ride defensively, follow the rules of the road and dress in clothing that will make you highly visible. Let's get this season off to a safe start!

Ride safe and support your local bike shops.

Dave

We all know the issues we face as we try to "Share the Road" with motorists. As members of the cycling community we have two choices: we can tolerate the current behaviour of the general public or we can take on an active role in making our roads safer. The question is what, as cyclists, can we do to help educate the general public?

In Europe cycling isn't just a means of recreation; it also is regularly used for transportation. People learn to ride bikes from an early age and as motorists have a healthy respect for cyclists. As a result, cycling is widely accepted and is deeply entrenched in their culture.

So how do we make it safer here in Thunder Bay?

The thought is that if we educate children we can build an appreciation and a knowledge base from the ground up. Children are also exceptionally good at positively influencing the behaviour of the adults around them. The kids of today will be the cyclists and motorists of tomorrow. So although it will take time, it is possible that we can change the attitudes and the culture around us.

In an attempt to educate and promote cycling at a grass roots level, members of the Thunder Bay Cycling Club, the BlackSheep Cycling Club, the local bike shops, the City of Thunder Bay Eco-Superior, the Thunder Bay District Health Unit and the Thunder Bay Police Service are collaborating to find a solution. To start, we have decided to bring a CAN-BIKE education and certification program to our area. These are nationally standardized courses that teach cyclists (of all ages) proper skills that can be used to make the cycling experience safer and more enjoyable.

As an off-shoot to the CAN-BIKE program we plan on bringing two "Bike Rodeos" to the Lakehead Public School Board this spring. This is based on the highly successful Bike Rodeos that used to be held by the Thunder Bay Police Service. Due to budget and time constraints in recent years, these events have been eliminated. However, we felt that it was time to collectively pitch in and make it happen again.

So what is a Bike Rodeo?

The events will be focused on children in Grade 5 & 6 and will be held at two locations this first year -one on the north end of the city, one in the south. We will begin with several in-school promotions to get the kids out to a Saturday morning event. (May 1st and 15th) At the Saturday events we plan on running these young students (and perhaps their families) through a variety of stations which focus on several key points: helmet fit, bike fit, a mechanical check, bike handling skills and an introduction to cycling etiquette as it relates to the Highway Traffic Act. There will also be a small midway area that will feature interactive displays, trivia and food!

How can you get involved or support this event?

In order to make this possible we will require a wide variety of volunteers including many who will be required to act as mentors at these two events. All members of the Thunder Bay Cycling Club are invited to get involved -regardless of age, skill or talent level. We will also be able to accommodate our high school aged athletes who can use these events as a source of their community / volunteer hours. And if you cannot get out to lend a hand, financial support or prizes for giveaways would be appreciated.

It is important for the Thunder Bay Cycling Club to get involved to raise our profile and to give back to the community. If you want to become involved in the Bike Rodeo initiative, please contact me at:
president [at] tbaycc.ca

Ride Safe and support your local bike shops!

Dave

There's not much to report as we all come off a much needed Christmas break and the club executive will reconvene next week to continue our planning. (although truth be told, I think our new Race Director, Tim Knutson, and his committee have already completed theirs!) Shortly we'll roll out the programs for 2010. There will be some new ideas and some minor changes. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by what's in store.

While some of us have been in black-ops training with Jack Bauer, there is an opportunity to get back together on the bikes in a more "social" setting. Our strategic partners Multisport North will be firing up the Sunday morning pain train again on the 10th of January. For those of you who aren't familiar, these are structured 1.5 hour stationary bike sessions in the multi-purpose room at the Canada Games Complex which feature local celebrity Jon Balabuck providing the inspiration. The classes are set up much like a Troy Jacobsen "Spinerval" workout and are an excellent way to spin yourself back in shape for the next season on the road. The cost for the winter sessions (January to April) is $60 for TBCC members -although you also need to either be a member of the CGC or pay the daily drop-in fee. So bring your bike and trainer or roll the dice on getting a spin bike. (Multisport North members have first dibs) You can find more info here: /www.multisportnorth.com/

Until next time, stay warm and support your local bike shops!

Dave