THE ROAR – Weekly Bulletin – April 3, 2017
April 3, 2017
Dear Fellow Cyclists:
In this issue:
- UPCOMING RIDES – Sunday April 23, 2017; 8:00 am; FIRST RIDE
- WHAT TO EXPECT ON DAY 1
- 2017 MEMBERSHIPS NOW ON SALE – 132 Memberships to date
- MANDATORY SAFETY TRAINING – Tuesday April 11 at 8:00 pm
- RIDE LEADERS WANTED
- CLUB WEAR ON SALE – Order Today; Don’t Ride Naked
- RIDE TO ITALY – Info meeting on Wednesday April 5 at 8:00 pm
- PICTURES OF THE WEEK
1. UPCOMING RIDES – Sunday April 23, 2017; 8:00 am; FIRST RIDE
2. WHAT TO EXPECT ON DAY 1
We went into our first Training Session with 132 members and we came out with 124. 8 people asked for refunds after the Ride Capo’s (Fausto Rossetto) presentation. By and large, they said that they had never ridden in a group before and they felt intimidated. Some cited the number of rules, others the fact that Fausto said that we ride with a 6″ gap some were afraid that they wouldn’t be able to keep up. Only one person spoke of a perceived personality conflict between themselves and Fausto. “Welcome to the club,” was my answer and we settled that one.
For the benefit of all the new members (which is a little over 40 people right now), let me describe what happens on Day 1 and why you should not be FREAKING OUT.
You will be arriving at least 15 minutes early. I recommend 30 minutes. You will park in the south lots (south is on your right side as you come up the drive). You will prep your gear and your bike and make your way to the Phoenix – the yellow building. On the way to the Phoenix, you will high-five or fist pump anyone that offers a sign of welcome for surely, you are welcome.
You will fill your water bottle unless you have already done so.
You will gather on the grassy knoll at the appointed time and listen to the inspirational address of our president, Rick Marchesan. You will applaud whenever he pauses for more than just a breath. He too needs to be inspired.
Then you will break out into your groups and here is where the fun begins and the anxiety starts to mount. Normally you will have already signed into a group on our sign-up calendar. The calendar gives you basic info about who the ride leader is, the average speed of the ride and a brief course description. But today you’re still finding your way around.
I strongly recommend that you join the GREEN GROUP if you are new to group riding even if you believe yourself to be a strong rider. The GREEN GROUP is a bit slower in speed, but we are the place where future greatness is incubated and it is the place where mistakes can be made in a safe environment. For the first couple of weeks, we’ll have a faster GREEN GROUP for the more experienced non-group riders.
On DAY 1, we’ll take a few minutes to review our ride rules and practices and then we’ll practice the rules.
Forget about Fausto’s 6″ gap. He’s never ridden in anything as tight as a 6″ gap – he’s dreaming. I like to ride one wheel length from the person in front of me and we’ll let you ride wherever it is that you feel comfortable. It takes time to get used to picking up on a rider’s body language. As well, when you settle into a group, you’ll get to know your fellow riders and you will begin to close the gap.
In the GREEN GROUP, we concentrate on good riding form. You will start as a group of riders and you will finish as a rider in a group. You will learn that you, as an individual are not important – the unit is what is important and you ride FOR the unit a much as you ride in a unit. We like to see you matching your partner shoulder to shoulder (much more important than the gap); we will concentrate on starting as a group and stopping as a group. Maybe we’ll try a rotation or two – maybe not. The group members have to ride as pairs and come to a safe and controlled stop before we begin to dance with rotations.
At the end, when we get back, we’ll sit down to a nice lunch and get to know one another. There’s no reason to feel intimidated – we all started as novices at one point or another. Furthermore, there is no shame in sticking with the GREENS (tie one over from Saturday night and tell me if the REDS are any fun on Sunday morning). Likewise, you will not hurt anyone’s feelings if you move to another group. Our goal is to move you up the ladder, but we like to send up people that have been taught some of the finer points of riding as a unit and that feel comfortable with group riding.
3. 132 MEMBERS REGISTERED SO FAR FOR 2017 – and what are YOU waiting for?
Right now, we have filled up 132 of the 160 membership spots. That leaves 28 more spots. Sign up now and don’t get left out in the cold.
In order to register, you will have to log into the CCN BIKES website www.ccnbikes.com . Click “LOGIN” in the far-right corner. You can use last year’s username and password or create a new account. Once you have logged in, you will be brought through 2 different areas: Insurance and Membership.
Once you have logged in, click on “FIND” in menu bar; then click “CLUBS” and do a search for “Veneto”. Once on our page, you can start the registration process. At a certain point, you will be prompted to purchase a Membership or License with the OCA. Here you will purchase an “Affiliate Club Membership” for $40. Go through all the process and in the end, it will kick you back to the Veneto Cycling Club membership purchase for $85. You will have 2 items to pay for at check-out: the OCA Membership (really your insurance premium) for $40 and the VCC Membership for $85. That’s a total of $125.
You will also be prompted to fill out an on-line waiver form. This means that the club is only responsible for scraping you off the road in case of an accident – THAT’S IT. Use your $40 insurance or your personal vehicle insurance (if applicable – your bike is your personal vehicle) for the rest. In case you do not understand the meaning of “THAT’S IT”, we get you to sign a paper version on Day 1 as well.
Have fun.
4. MANDATORY SAFETY TRAINING – Tuesday April 11 at 8:00 pm
A second chance at redemption
Of the 132 members that signed up, 105 came out on April 2 for the first Safety Training Session. Thank you, it’s important to us.
As for the 25 that could not make it (and to those that will join in the coming days), you have a chance to get your training on Tuesday April 11 at 8:00pm at the Phoenix Room (yellow building) at the Veneto Centre.
Now, don’t give up on yourselves and don’t let me down. You’ve been given a second chance at redemption – take it. You’re in the batter’s box and they’ve already thrown 1 strike at you. Now you’ve got a second chance to hit the ball or get a second strike. In that case, you’ll be playing with a full count and have but one more chance.
You can prepare by reviewing the following documents found on our website: Group Riding Techniques and VCC Ride Guide
MEMBERSHIP CARDS WILL ONLY BE ISSUED AFTER YOU ATTEND THE SAFETY TRAINING SESSION – No Exceptions
In order to ride, you will have to present your membership card.
Don’t strike out and don’t let me down. More importantly, don’t let yourself down and don’t let your team down.
5. RIDE LEADERS WANTED
Make a difference this year. Become a ride leader.
We’ll give you the tools and the training; you supply the time.
More ride leaders means that we can have more riders join as members.
Maybe you don’t think you’re ready to be a ride leader. Don’t worry, it’s easy. All you have to do is pretend that you know what you’re doing. In case you feel like a fake, use the George Costanza axiom that “If you believe it to be true, then it isn’t a lie.”
Worse case scenario, apply for the assistant ride leader position and promote yourself when you feel you’re ready.
Write to us at venetocyclingclub@venetocentre.com if you’re interested.
6. ORDER YOUR VCC® CLUB WEAR – Fit Kits available at CyclePath March 25 (TODAY)
Order your VCC® Club Wear from our virtual store by following this link: http://venetocentre.com/site/venetocycling/shop/
If you enter the site from the landing page, you will find the “SHOP” tab in the “MEMBERSHIP” pull-down menu.
The fit kits are available at CyclePath at 70 Winges Rd, Woodbridge until March 25. However, they will have similar items on the rack that you can use to gauge your size. But don’t be a last minute Larry. The deadline to be part of the first order is April 8.
Order now. Don’t get caught like this guy because riding without VCC® Club Wear is like riding naked.
7. ITALIAN TRIP – Info meeting on Wednesday April 5, 2017 at 8:00 pm
All those interested in the trip to Italy this September are asked to attend an info session this coming Wednesday april 5 at 8:00pm at the Phoenix.
8. VCC PICTURES OF THE WEEK
In order to make it into the VCC Bulletin, you need to do 3 things:
- Wear a VCC Jersey or stand next to someone wearing a VCC Jersey, and
- Take a picture or have one taken of you
- Forward it to me
Entry No. 1: IT’S ALL ABOUT SAFETY – submitted by Frank Mazzuca
On April 2, 105 of our members attended a Safety Meeting at the Veneto Centre. Brenda Pozzebon gave a First Aid (What to do in case of Emergency) session; Fausto Rossetto presented the Club’s Rules and Ride Procedures; Sam Cascun gave some bike maintenance and tire repair tips and techniques. Pictured below is the president, Rick Marchesan, addressing the crowd. With a raised index finger he declared that safety is the club’s paramount objective. “We want everyone to have fun and we want everyone to go home safe and sound.”
Ciao for now,
Sandro
