11/23/02 by Ted Ingraham
Fifteen Freewheelers attended the Club meeting November 23 at Bruggers in the valley. Below is the long list of items discussed.
Sponsors: All but two of the plaques have been delivered the 2002 club sponsors. We also gave some sponsors T-shirts and we are going to try to get some of the decals (see below) to them. We have definite commitments for 2003 from a few sponsors and still have a number of potential sponsors who have yet to give us their final answer. It appears we will have sponsor support similar to, or better than, last year. Once the sponsors are finalized, we will publicize the list. We expect to complete work on sponsors by December 6.
Uniforms: Angelo reports that we are likely going to use Voler for the uniforms. They are very high quality and allow us to get special items like skinsuits, jackets, etc. Assuming the sponsors are settled by December 6th, Brain Shelford can have the layout for the uniform done by mid-December. The uniform illustration and the order form will then be made available on the website. We plan to place the order by mid-January.
Membership: It is nearing time for annual membership dues renewal. The renewal will be announced on the website in late December and a form will be (is) available online. At the same time we will make mailing to all members to remind them to renew. The mailing will include a membership application, uniform information and order form, a member roster, and a Freewheeler decal. (Brian Shelford provided the club with a large number of Decals that are ideal for car windows, bike racks, etc.) The mailing will be coordinated and put together by Becky Blice.
Annual Banquet: We will have the banquet on Friday January 10, 2003, 6:30 pm at Papa Joe's Restaurant in the valley. Awards for the 2002 Points Program will be presented along with other entertainment (?) More details will be provided in December.
Race Team: Planning for the 2003 version of Team Summit is well underway. All members form last year are returning for 2003 and one new racer has tentatively agreed to race with the team. The team plans to start a training program in the next few weeks. The idea of a page on the website was discussed again. The resumes have been obtained and Bob Iden has a page set-up, we will get info posted soon so the club can follow the progress of the team.
Training: We have scheduled two formal Winter Training Sessions at the Cuyahoga Falls F.O.P. lodge—similar to last year. Along with the bike fit, racer mates, and other training we expect to have Jim Balderase (National Criterium Champion) speak at one of the sessions. The sessions are scheduled for Saturdays, January 11 and February 8, 2003. In addition to those formal sessions, Ted discussed putting together some more informal get-togethers to discuss training ideas and workout. Starting in December we will schedule some training dates and see how these informal sessions go.
Officials: Ted talked about the need for more USCF officials in the NE Ohio area—both for the benefit of the club and racing in general. Dan Gableman agreed to help recruit and train new officials and the club wants to encourage anyone who has an interest to become an official. If you want more info, please contact Ted.
2003 Races: The club hopes to do four different races/race series. Races at the Lake (RATL), the TOP Series, the Ohio State Criterium, and the Fall race(s?). RATL dates are still being finalized with the park officials and we expect to have the exact dates confirmed soon. We discussed running RATL as a four race points series this year. Discussion revolved around the idea of having team or individual series winners and if awards should be nominal prizes or cash. Those details are yet to be decided, but it will definitely be run as a points series. Tom Collier will be running the TOP Series again this year. It will be similar to last year except we may add various types of team competitions to some of the races. As we have been saying for months, the club is interested in doing the Ohio State Criterium again this year but the big stumbling point remains—finding a suitable course. Becky Blice has agreed to do the Fall Challenge race again this year. She will do at least one race and we are still considering adding a second race.