STOTON VELO CLUB MEETING MINUTES 2/25/2008
In attendance: Nancy Selfridge, Phil Caravello, Don Nyman, Chris and Gayle Gehring, Jon Hatley, Glen Gernert, Joe Brady, Dave Klinkner, Dave Neidhart, Mark.
Phil called meeting to order (sort of) at approximately 1810.
Time Trial(s) for 2008 and beyond were discussed. For this year, SVC will sponsor one Wisport time trial on 8/9. Suggestions were made for better weather and a fixed gear category. Gayle commented that she would and could fix the weather and Jon commented that he really misses Mark’s ass. It appeared that Mark was flattered.
Beginning next year, SVC will sponsor two time trials in one day, Wisport and USCF, capitalizing on the economic advantage of paying just one full day for a chip timing service.
We will be sponsoring a cyclocross race in Stoughton in the Fall, the same course as last year held at Mandt Park. Details will be discussed later into the year. Farther in the future, the idea of a Stoton Criterium was discussed, supported by local businesses, as well as a Stoton sponsored road race on the old State Road Race course.
This year, Phil is going to register SVC as a USCF club. This will cost $150. To be a USCF club we need elected officers—president and vice president only. Phil named himself President and Travis (in absentia) Vice President, and thus, the benevolent dictatorship was born. The motion was made and seconded, approved by all (sheep) present.
Club participation in 24 Hours of Nine Mile was broached by Chris and Gayle, though neither wants to ride with anyone else, choosing instead to race for 12 continuous hours individually. Phil thinks “24/9” is a great idea, though suggested that other SVC participants may prefer to form a larger team, doing isolated single laps punctuated by abundant beer consumption for the 24 hours. Despite this seemingly more genteel approach to an otherwise grueling competition, Jon Hatley was not in favor.
STOTON CYCLE WEEKLY RIDES
Training rides for the upcoming season were discussed:
Tuesdays: Actual reasonably paced recreation ride.
Wednesdays: The standing order fast recreational ride.
Thursdays: The push the pace, race training vomit fest.
There are less formally organized Saturday and/or Sunday rides posted on the SVC email group often starting at Oak Park Bank off of Seminole, and these will continue. There may be additional Saturday rides, possibly starting in Stoughton, co-sponsored by PECs Fitness, a personal training business near the new bike shop.
BRAINSTORMING SESSION: Promoting Cycling
A discussion followed about promoting cycling in the community, particularly how to get young people more involved in bicycling. Emphasis was placed on making sure that any newbies had a positive experience with any club rides—did not get hurt or dropped, at least the first few times, though NOBODY worried about this when I started riding. :-(( And I have the emotional scars to prove it.
Joe suggested that local high school coaches be contacted so that they could informally promote our rides as cross training opportunities for their team members. He reinforced that our responsibility would be to assure that these young people had positive experiences with us, and stated that post ride food is always welcome and attractive to these individuals. Don said that he could help teach young athletes how to do the first half of a sprint (HAH! ed.).
We might be able to use accumulated club money to help committed young people with bicycles and gear. Phil and Joe agreed to contact Stoughton and McFarland HS coaches to begin implementation of this idea.
GENERAL DISCUSSION
A general discussion ensued concerning the structure and mission of SVC. It was decided that the present (loose) format of the club continues to be suitable and there is no need to change it. Travis will remain our elite racing team. Though we have no formal mission statement, it is clear that our desire as a group is to have fun and to promote cycling as part of a healthy lifestyle, and as part of a sustainable commitment to environmental health as well.
It was decided the SVC will have scheduled bi-annual meetings in the Spring and Fall to discuss ongoing and future projects and the use of proceeds. SVC will not have a formal membership roster or dues. Don Nymann will post a link to SVC blog for people who wish to make contributions. Anyone wishing to have their email address changed for SVC email group, should contact Travis.
Phil is working on club/team clothing for this year (2008)—new sponsors will be the Yahara Grocery Coop and possibly PEC’s Fitness. Various suggestions for a change in jersey coloring were made—AND REJECTED!
A motion for the meeting to adjourn was made by Glen at 1918 and seconded by Dave K. at 1920, approved by all.
Nancy Selfridge, scribe
I think you may have confused “flattered” with scared and worried!