'06 PBC Season

We are anxiously awaiting the beginning of a great season of cycling. This year, two enthusiastic Putney cyclists, Mike Beganyi and Scott Wade, will be coordinating the club. We hope to promote plenty of cycling, shared knowledge of the sport, and miles of fun on and off the road. We look forward to building a thriving member’s based organization, and hope to encourage cycling at all levels – from novice, to family cycling, to hardcore endurance and racing athletes. Southern Vermont and our surrounding environment is a great place for cycling, please join us on the road and trail!

We have high ambitions for the coming year, and hope that with your help we can build a stronger community of cyclists who share rides, experiences, routes, knowledge, and a meal or two. We want to strengthen support for new riders, seasoned pros, and racers in our own backyard through a mix of riding, clinics, and social events.

Ride, Rides, Rides

The Tuesday Night Ride (TNR) is a keystone in club history, and we will be continuing with this tradition as a main riding, training, and social event. This year we hope to find more cyclists on the road or trail by coordinating both faster and slower group rides and welcoming all skill levels to participate. We think a two tiered ride that runs from the same starting point and along much of the same route will get new members on the road, sharing techniques, tricks, and great scenery with seasoned pros. Old Pros – don’t worry – we want you to be able to hammer out the miles at your own pace – and new riders – feel comfortable with a group that rides with a “No Rider Left Behind” policy and a ride leader to make sure everyone gets home. Remember – we all ride for different reasons – and the more cyclists on the roads, the better the sport is for all of us! Mountain bikers will be welcomed as some Tuesday nights will also include a mountain bike group ride touring the dirt roads, trails, and single track in our backyard.

In addition to the TNRs we will continue to plan longer weekend rides touring the country side, training for races, or bringing along the family. These rides may be scheduled on Saturday or Sunday mornings, depending on length, schedule, and ride leader. We also hope to continue with the successful kid’s mountain bike rides – which supports the whole family learning skills and sharing the trail.

New cyclists – we hope to see you on the road in May for a “Beginners Road Cycling” series. Learn basic bike adjustment skills, group riding techniques, and how to comfortably ride our wonderful country roads. We hope to choose low traffic roads and short routes to get you out there pedaling. When you feel comfortable on the road we’ll beg you to join us for our group rides – to continue learning road skills and etiquette and sharing knowledge with some of our seasoned riders.

Clinics and Activities

Many other activities are in the idea stage – and all will need volunteers and member energy to be successful. Some on bike ideas are: a BMX ride and clinic, a long road tour, weekend “themed” rides throughout the season (foliage, orchards, covered bridges, etc.), and road bike time trials (for those wishing to test themselves against the clock). Off bike ideas include clinics offered at the West Hill Shop on a wide range of cycling topics from bike fit, basic maintenance, on bike nutrition, developing a training program, road and mountain skill clinics, stretching, to advanced mechanics. We will most certainly be sharing food and drink, and are hoping for an early season kick-off potluck and end of season feast. Share your ideas with us this season and let’s direct the club to offer rides, clinics, and fun for everyone.

Racing

The Putney Bicycle Club supports a member’s racing team. The club is a licensed member of the USCF, the official US amateur cycling organization. Racers compete in the distinctive red and gold West Hill Shop jerseys, and may be out on PBC rides training, recovering, or sharing their knowledge of cycling with other members. This year PBC has a dozen riders who will be training and racing on and off road to their full potential. If you are riding hard and training, ask a team member how you can participate, and even if you do not want to race, the team is always looking for volunteer help (and support) at local events.

Sponsorship and the West Hill Shop

The PBC has traditionally been run as a part of the West Hill Shop, but this year with Jim and Diny’s support, we are moving the coordinating of the club out from under the WHS shadow. We feel this will strengthen the club and its relationship to the local community, as well as let the club grow and reach out to new members. The WHS will continue as primary sponsors of the PBC and the racing team, and will be offering the use of the shop for meetings, ride starts, and clinics along with special perks to club members as the season progresses. The WHS is a great PBC and community asset - drop in and give them a big thank you for their continued support!

For those of you on our email list, membership information will be finding its way to you shortly.
Please join us for a great season of cycling here in Southern Vermont.
We look forward to seeing you on the road and trails!

Mike Beganyi
Scott Wade

For more information, contact putney.bicycle@gmail.com
Note: Please mail forms to PO Box 804, Putney VT 05346, not the address listed on the PDF.