Welcome back!

          Thanks once again to all of our ride leaders, we are delighted to post our schedule for this year, which you may download on this page. As always, Tuesday Night Rides will leave promptly at 5:30 p.m., so plan to arrive a few minutes early in order to receive a map and be greeted by your ride leader. Please feel free to bring a friend, and introduce your friend to the ride leader and other riders.
          Cyclists can again choose to ride with us slackers in the “B” group, which chats along the way at a relaxed 12 to 14 miles an hour, or in the “A” group (the "hammerheads") in a pace line, which averages about 18 miles an hour. Both groups will regroup periodically along our rides, so that none of us gets dropped. If it is pouring rain, the ride will be cancelled. If the weather is questionable, the ride leader will call the West Hill Shop to let them know whether their ride will be taking place.
          Because of the size of our group we want to be mindful of our impact on drivers with whom we share the road. When in traffic, please be sure to "ride right" in a single file on the right hand side of the road, to the right of the white line, and remind others who forget to do so. It helps to dress in bright colors and use reflectors to increase the chance that you will be seen by motorists, especially at dusk.
          Our schedule was delayed this year because of the pandemic. In order to minimize any risk of transmission, if any riders have not been vaccinated against Covid, we ask that they not join us for dinner after their rides.
          As some of you know, our sponsor, the West Hill Shop, has new owners, Amy and Zach Caldwell. Kathy Lapan and I have enjoyed working with Amy and Zach, and Kirsten Jeppesen, their events coordinator. Please stop by to introduce yourself to them, and support their shop.
          Although the Putney Bicycle Club’s expenses are relatively modest, they must nevertheless be paid through our dues. Please renew your membership or join now by sending your dues to Kathy Lapan at 78 Winter Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301. Your dues enable us to promote cycling, especially with new and young riders. Dues this year will continue to be $10 for individuals and $20 for families. Putney Bicycle Club members receive a 10% discount on cycling jerseys and shorts, tires and tubes at the West Hill Shop. A portion of your dues helps to pay for a barbeque dinner following our last ride this summer at the West Hill Shop on August 31st.
          This year we are asking members of the Putney Bicycle Club to sign a waiver, which you may also download on this page.  Although I was hesitant to raise the issue of liability, I was convinced when I realized that other bicycle clubs are asking their members to sign waivers as well. Our membership in USA Cycling provides a measure of protection for ride leaders and participants. Although we now have the ability to pay our dues through Venmo, it will probably be easiest if you can print and sign a waiver, and either send it with a check for your dues to Kathy Lapan, or give them to her at one of our rides.
          If you would like to invite others to join you on a ride, publicize an event, or post cycling pictures and videos for others to enjoy, please use our Facebook page. It continues to be popular, and we now have 271 members. It may be found at:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/PutneyBicycleClub/
We welcome your questions and suggestions, and look forward to seeing you on our rides. Please ride safely!
President: Joe Cook (802) 257-0609 jfcook3@gmail.com
Treasurer: Kathy Lapan (802) 254-6547 kathylapan@comcast.net
Secretary & Webmaster Bob Immler (802) 579-5034 roamic@gmail.com
~Joe Cook