John Lyttle
My wife and I moved to Midway in 2019. I started riding that year and joined the club in 2020. Although COVID had started, I enjoyed riding with the Frankfort Crew and in Midway. It was great to be outside and enjoy the outstanding natural beauty of the Bluegrass.
I graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1979 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and started work at McDonnell Douglas in California. There I was involved with the development of aircraft and took on leadership positions of many teams. My company was acquired by Boeing in 1997--afterwards I was asked to attend the University of Southern California where I earned a Masters of Business Administration in 2000.
In 2011 my wife and I were transferred to Oklahoma where I helped lead the development of a new Boeing site. After about 40 years, I retired from Boeing. My wife and I decided to relocate to the Lexington area to be close to our two daughters--the older being a horse trainer and the youngest being a schoolteacher in Lexington.
I've been very impressed by the leadership of the BCC--realizing the club is a labor of love for many people. Knowing the club needs volunteers, I helped Terio with food stops for the 2022 Horsey Hundred and have continued to fill that role in subsequent Horseys. Additionally, in 2022, I became a ride leader under the tutelage of Troy Hearn.
I joined the BCC Board of Directors in 2023. For the past two years I've filled the role of Board Secretary. Should I be elected to the Board, I'll be looking to support the Board in a new capacity-as the term limit for Secretary is two years.
Steve Hughes
Hello.
My name is Steve Hughes, and I've had a love for bikes since I was very young. I began speed skating at around 9 years old at a rink in Louisville. As my training advanced, and I became competitive on a national level, I started supplementing my rink time with cycling. I continued riding into adulthood, eventually finding my way to the Bluegrass.
I moved my family to Georgetown in 1995 and became involved with the MS150 charity ride hosted by my employer, Toyota. Through this event, I was introduced to many local cyclists who soon became close friends. I have remained consistently active within the cycling community, with only a few brief breaks over the years, and I have never strayed far from the hobby.
In the mid 2000's my competitive spirit resurfaced, prompting me to enter a race during the Bike Lexington events held downtown. I won that race that day and met many local racers who welcomed me into their community. I've raced for Pedal the Planet, McDonald's, and Crankworks, as well as for The Fount Cycling Guild this past year. I will be beginning a new chapter with Texas Roadhouse in 2026.
The BCC has been a significant part of my life for many years. I understand the dedication required to keep the club thriving within the community, and I am now in a position to give back to the organization.
I serve as the General Manager of CSI Group, an automation company in Lexington, where I lead teams in solving complex challenges and driving operational success. I am confident that this experience will equip me to provide strong leadership and contribute meaningfully to the day-to-day management and growth of the organization.
Thanks for you consideration!
Carol M. Gensheimer
My Journey and Involvement with Bluegrass Cycling Club
Educational Background and Professional Experience: After moving to Kentucky in 2003, I pursued higher education at the University of Kentucky. There, I earned an undergraduate degree in Exercise Science followed by a master's degree in Health Promotion. Upon graduating in 2006, I started my professional career as a Wellness Coordinator at TMMK Fitness Center located in Georgetown. I remained in this role until my retirement in 2020.
Throughout my employment, I gained significant experience working with a variety of personalities, collaborating to find collective solutions, and designing programs aimed at achieving specific results. I discovered that while many good ideas are offered, it ultimately takes one person to take responsibility and initiate action.
Involvement with Bluegrass Cycling Club: In 2012, my husband Rick and I became members of the Bluegrass Cycling Club. Although I had been an active cyclist for years, joining the club introduced me to the joy of being part of a community. Since then, our involvement with the club has become an essential aspect of our social and fitness routines. We feel fortunate to have the flexibility to participate in a variety of rides, travel with fellow members, and take advantage of all the club has to offer.
Leadership and Volunteer Roles: Over the past several years, I have served as chair of the Social Committee. It has been a great pleasure to collaborate with other members to create enjoyable and engaging traditions. Last spring, I completed training to become a Ride Leader. With considerable assistance from fellow Club members, I successfully finished my first year in this role.
Future Goals: I am eager to further my commitment to the Bluegrass Cycling Club by serving as a Board member. If elected, I will do my utmost to apply the skills and experiences I have gained Throughout my career and club involvement for the benefit of the organization.
Sandi Owen
I moved to Lexington during COVID, to help with my granddaughters during quarantine. I was on the faculty at Indiana University and continued to teach remotely from here. When the world started opening up again and the school wanted us back in the regular classroom, I decided to retire from teaching and stay here, to be near my family and to ride my bike with you fine folks.
My background is in tax law (specifically federal income tax). I worked in a CPA firm for a number of years, then moved to Bloomington, Indiana to go to law school at Indiana University. I stayed there and taught at the business school for over 20 years. I continue to do freelance work for a publisher, updating tax materials for CPA and Enrolled Agent exam prep courses (it keeps me busy, and funded, during the off-season!). I am hoping that I can put my professional background to good use as a member of the Board, especially dealing with financial matters.
I joined BCC in 2021, and it has been such an important part of my life here! The cycling in this area is just phenomenal. And I've made some really good friends in the club that I so enjoyed spending time with, both on and off the bike. Since I've been in Lexington I've ridden at least 5,000 miles each year, and most of that has been on club rides.
I really love how active the club is, and I want to be involved as much as I can. I have been a ride leader since 2022, primarily helping out at David's Fork and Deer Haven rides. I am also a member of the Social Committee and help organize and coordinate our R.E.M. rides. I also volunteer at Horsey Hundred every year, working our merchandise booth, registration, and/or food stops. I would now like to expand my involvement with the club and take on more of a leadership role as a member of the BCC Board of Directors.