Greetings from the President,

Two months into the ‘08 cycling season finds us busy with activities for “Bike Lexington” month of May. I want to take a few minutes to bring you up to date with club business and inform you of some exciting plans.

First and foremost, we are enjoying a calendar with many ride options. The schedule provides opportunities for group rides originating from many different locations with a variety of riding levels. Our ride coordinator, Tom Walters, has never seen the calendar as full as it is this year. Thanks ride leaders! We are considering a ride leader retreat and training seminar in the future. We hope to expand our beginner rides with more short distance rides.

Our newly organized race team, under the direction of Christopher Rowe, hosted a very successful race in March at Boonsboro State Park. The race generated income and made a charitable contribution to Shriners Children’s Hospital. The day long event established great relations with the State Park and received raving reviews from the participants. The race team has also volunteered at other BCC functions. Good luck team! Win one for the Club!

Did you know that six of your members are serving on the Mayor’s Bike Task Force? We are meeting frequently to fulfill the requirements of the bronze designation awarded to Lexington, by the American League of Cyclist. Much work is being done to further community awareness, education, facilities and relationships to promote cycling in the bluegrass.

Due to the financial success of our ‘07 events, we have been able to continue our charitable efforts. This spring, children’s bikes with helmets were given to two Middle Schools in the area upon request; it’s great to see the enthusiasm, in the next generation, for cycling. We are also anticipating a very successful charity ride this Saturday May 10th, benefiting the American Red Cross. ‘Ride with the Red’, organized by Dwayne Edwards, a BCC member and Red Cross employee, has had an overwhelming response for a first time partnership with the BCC. Thanks Red Cross, for the discount on the first aid kits for our bikes!

Our event calendar is very active right now as we prepare for the Horsey Hundred under the direction of Mindy Taylor. Thank you so much volunteers and sponsors. It will be exciting this year with new routes and lunch at Keeneland Race Track. Be sure to come out for the ice cream social and raffle at Georgetown College Saturday Night, May 24th after your ride. Several of our members have also been volunteering at other local events like the Black Tulip Ride in Midway. There will be a 35 mile club ride after the downtown Bike Lexington activities, which will conclude with a cookout at the Littrell’s house on May 17. Stop by for a burger or bratwurst.

As the Board considers our strengths and weaknesses, we are pleased with the direction and forward movement of the BCC. The Bluegrass Cycling Club is an organization that is making progress in its community presence, advocacy, education, and of course, opportunities to cycle to promote health, transportation and environmental friendliness. With that said, one area in which we have not seen positive growth is in our membership numbers. Our membership has been declining in the past several years, while cycling is on the rise. An ad hoc committee was formed to study this issue and propose an incentive strategy. At the May meeting the committee brought forth a motion to rapidly increase our membership. The Board voted to give trial memberships (without charge) to FIRST time cyclists for the remaining 2008 season. Our rationale is to rapidly increase our membership, which will enable us to grow our Member Savings Directory. A wide variety of companies will be attracted by their exposure to a large number of potential customers. This will lead to more benefits for ALL our members, new and old. Furthermore, the BCC’s influence in the biking and non-biking communities depends in part on numbers; the bigger the membership the more our influence.

Because we have decided to keep the members name and demographic information confidential, we will be issuing membership cards once again. Discounts at participating merchants will be available only with the membership card. Our current members will be able to pick up their card this weekend at the Ride with the Red, or next at our tent at Bike Lexington. In the future we plan for members to print off a membership card from the website, thanks to Nedim Slijepcevic’s creativity.

I personally have benefited greatly this season with my paid membership by enjoying group rides, a great Banquet, volunteering at my first race, making new friends, being part of charitable contributions and being more physically, mentally, and spiritually healthy as a result of cycling and the BCC. My hope is that we will see the BIG picture in this membership effort. Change and new initiatives can be difficult, but they can also promote positive growth. Truly, the leadership’s goal is to further cycling and increase the health of our community through the organized efforts of the Bluegrass Cycling Club. Won’t you join us in promoting this membership drive by encouraging your friends and neighbors to join with a free trial membership? I will be sending out more updates as the season moves on, but for now, I’m late for my ride!

See you on the Road,
Peggy Littrell