Volume 47, Issue #9, September 1, 2015
Contents
president
President's Message
By Will Benedict
A Better Bike Club

Members who attended the June Potluck were provided comment cards that asked for suggestions as to what would make the SLOBC a better bicycle club. This was followed by a survey that was sent to our newsletter mailing list asking the same question. The responses were compiled and are available as a PDF file that can be downloaded at better-slobc-responses.pdf. The survey was done as a first step in engaging member's in a dialog whose goal is improving our club.

The second step will occur during the October SLOBC General Meeting at the Ludwick Community Center, 864 Santa Rosa St., San Luis Obispo on October 1, 2015. The meeting program will be designed to engage attendees in generating proposals for improving our bicycle club and identifying members willing to work to achieve their implementation.
general-minutes
SLOBC General Meeting Minutes
By Craig Armstrong, Secretary
San Luis Obispo Library Community Room
995 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA.
Thursday August 6, 2015 7:15 PM

Vice President Havas called the meeting to order at 7:15 pm.

Kathleen McHugh announced that a Volunteer of the Month will be revealed in the September newsletter and reminded members of the upcoming Indulgence Ride in October. 

Vice President Havas thanked Harvey Cohon for serving as greeter and Kathy Cohon, Judy Rutter, and Pam Zirion for providing refreshments.

The minutes of the July 9, 2015 General Meeting were approved.

Vice President Havas reported that thank you letters had been received from several organizations that had received contributions from the club.

Bill Martin reported that the club's finances had been bolstered by the receipt of the Lighthouse registration fees and clothing presale revenues.

Ken Price provided an update on local road repairs and urged members to ask their elected representatives to support funding for road infrastructure improvements.

Vice President Havas noted that a Captain is needed for the Lighthouse Shamel Park rest stop and that candidates are needed for 8 board positions that will be open in 2016.

Shaun Cooper from SLO County Parks and Recreation gave an update on the status of the Bob Jones Pathway extension from the Octagon Barn to the Ontario Road parking lot. Construction is not anticipated to start for several years.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:15 PM.
board-minutes
SLOBC Board Meeting Minutes
By Craig Armstrong, Secretary
Air Pollution Control District Auditorium
3433 Roberto Court, San Luis Obispo CA
August 4, 2015 5:05 PM

Board members present: Gary Havas, Craig Armstrong, Bill Martin, Kathleen McHugh, Susan McTaggart, Dave Abrecht, Martin Howell, and Ken Price.

Dale Sutliff and John Semon presented a preliminary proposal for a bike rack/bike corral incorporating a memorial to Ben Patrick to be located adjacent to the Hula Hut in Avila. They are in the process of evaluating various designs and building business and community support for the project. It is anticipated that funding will be obtained from various sources.  The board expressed unanimous agreement for supporting and assisting in funding the project.

The minutes of the July 7, 2015 meeting were approved (MSC Abrecht/Howell).

Dave Abrecht noted that an article covering bicycling in San Luis Obispo County will be appearing in the Tribune in the near future.

Bill Martin reported that club was in excellent financial shape due to the recent receipt of the revenue from Lighthouse registrations and pre-ride clothing sales. 

Gary Havas briefly reviewed proposed updates to club polices regarding club publications, email groups, and social media outlets. These changes had been introduced at the July board meeting, and following a brief discussion, the changes were approved (MSC Armstrong/Price).  

Paragraph 6.5 implied that club members wishing to disseminate information regarding sick or injured members had to coordinate that effort with the Sunshine Committee. Since that is not the case, that section was deleted
Existing
6. Publications
6.1 The SLO Coaster, online web pages, e-mail group mail, and the club directory shall not contain commercial advertisements, flyers for any cause, ads for other clubs' rides, or comments derogatory to local businesses. If space permits, advertisements for bicycles and accessories may be included in the newsletter. Newsletter issues that are expected to exceed 24 pages require Board approval 
6.2 The club ride calendar shall only include rides consistent with the club's bylaws and those other rides as directed by the Board. All changes to the ride calendar must be approved by the Ride Coordinator before publication. 
6.3 The email version of the SLO Coaster shall be automatically sent to all member and non-member email addresses. Printed newsletters shall only be available to memberships/addresses at an annual fee set by the board each August for the next calendar year based on current production costs.
6.4 The general email group is available for club members to post cycling related information which would be useful to the membership. Examples include club functions, bike coalition activities, and warnings about road hazards. It should not be used for non-cycling related news, fundraisers, funny stories, personal experiences, etc. Information about rides should be included in the ride calendar or distributed via the separate email groups established by participants in some of the standard group rides. As anexception, an announcement regarding a new ride may be distributed to make members aware of it.  
6.5 The Sunshine Committee will determine how information dealing with deaths, injuries, or illnesses will be distributed.

Revised
6. Publications
6.1 The club's newsletter, directory and member website shall not contain commercial advertisements, flyers for any cause or ads for other clubs' rides.
6.2 The club's public website, social media, email communications and Wildflower and Lighthouse Century materials may contain vendor, sponsor or partner identification, information, offers and events as approved by the Board.
6.3 The club's newsletter, directory, websites, social media and email communications shall not contain comments derogatory to local businesses. 
6.4 If space permits, advertisements by members for bicycles and accessories may be included in the newsletter. 
6.5 Printed newsletter issues may not exceed 24 pages without Board approval.
6.6 A digital newsletter shall be automatically emailed to all members and subscribers who have provided an email address. Printed copies of the digital newsletter will be available to members who choose to receive one as part of the membership process. The Board will set the annual subscription fee for the printed newsletter each August for the next calendar year considering current production costs.
6.7 A digital directory shall be automatically emailed to all current members who have provided an email address. A printed version of the SLOBC Directory will be produced annually and mailed to all current members that choose to receive one as part of the membership process at no cost to members.
6.8 The club ride calendar shall only include rides consistent with the club's bylaws and policies and those other rides as directed by the Board. All changes to the ride calendar must be approved by the Ride Coordinator before publication.
6.9 The general email group is available for club members to post cycling related information which would be useful to the membership. Examples include club functions, bike coalition activities, and warnings about road hazards. It should not be used for non-cycling related news, fundraisers, funny stories, personal experiences, etc. Information about rides should be included in the ride calendar or distributed via the separate email groups established by participants in some of the standard group rides. As an exception, an announcement regarding a new ride may be distributed to make members aware of it.
The board discussed amending the by-laws to clearly define what constitutes a quorum and continued the discussion to the next meeting.

Dave Abrecht reported that he is trying to arrange for Wende David from the Land Conservancy to make a presentation to the board regarding funding raising efforts for the Octagon Barn trailhead project. 

The meeting adjourned at approximately 5:55 PM.
news
News, Notes & Events
Red Davis Bikeway Presentation 
By Dave Abrecht

The Red Davis Bikeway presentation will be held during the County Board of Supervisors' Meeting on Tuesday, August 18, at the County Government Center on Monterey St. in San Luis Obispo. The Board will issue a proclamation dedicating the seven mile stretch of Los Osos Valley Road from Foothill Road to Los Osos as the Red Davis Bikeway.  The meeting begins at 9:00 AM and the presentation is one of the first items on the agenda. Please be at the meeting at 9:00 AM. This is a festive occasion; wear a club jersey, if you wish, and bring a colorful helium balloon. 

A no-host coffee and cake celebration (cake is being provided) is being planned at Black Horse Coffee, 1065 Higuera St. (just be
hind the county building) after the presentation. 

Please plan to join us to honor Red for his many contributions to cycling in San Luis Obispo County.

Volunteer of the Month
By Pam Zirion
Photo by Bob Young

Kathy Cohon has been chosen as our inaugural volunteer of the month!

Kathy is a hard-working person who volunteers whenever she sees a need to be filled. She can't remember how long she has been refreshment coordinator for SLOBC meetings, but every month she calls to remind those of us who signed up to bring our treats, brews coffee for the meeting, comes early, and sets up the refreshment area.
Kathy also has volunteered for many SLOBC jobs at the Lighthouse and Wildflower rides including, but not limited to, course safety and rest stops. She can be "called on for anything that needs to be done" according to Sharon Sutliff who nominated her.

So, Kathy, we at SLOBC salute you!! Kathy received a $20 gift card from the Club for being a great volunteer.

If you know of someone who volunteers and you would like to suggest they be acknowledged, send his/her name to Kathleeen McHugh at along with a brief explanation of why you feel they should be recognized by SLOBC.
Beach Babes Classic Ride

On 
June 14th four of us SLOBC "Babes" dressed up and joined other cyclists in the Beach Babes Classic ride which went from Long Beach to Huntington Beach and back. It was tons of fun, and, as you can see, Mary Tanner, Pam Zirion, Rosemary McKeen and Penny Thomas were all decked out in their finest! Next year we hope to have more SLOBC members join us! So mark your calendars for a fun ride and join us Beach Babes! (Guys also are accepted....).
Announcement: From Your 2015 Nominating Committee
By Red Davis, Past President
 
In accordance with our club's bylaws, I have formed a nominating committee to seek candidates for next year's board of directors - see the following list of positions and duties as written in the bylaws- 

President shall have the right to call meetings and shall preside over meetings of the Board and general membership.  He/she shall administer the management of affairs of the corporation; establish committees and define the duties and powers of such committees and have such other powers and duties as may be required, subject to the approval of the Board.   He/she shall be ex-officio member, with vote, of all committees except the nominating committee.

Vice President, in the absence of the President, shall perform all duties and have all powers of the President. He/she shall have such other duties as may be assigned by the President or Board.

Secretary shall serve all notices required by law or by these bylaws. He/she shall handle all correspondence of the corporation under the direction of the President of the Board of Directors. He/she shall keep a record of the proceedings of all meetings of the Board and the general membership. These shall be provided to the Newsletter editor for publishing in a timely manner. He/she shall have such other duties as may be assigned by the President or Board.

Treasurer shall furnish, or cause to be furnished, a complete set of books of the accounts, which shall include preparing and maintaining a set of standard ledgers, depositing funds and rendering statements, and opening such books of accounts to inspection by any Director or member. He/she shall be chairman of the Finance/Budget Committee and present a budget for the next fiscal year for the approval of the Board. He/she shall provide and prepare for a year-end review, if requested by the Board and shall make an annual report to the membership.

Ride Coordinator shall publish the current ride schedule, coordinate special club rides and have such other duties as may be assigned by the President or Board.

Membership Coordinator shall maintain a membership tracking and recording system and collect dues. He/she shall have such other duties as may be assigned by the President or Board.
 
Advocate shall monitor cycling related legislative issues, act as liaison to outside organizations and have such other duties as may be assigned by the President or Board.
 
Public Relations Coordinator shall manage activities and initiatives to promote the club to the community and to attract new members.

Newsletter Editor shall publish the club newsletter and have such other duties as may be assigned by the President or Board.

Historian shall collect and preserve club memorabilia and have such other duties as may be assigned by the President or Board.

Safety Director shall provide safety guidance to club members and to the ride chairs of our annual rides.
 
*Programs Coordinator is a proposed new position. If approved, this person will be responsible for programs at General Meetings and other such duties as may be assigned by the President or Board.
 
Director-At-Large shall represent the general membership and have such other duties as may be assigned by the President or Board.

Club members are invited to throw your hats in the ring for any board position. To do that, contact either Gail Joyce Davis or Robert Fuller Davis at 772-0874 or email [email protected]  or [email protected] . 

Some folks have already thrown their hats in for a few of the positions - 
 
President                                      Will Benedict 
Vice President 
Secretary 
Treasurer                                      Bill Martin
Ride Coordinator 
Membership Coordinator 
Advocate 
Public Relations Coordinator        Samantha Pruitt
Newsletter Editor                          Susan McTaggart
Historian 
Safety Director                              Ken Price
Programs Coordinator
Director at Large 
 
Thank you for your attention.
Red Davis
2015 Nominating Committee Chair

One of our club members recently wrote a terrific suggestion to our President suggesting some positive ways to change our club operations.  I liked his suggestions so much that I invited him to run for office.  He replied that he was not interested in actually working to help improve the club. 
Don't be a do-nothing nay-sayer.  If you think that your club needs help with better management, and you think that your club is worth saving, step up and do the right thing.  Volunteer for a Board position where you can make positive change.  If you are not willing to work for change, don't complain that it doesn't happen.
 
Thank you for your attention.
Red Davis
2015 Nominating Committee Chair
Save the Date
Ontario Road Clean-up Project

We have scheduled an Ontario Road clean-up project for Saturday, October 10, at 8:00 AM. 

More details to follow.  


Ernest Cole cruising the Bob Jones Trail with Harley and Milo.
Member Volunteer Recognition Program
By Kathleen McHugh

The SLOBC elected to establish a Member Volunteer Recognition Program. Bruce Smith got the process going (Thank you, Bruce).


The requisites for a person nominated are very simple: The SLOBC wants to recognize members who are not necessarily Board members or ride captains but are regular, everyday members who do things that support the mission of the SLOBC, namely:
  • Promote safe & legal bicycle riding
  • Helping others to ride together in this beautiful environment and enjoy their time together
  • Work together to raise funds for operations and donations
  • Recruiting and welcoming new members
An additional requisite could be going out of their way to do something that helps members, the SLOBC, or bicycling in general.

In SHORT {= long}, I am asking for the membership to think about members who we should recognize for any of the above or other reasons. Then take those thoughts - write them down and send me an e- mail with the pertinent information so I can document and recommend them for this Member Volunteer Recognition.

Thank you very much!
Kathleen McHugh
[email protected]
ride-coordinator
Ride Coordinator's Report
By Kathleen McHugh
Record Breaking Ride to Santa Barbara!

Thursday, June 24, a small but valiant group of SLOBs took off from San Luis Obispo (or Grover) for Santa Barbara (or Carpenteria) on our trusty steeds. Accompanied by our indomitable SAG vehicle (with Larry Varni and Harvey Petersen), Cindee Varni, Bruce and Ann Smith, Dick Davidson, Ernest Cole, Susan McTaggart, Pam Link, Bill Martin, Jack Robison, Karla and RussWalls, Joan Petersen and Kathleen McHugh headed out early.

We decided to brave Los Berros despite warnings by our Safety Director, KenPrice, and were not surprised when Cindee discovered a flat soon after traversing the final metal plate. This would be the first of EIGHT (8) flats over the next 2 days and 130 miles! Before arriving at lunch in Orcutt at mile 28, Cindee had 2, Jack 1, and Bill 1. A meremile from Buellton, Cindee got her third flat while Jack rode in on a soft tire. The evening was spent resting up and repairing inner-tubes.

Hoping that day 2 would be better, we were soon disabused of that when Ernest flatted AND discovered that he had the 'wrong' 20" tube. Long, frustrating morning.






After coffee at El Capitan, Ann found her flat. This repair involveda search for tweezers and an accounting of patches on her tubes (Ann! Buy some tubes!).






Finally, as we approached ice cream at McConnell's in Santa Barbara, Cindee got her final flat. Eight (8) flats on what was essentially a smallish group doing two average rides. Record breaking for sure! We wonder if the fact that we had thirteen (13) riders might have had something to do with it?!?
weekly-rides
Changing Weekly Rides
The Ride Calendar provides the full weekly ride schedule.
Flyers (9:00 AM, D3)
Wednesdays
Coordinator: Russ Robinson
Phone: 805-781-0903

Date: September 2
Leader: Steve Vines
Phone: 805-202-8114

Date: September 9
Start: French Park. San Luis Obispo
Leader: Terry Cohen
Phone: 805-747-4584

Date: September 16
Start: Heritage Square Park, Arroyo Grande
Leader: Russ Robinson
Phone: 781-0903

Date: September 23
Start: French Park, San Luis Obispo
Leader: Bill Goodger
Phone: 608-770-1448

Date: September 30
Start: French Park, San Luis Obispo
Leader: Doug Seidewitz
Phone: 410-337-2233
Frequent Feeders (9:00 AM, B2)
Wednesdays
Coordinator: Frank Mullin
Phone: 805-602-2058

Date:  September 2
Start: French Park, San Luis Obispo
Destination: Branch Street Deli, AG
Leader: Mark Lyon
Email: [email protected]
 
Date:  September 9
Start: Throop Park, San Luis Obispo
Destination: Morro Bay
Route: Along Red Davis Bikeway
Leader: Dave Abrecht
Phone: 805-801-9211
Email: [email protected]
 
Date:  September 16
Start: Food 4 Less, San Luis Obispo
Destination: Red Dirt, AG
Route: Orcutt etc to Hwy 1, then Elm to Coffee.  Return Grand and Coast.
Leader: Harvey Cohon
Phone: 805-234-2982

 Date:  September 23
Start: Heritage Square Park, Arroyo Grande
Destination: Trilogy, Nipomo 
Leader: Gil Pitt
Phone: 805-489-0138
Email: [email protected]
 
Date:  September 30
Start: Laguna Lake Park, San Luis Obispo
Destination: Blackhorse on Foothill (subject to change)
Leader: Dale Sutliff
Email: [email protected]
SLO Pokes (9:00 AM, A2)
Wednesdays
Coordinator: June Kramer
Phone: 425-239-8692
 
Date: September 2
Start: Cloisters Community Park, Morro Bay
Destination: Harmony
Note: Coffee in Cayucos
Leader: Hans and Patricia Hoerst
Phone: 805-534-9660

Date: September 9 
Start: Throop Park, San Luis Obispo
Destination: Blackhorse on Foothill
Note:  Figure 8 around the cerros
Leader: Kate Murray 
Phone: 858-395-3001 

Date: September 16 
StartCloisters Community Park, Morro Bay
Destination: Carlocks, Los Osos
Leader: Val Barboza
Phone: 805-264-5901

Date: September 23 
Start: J & J Cellars, San Miguel
Destination: The Bacon Ride
Notes: coffee at a winery en route, Lunch afterward at Hunter Ranch Grill
Leader: Dee and Scott McKelvie
Phone: 805-610-1234

Date: September 30
Start: Heritage Square Park, Arroyo Grande 
Destination: Mayor's Place, Nipomo
Note: Bob and Jerri's birthday and anniversary ride
Leader: Bob Young
Phone: 310-503-1116 
Tortoises (9:00 AM, A1)
Fridays
Coordinators: Stu & Janie Goldenberg
Phone: 805-544-4720

Date: September 4
StartMeadow Park, San Luis Obispo
Destination: Cal Poly (while students are away)
Leader: Mindy Nissen
Phone 805-550-3386

Date: September 11
Start: Lila Keiser Park, Morro Bay
Destination: Coffee at the Divine Street Cafe
Leaders: Hans and Patricia Boerst
Phone: 805-534-9660

Date:  September 18
StartPreisker Park, Santa Maria
Destination: Coffee in Nipomo
Leader: Bob Young
Phone: 805-489-4755

Date: September 25
StartFood 4 Less, San Luis Obispo
Destination: Hula Hut
Leader: Bob Tuman
Phone: 805-545-5976

Wandering With Will (9:00 AM)

One Saturday Each Month

Coordinator: Will Benedict
Phone: 805-441-4105
Email[email protected] 

 

Date: September 5
Start: French Park, San Luis Obispo
Route: Hi Mountain 

program
Upcoming Program
By Gary Havas, Vice President
Water
Ron Munz from the SLO Utilities Department will be making a presentation on the SLO City water situation and the present state of the drought.

Date: Thursday, September 3
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: SLO City/County Library
995 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo


The Date, Time and Location of 
SLOBC meetings can be found
on our 
Events Calendar webpage. 

SLO Coaster

The SLO Coaster is the monthly newsletter of the San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club that is automatically sent to all members. Everyone is welcome to view and subscribe to the digital edition of the SLO Coaster. To subscribe, use the Newsletter Signup Form.

 

All articles, letters, stories of bicycling experiences, appropriate classified ads, artwork etc, are welcome. Each article is the opinion of its author and does not necessarily represent the opinion or endorsement of the SLOBC or editor.

Submittal Guidelines

All materials are due no later than 

8:00 a.m. on the 15th of each month. Nothing will be accepted verbally. 

The editor reserves the right to edit or reject material.

 

All materials should be emailed to [email protected].

  

Complete submittal guidelines are found at: Newsletter Guidelines.

  San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club, Inc.

  Website: www.slobc.org        

  Email: [email protected]

  Phone: 805.543.5973