Volume 48, Issue #3, March 1, 2016 |
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President's Message
By Will Benedict
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Communications
The SLOBC has developed a set of communication tools to keep members connected and informed. Our Communications web page has been updated to more clearly identify the tools used by the SLOBC and their roles in supporting our communications. The following focuses on two of these tools.
Member Email Communications
The SLOBC supports a set of email groups that permit members to communicate with each other based on interest. Our Email Groups web page provides information on each group.- SLOBC members may Join any group - no one is automatically added.
- Only group members may send emails using the group's email address.
- Only group members receive emails sent to the group's email address.
- New groups can be setup by sending a request to email-groups@slobc.org
SLOBC General Email Group
Being part of the SLOBC General email group provides you with the most current club news. This is an important group to join if you want to stay fully informed.
What Is Communicated?- Club activity reminders
- Current road hazards and construction
- Cancellation of a published ride
- Announcement of a new ride
- Announcement of impromptu rides
- Bicycle related news (e,g., Bike SLO County activities and events)
- It should not be used to announce non-bicycle related activities, fund raisers, funny stories, personal experiences, etc.
- It should not be used in place of specific Ride Email Groups.
Ride Email Groups
Many of our weekly rides have email groups to keep members informed. Rides without email groups can have them setup by sending an email to email-groups@slobc.org
What Is Communicated?
- Ride reminders
- Cancellation of a ride
- Group event planning
- Call for ride leaders
- Sharing of group photos
Instagram
The new SLOBC Instagram page - www.instagram.com/slobc_org - will include posts of club events, rides and activities that anyone can see. The club uses a series of hashtags to relate posts with a similar focus. If you use these hashtags on Instagram posts, you can search and see all posts with the same hashtag.
The suggested hashtags are:- General SLOBC: #slobc
- Wildflower Century: #slobcwildflowercentury
- Lighthouse Century: #slobclighthousecentury
- Ride Groups: #slobcslopokes, #slobcyellowjackets, etc.
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News, Notes & Events
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| First Annual SLOBC Chili Cook-Off A Huge Success!
Thirty-one club members formed 14 Chili Cooking teams to make our first annual SLOBC Chili Cook-off a rousing success. In addition to the cooks, 70+ members enjoyed an evening of socializing, chili tasting, voting for their favorite recipes, a chili-inspired game of Bingo and ice cream sundaes to top off the evening. A huge thanks to the Chili Cook-off organizing team, Debbie Abrecht, Joan Petersen, Kathleen McHugh and Susan McTaggart, for their hard work planning and organizing an incredibly fun "meeting". Stay tuned for more social and fun club activities in 2016.
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Special Club Rides
by Dave Abrecht, Vice-President
A major goal of mine is to breathe new life into the idea of having special club rides. For example, these rides could be a one day trip to Ojai or a multi-day excursion to Sonoma County's wine region to ride our bikes and enjoy social activities with fellow members.
We do not have a Ride Coordinator this year. If special club rides are to occur during 2016, it will take a team of members to create and plan them. To accomplish this goal, I will  host a meeting before the March general membership meeting to discuss the idea of planning special club rides this year.
Date: Thursday, March 3, 2016
Time: 6:00 PM
Place: City/County Library, SLO
The meeting and is open to all members. And, yes, there will be snacks. Hope to see you there!
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SLOB Bob Garing Service Award Nomination
 In 2001 the club presented to Bob Garing the first SLOB Bob Garing Service Award "in recognition of many years of unselfish service to the San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club."
Each year we invite club members to nominate people whom they feel deserve this award. Submit names to committee members Stu and Janie Goldenberg, John Rogers, Bruce Collier, Joan Petersen, Red and Gail Davis, Tim and Shelley Long, Frank Mullin, Dale and Sharon Sutliff, Glenn and Gail Vanderlinde, Dave Abrecht, Will Benedict or Chris Broome - all past recipients, no later than March 31, 2016. Please include written rationale for your nomination to help the committee make its selection. The committee will evaluate nominees and select a recipient.
When deciding whether you want to submit a nomination, consider the following characteristics that Bob Garing demonstrated over the years - - Continuing service over a long period of time (core requirement, at least ten years)
- Service to the club as an officer, volunteer, leader or other role (core requirement)
- Advocacy of bicycle transportation, facilities and safe riding
- Service to the bicycling community and community at large
- Significant leadership on club rides
- Working for improved bicycle conditions
- Mentoring through advice, education and leadership
- Role model for using the bicycle as a mode of transportation
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Lighthouse Jersey Designs
By Will Benedict, Clothing Coordinator
It's time to get creative and submit 2016 Lighthouse jersey design ideas. All concepts must be completed and received by April 1st.
Ideas must be presented in the standard jersey format. For format specifications and assistance in illustrating your idea, or putting your idea into the standard format, email Will at clothing-coordinator@slobc.org. |
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Octagon Barn Update
by Dave Albrecht
A huge "Thank You" to SLOBC members who have made individual contributions to the Octagon Barn Center's Bob Jones Trailhead and Cycling Center. To date, members have donated $9,390, and your donations will be matched dollar for dollar by the Club. Club members can be very proud to be a part of a project that will promote cycling in our County for generations to come.
These donations are in addition to the $30,000 direct donation that the Club made to the project last fall, which makes the SLOBC a major partner in the development of the Octagon Barn Center. Members may still make donations and local bike shops are also being asked to help us close the gap and reach our $10,000 goal.
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Tire Inflation By Roger Heathcote Some years ago a fellow by the name of Frank Berto, a retired engineering editor for Bicycling magazine, published information about tire inflation. His theory was that most riders inflate their tires to the suggested maximum pressure shown on the sidewall, but that bike tires could take much higher psi. He used a complex engineering project to calculate the best inflation numbers. Employing the term "tire drop" as the amount of tire sag under weight, he found that a 15% tire drop equals the best combination for comfort and rolling resistance. He constructed a graph from his research which shows that a typical 170-lb bike rider on a 30 lb. bike (200 lb. total weight) should inflate 700x23C tires to 106 psi, and 700x28C tires to 76 psi. Then Frank Berto addressed bike tire pumps & pressure gauges. He found that bike tire pressure gauges are made inexpensively to sell cheaply. When gauges are new they tend to be reasonably accurate, but as they wear out they tend to read high. The pressure gauge on a floor pump leads a very hard life. After a few inflations to 100 psi, it probably reads 100 when the tire pressure is 80 or 90 psi. If you want accurate tire pressure, buy a new hand gauge and use it to check the calibration of your floor pump's gauge. Download the complete article at http://bccclub.org/documents/Tireinflation.pdf.
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Ed Cabrera  This month we recognize Ed Cabrera as Volunteer of the Month. Ed is a relatively new member of the SLOBC, but he made an indelible impression on Robin Dery who nominated him.
It seems that at last year's Lighthouse, Ed stepped in to man the computers during registration! During the registration process, participants check in, get a number and all the essentials for the ride. Some-times there are glitches in what they ordered, and usually someone is available to use the computer to check on the person's registration, but this time there wasn't.
So, Robin, desperate for help, asked Ed to step up to the plate. He handled all of the issues and griping with aplomb and coolness that Robin envied.
Ed and his family lived in Atascadero for 29 years, but now they have lived in San Luis Obispo for 3 years. His daughter owns Jules D. men's store downtown, and his son is a physician's assistant in Riverside. Ed and his wife enjoy doing "grand-daughter duty" as much as possible.
Ed is a "retired" instructor from 36 years teaching social studies at Atascadero High School. I say "retired" because recently the school re-hired him to teach English until the end of the school year. Then he will be officially and completely retired.
So come June, Ed will find a ride group that suits his style and speed. We salute you, Ed, as our Volunteer of the Month for March.
Email nominations to Kathleen McHugh at elcolejr@gmail.com. Be sure to include the reason for your choice.
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Greetings from the Armrest of the Ride Chair!
So far we have 869 participants for the 2016 SLOBC Wildflower Century. That may sound like a lot, and yet that means we're only 62% filled so far. Not so long ago, we filled this ride in less than a day! Looking at our current situation, I am concerned.
The Wildflower has been a well-known and popular ride in part because it's been vigorously supported by our volunteers and coordinators. It's also been around for a long, long time, and known for great food! Yet as the popularity of cycling and the number cycling events has grown, we face certain challenges in keeping our ride the most visible and popular!
Last year the post-ride BBQ was moved to the Creston Community Center, with the Community Gardens adjacent, allowing the event to include beer and wine sales, something popular to ride events. We added live music and held on a little longer to the participants engaged in the fun afternoon there. My hope has been that the story gets out and word-of-mouth will bring riders (and their friends!) back to the event in 2016. This year, we're adding more to the appeal of the Wildflower...
I am focusing on the Wildflower becoming an event with a ride for an overall experience. The primary focus is still on the post-ride BBQ. We now have two solid bands playing: Cuesta Ridge Mountain Boys and Crustacea Jazz Band. The BBQ will feature chicken and beef, as well as portobello mushroom burgers. Salads will be robust and involve no iceberg lettuce! The really cool thing about the food is that so much of it is locally sourced. Chickens will come from Rinconada Dairy in Pozo, and the beef from a local supplier as well. The salads will be made by the Creston Market, and the beer is from Barrelhouse in Paso. Wine will be sourced from local wineries through the local community (same as last year). REAL lemonade with REAL sugar will come from Yes Artisan Beverages in Cayucos. The Wildflower is going more and more local, supporting our communities, and building lasting relationships.
In future events, we will seek more festive start and finish areas, more fun at Friday night registration, a robust vendor area at the Gardens, and more rider engagement all through the routes. What we do this year and in the future again will set the Wildflower apart from the competition by increasing its appeal, energy, and reputation for great food and fun! We cannot control the wildflowers, yet we can create a great ride experience with or without them!
Rinconada Dairy, Pozo, CA. Goats and sheep will soon have our 150 chickens for company!
Wildflower Volunteers Needed!
By Dave Abrecht, Volunteer Coordinator
We need volunteers to fill a number of Wildflower Ride positions. Volunteers do not need to be club members so friends and family members are welcome. All volunteers receive a ride T-shirt, a fully staffed pre-ride experience on April 16, and an invitation to the Volunteer Banquet on April 24. Captains Needed:- Course Marshal Captain - A person to coordinate the placement of course marshals on the various routes.
- Volunteer Banquet Captain - The Banquet location and a caterer have already been arranged. We need a person who will plan the remaining details and create a fun social celebration for our volunteers.
Other Volunteer Positions Needed: - Clean-up Team 5
- Course Marshals - Morning 2
- Course Marshals - Afternoon 4
- Truck Loaders 4
- SAGs 2
- Rest Stop Volunteers 19
Sign Up Process
- Click on Member Login on the SLOBC website home page.
- Sign in with your user name and password.
- Click on the Volunteer Tab.
- Select your volunteer assignment and other volunteer choices, then click SAVE.
If you have questions or need help, email Dave Abrecht at wildflower-volunteer-coord@slobc.org
Wildflower Banquet Captain 
The Monday Club in San Luis Obispo has been booked, Stein's BBQ Catering has been hired and a team is assembled but we need a captain. The job involves working together to create and execute a decorating theme! Some simple legwork acquiring gift cards for captains will be needed. There'll be some post-event cleanup and you KNOW you'll have more than your team. It's the SLOBC after all. Check it out on our webpage at: http://www.slobc.org/volunteering/century.html#banquet.
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A Bike Plan for all of California
We will have a statewide bicycle plan in the not too distant future. The state of California has launched a planning effort to create the first ever California State Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. This will be a real triumph, finally, for bicyclists, pedestrians, and other road users.
There will be many opportunities for input during the planning process. According to the state's recent announcement, the plan "...will be a visionary and comprehensive policy plan to support active modes of transportation and to increase safe bicycling and walking in California. The plan will guide the State in developing an integrated, multi-modal transportation network for all users..."
"California has set a target to triple bicycling and double walking by 2020 by improving these options for all Californians."
You can get more information, including ways to be involved via survey, etc. by going to the California Bike and Pedestrian Plan website at www.cabikepedplan.org
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Note: Features a climb up Ormonde
Leader: Anne Smith
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Tortoises (9:00 AM, A1)
Fridays
Coordinators: Stu & Janie Goldenberg
Phone: 805-544-4720
Date: March 4Start: Biddle Co Park, Arroyo GrandeDestination: Branch Street Deli Note: Brown bag lunch at Biddle Park follows Leader: Sharyl Overholser Phone: 805-439-0772 Date: March 11Start: Tidelands Park, Morro BayDestination: Carlock's Bakery, Los Osos Leader: Bob Tuman Phone: 805-545-5976 Date: March 18Start: Nazarene El Morro, Los OsosDestination: Tour of Los Osos/Baywood Leaders: Hans & Patricia Boerst Phone: 805-543-9660 Date: March 25Start: Santa Margarita Community Park, SMDestination: Tour of the Frozen Tundra Note: In honor of Bob Young Leader: Bob Tuman Phone: 805-545-5976
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Wandering With Will (9:00 AM, B3)
One Saturday Each Month
Coordinator: Will BenedictEmail: willbenedict@me.comPhone: 805-441-4105
Date: March 12, 2016
Event: West Hills Century
Start: West Hills College, Coalinga CA
Route: Metric Century ($45)
Note: Registration still open at:
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Upcoming Program
By Barry Rands, Programs Coordinator
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300 Miles on the Erie Canal
What do you get when you mix two chicks, one tornado, some humidity and a handful of mosquitoes? Why, a tour of the Erie Canalway Trail, of course! Come join Robin Dery and her sister Jo-Ann as they traverse 300 of the 400 miles of the trail through rural New York, exploring history and family roots as they sweat, swat, and cycle!
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Date: March 3, 2016
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.
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SLOBC Board Meeting Minutes
By Gary Havas, Secretary
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Air Pollution Control District Auditorium
3433 Roberto Court, San Luis Obispo CA
February 2, 2016, 5:00 PM
Meeting was called to order at 5:00:45 pm.
Roll call showed: Will Benedict, Dave Abrecht, Gary Havas, Bill Martin, Larry Rutter, Susan McTaggart, Dale Sutliff, Harvey Cohon, Ken Price, and Barry Rands present. No absences.
President Will Benedict offered Club cards and stationery for Board member use.
President Benedict described that Wildflower announcements were being made with a company that publishes for a small fee, and that an email blast had been executed. Queried, he replied that the effort and expense had well recouped the expense. Barry Rands suggested looking into Facebook Boosts (a service with fee from Facebook) to more directly target cycling demographics.
Treasurer's Report: Bill Martin gave a briefing on the layout of his report, submitting that he would rely upon electronic distribution rather than printed media. He described that some contributions have been made and others scheduled as tradition and current finances would allow.
January 2016 minutes were approved. Dave Abrecht/Susan McTaggart. All in favor.
Business:
1. Nominating Committee development. Past Presidents have been delegated this duty. As the Past Presidents' position has been removed, a new method for creating a committee needs formation. Issues of maintaining the continuity brought by the Past Presidents institutional and Club cultural knowledge need be maintained. Discussions arrived at seeking assistance from the many Past Presidents remaining active in Club affairs and social circles. President Benedict concluded with a request that Board members offer wording advice for policy change.
2. Meeting Structure. President Benedict offered that Club surveys indicate membership desires change in meeting structure, frequency, venue, and content. Dave Abrecht outlined a plan for a year's worth of meetings. General discussion favored this plan with suggestions offered encouraging forward progress with some of the plan in experimental fashion.
3. Membership Communication. Currently the Club offers several ways to distribute information and announcements to the membership. Discussion centered on simplifying this. President Benedict offered his procedure for communications and requested the Board work through it's flow and offer comment for refinement.
4. Special Club Rides. Dave Abrecht proposed that before the March 2016 SLOBC General Meeting he assemble a group of willing participants in the spearheading of special Club rides, aiming to garner commitment from participants to create special Club rides. He will accept email responses to this process from members unable to attend.
5. President Benedict offered current status of conversations with Active.
6. JotForm. President Benedict offered that he has added JotForm elements (e.g., Incident Report Online) to the Club's webpage for collecting data from members involved in club activity. This service is in addition to Constant Contact, and both are fee for service organizations. He sought a Motion to support this action. Larry Rutter/Harvey Cohon. All in favor.
7. Dave Abrecht offered that $30,000 has been released to the Land Conservancy for the Octagon Barn Bike Pavilion Project. SLOBC membership has contributed $9010 toward a matching fund provided by the SLOBC. This close, Dave went to local bike shops to seek the last of the funding needed to reach the $10,000 goal whereupon the SLOBC would release an additional $10,000 in matching funds.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:30:40 pm.
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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.
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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 newsletter-editor@slobc.org.
Complete submittal guidelines are found at: Newsletter Guidelines.
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Copyright © 2015. All Rights Reserved.
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