Volunteer retiring after 11 years … President’s Message I am so excited that the cycling season has finally started and being on the road again reminded me why I love cycling! In my view, there is nothing like riding in the outdoors and experiencing what the weather and the terrain has to offer – although warmth, sunshine and a few hills, for good measure, are certainly my preference. What makes my rides even more enjoyable is sharing this experience with others and, in truth, this is the key reason why people join and stay with TBN. I know that I am not alone in stating that riding with others makes the cycling experience more enjoyable. At a recent ride leaders’ clinic, with diverse participants, including ride coordinators from almost all ride categories, long‐time TBN members and new members, there was a definite consensus that people join TBN to ride with other people and to be part of a milieu where cycling is valued and supported. What has happened so far this year? The website is more user‐friendly allowing for: o Updates to your profile that will provide coordinators with the ability to send emails based on your ride preference. o Download of maps to your GPS or print maps before the ride. o The Forum allows you to share ideas, sell used cycling gear or hook up with others for an impromptu ride. Education has held sessions on a variety of topics including nutrition, stretching before/after a ride and Can‐Bike. Planning is on‐going for our overnight trips: TNTO, Cyclon and Hairshirt. Registration for TNTO is full, however, registration for Cyclon is still open and registration will soon be on‐line for camping trips. Last but not least is that all rides have begun for the season. So in many ways we are in great shape for this year and I am pleased and proud of all the hard work that so many volunteers have put into TBN. If you are not yet volunteering, the question is: Can you help in making TBN even better as “many hands make light work”? Can you help out on a committee? Can you lead a ride? Can you be an ambassador for TBN at a booth? Can you take someone under your wing that has just joined TBN and does not have anyone to ride with? Can you come up with some new strategies to enhance what we are already doing at TBN? Come on TBN’ers ‐ together we can make TBN the BEST BICYCLE CLUB in Canada! Please feel free to contact me with your ideas, suggestions or comments on [email protected]. See you on the road. Arlene Smith Editor’s Message Quick Release: Login and update your profile to ‘opt‐in’ in order to receive a hard copy that is mailed out. Please send articles to [email protected] by the second week of August to meet the deadline for the Fall issue. Sharon Chadwick, Newsletter Editor Quick Release | June – August 2013 | Page 2 President Arlene Smith [email protected] Past President Brian McLean [email protected] Secretary Paul Price & Brenda Sweet [email protected] Advocacy Ron Fletcher [email protected] Cyclon Neil Connolly & George Witte [email protected] Directors Education Manuela Gobbato [email protected] Membership Director Carole Hill [email protected] of Publicity & Promotions Ed Weiss [email protected] Social Susan Bishop [email protected] Treasurer Jean O’Grady [email protected] Board VP Skiing Terry Walsh [email protected] VP Touring Richard Anstett [email protected] The Weekend Trips Brenda Porter [email protected] Thank you to Eileen Harbinson – our Super Volunteer!! Eileen Harbinson has decided to retire from TBN after 11 years of outstanding service. Eileen was the type of volunteer who ensured that anything that needed to be done was done. She was the person who took on jobs that others would not or could not do; no job was too small or too large for Eileen. At the beginning of her tenure at TBN, Eileen researched the routes for Easy Rollers and Leisure Wheelers, led many of the Leisure Wheeler rides and when she could no longer ride, she continued to volunteer. As our membership secretary, she worked tirelessly to ensure that members received their laminated membership cards and she spent hours laminating each and every card. As a valued member of the Cyclon committee, she helped research the locations for many a Cyclon, organized the tour leaders, organized the volunteers from the colleges, got up early to ensure that everyone was well fed and even walked the dogs. As the assistant director of TNTO, she focused on ensuring that everyone was comfortable and well fed. When Eileen volunteered at the booths at the Ride for Heart and the Bike Show, she made sure that everyone understood the outstanding benefits of being a TBN member. I am sure that this is not a complete list of all that Eileen has done for TBN; one of her most important contributions has been her positive attitude, willingness to take on any job that needed to be done and passion about TBN. As a personal note to you, Eileen, we really hope that after a chance to rest and re‐energize you will come back to volunteer at TBN. We will miss your sense of humour, warm smile and willingness to help‐out wherever needed. Thanks you so much, Eileen, for who you are and everything you have done for TBN. Arlene Smith, TBN President Welcome to Carole Hill as Membership Director We are pleased to announce that Carole Hill has agreed to replace Eileen Harbinson as the Membership Director. Carole is a long‐time member of TBN and a very active volunteer; her volunteer activities include researching and leading many Easy Roller and Leisure Wheeler rides and co‐directing Cyclon. With Carole's outstanding organization skills and willingness to contribute, we know that Carole will provide great leadership as the Membership Director and the TBN Board of Directors looks forward to working with you. Quick Release | June – August 2013 | Page 3 Marc Brousseau 1955 – 2013 Mark died suddenly and unexpectedly at his home on April 16, 2013. Mark was a long‐time member of TBN and a model leader, working hard to find the most interesting routes, always waiting for stragglers and ensuring everyone's well being. Most recently, Mark was the Coordinator of City Walks and led many a TBN member on fascinating and fulfilling walks through the city of Toronto. Mark will be missed by all. Have you visited the new website yet? Have you logged into the new website and checked your profile? Have you checked opt‐in to receive a hardcopy of Quick Release that is mailed to you? Have you moved recently? If so, login and update your contact details or email [email protected]. Join the TBN Facebook group at Tweet at www.twitter.com/#!/TOBikeNetwork www.facebook.com/groups/tbn.ca Membership If you lead four or more rides in a season, in any ride class, then you are entitled to a complimentary TBN membership renewal. Complete the Ride Report after every ride, mail to TBN within 30 days of the ride and it will count towards your membership renewal. Quick Release | June – August 2013 | Page 4 Education More weekend trips coming soon! Visit the Education Program page, on the TBN website, for New trips are in the works upcoming events; here is a sample of education events: but we would love to hear Bike maintenance from you about trip ideas, or Packing a bike for travel whether you would like to Group riding techniques organize a trip, or get on the Nutrition for long rides planning committee for trips. Cycling attire Your feedback and discussion Long distance touring on existing trips and new trips is vital to the program. Note: All education programs are free. Contact Brenda Porter, Weekend Trips Director, on Contact Manuela Gobbato, Education Director, on [email protected] [email protected] Roberta Terzolo & Dave Raine April 13, 2013 Roberta and Dave met on a TBN ride over 11 years ago, when Dave asked Roberta if she wanted to become an Easy Roller Ride Leader. She agreed and the very first ride she led was the Annual BBQ picnic where more than 60 people showed up! Instead of quitting, she stuck with the Club and with Dave, eventually taking over the Easy Roller coordinator duties from him all the while the friendship was developing into something more serious. Fast forward eight years later, what with living together for a while, a few trips abroad and so on, when Dave finally popped the question at Christmas and 1 ½ years later, they were married in a beautiful church ceremony. Everyone, including some TBN’ers, had a great time at the reception which was held at the Glenerin Inn in Mississauga. Always check the website the night before or the morning of a ride for changes and/or 80% sold out so register today! cancellations due to bad weather. Quick Release | June – August 2013 | Page 5 Annual Spring Kick‐off Once again, a great turnout to our annual kick‐off breakfast, on May 25, at Etienne Brulé Park; his event continues to be very popular as members enjoy catching up with old friends and meeting new. Loreto held an informative ‘Cycling Essentials’ session and Cycle Toronto participated. Lots of food was enjoyed by all, as well as a number of draws. Dave Otway won the race as to who could cycle the slowest! Chris Siebermann led a ride up the Humber.