Happy New Year, Fellow Cyclists!
We have opened up a new year of great cycling. I hope you have joined me in my New Year’s resolution of riding more for 2018. Before we look ahead, though, let’s take a peek back to last year’s club events.
ICE started 2017 with the hosting of the Tax Day Road Race in the Marsh Valley area. This race is part of the Utah Cycling Association’s points series. By all accounts, it was a well received race with good turnout and a nice course. I do encourage more ICE members to participate in this race so we can outnumber the Utah folks.
As always, ICE hosted a Summer Series of hill climbs and time trials. In case you are not familiar with these events, they are open to all area cyclists of any ability. In addition, they are free to all ICE members. Non-members are free for their first race with the expectation of joining the club for $10. The camaraderie present at these events is quite encouraging. I urge you all to join us for next year.
The Senior Games cycling races may be a low key event, but do not discount the competitive spirit of these senior citizens! I will admit that I qualify to race these events and I do so proudly. ICE runs all the cycling events for the Senior Games committee. These include a criterium, road races, and time trials. If you are over 50 years old, I will expect to see you there this July.
Because Barrie’s has been a stalwart of the club for many years, ICE hosted a couple of post-ride barbecues at Barrie’s. What a great chance to get to know our fellow riders! Sometimes it is hard to recognize folks without their kit! It is great to hear about their rides and how their fitness improves year after year.
While ICE hosted only one officially sanctioned race, the club actively supported major cycling events in the area. The biggest of these is Spinderella where ICE members lent their expertise and time to that wonderful organization. The 4 Peaks Gran Fondo is an amazing ride that grows bigger every year. It seems most ICE members participated in one way or another. The Tour of Marsh Valley was a wonderful ride that supports a worthy cause. Once again, many ICE members were on course or helping. Late in the year was Bengal Cross, which was my first ever cyclocross event ever. I shall return. Many ICE members either raced and/or helped. It would gratify me if more members would turn out for this remarkable event. We needed more cowbells!
Particularly gratifying this year was the clubs ability to sponsor two young and promising riders, Grant Gardner and Colby Ketterman. Look for those two on podiums everywhere!
As usual, the club closed the season with the annual awards party at the Sand Trap. What struck me the most was the improvement made by so many riders. It seems that camaraderie is a great way to train! Picking up tips and pushing through boundaries with the help of more experienced riders is incredibly beneficial.
Not all of the club’s mission is riding, however. ICE successfully lobbied Bannock County to install “Share the Road Signs”. This happened only after several years of conversations with the commissioners. Talk about blue in face! I hope you have seen these signs and appreciate their meaning.
No recap would be complete without a hearty “Thank You” to all of the clubs sponsors. Without them, ICE could not have accomplished even a part what took place last year. Please, take the time to thank these folks whenever you happen to meet them. The club’s goals and our sponsor’s goals intersect at making cycling safer, healthy and fun.
Please be sure to re-up your membership for 2018 at athlete360. Remember, only $10. You will find them on the ICE webpage. If seeking more cycling crash insurance, obtain a license from USA Cycling. I look forward to seeing you all on the roads and trails very soon. Stay tuned for updates for the coming year, including the calendar of events, ICE clothing purchase, a new years meeting and opportunities for volunteering to make this club great.
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