FREEWHEELERS OF SPARTANBURG
MEETING MINUTES, 02/07/05

The club met at the Westside Library on Oak Grove Road. At approximately 7:00 p.m. Paul LeFrancois called the meeting to order in the absence of President Marly Divver. Paul welcomed those present including guests and new members, and thanked Paul Melotte of Little Caesar’s for the pizza he had contributed. The following board members were present: Mike Bonner, vice president; Betty Campbell, treasurer, Andrew Danfy, racing; John Bryan, Assaults; Richard Dillard, publicity; Paul LeFrancois, PCC; Jeff Cook, bike shops; Ken Drescher, membership; and Steve Yetman, web site.

Committee reports followed:

Assaults on Mt. Mitchell/Marion, John Bryan
The Assaults on Mt. Mitchell/Marion will take place Friday, May 20, and the route has been greatly altered due to the hurricane damage last September. John has mailed out all the application forms. He urged Freewheelers planning to ride Mitchell to return their applications immediately so he will not have to delay responses to others who have been more prompt. He also asked for anyone who expected an application and has not received it to let him know. Despite the change in day (from Saturday to Friday), overall response has been good. Applications are coming in from all over the US and Canada. The new route is causing much interest. Staging for Mt. Mitchell riders will be at the Folk Art Center on the Parkway, not at the Tom Johnson Campground in Marion as in years past. John advised people who wanted to leave cars overnight at the Folk Art Center to follow instructions on where to park so the busses will have room to maneuver. The Marion and Mt. Mitchell routes diverge at the turn leading to Bill’s Hill; the Marion riders turn off Highway 64 to go up Bill’s Hill but the Mt. Mitchell riders continue along Highway 64 and eventually to the Blue Ridge Parkway. John noted that the finish line on top of the mountain would be set up the previous day to reserve space needed for the riders and workers. He added that there was one other significant change early in the route: Peachtree Road will not be used because a bridge is out, so riders will continue straight on Parris Bridge Road all the way to Highway 11.

Publicity Report, Richard Dillard
Richard reported that he, Paul and Yon Lambert had been working on Bike Town Week. They had gotten information out to the public through the Spartanburg Herald-Journal on the agenda for the week leading up to the Assaults, May 14-21. Robert has talked to Governor Mark Sanford, who expressed interest in participation, perhaps by riding in the pace lap for the criterium race. Mayor Bill Barnett may also participate.

Bike Shops, Jeff Cook
Jeff asked Mark Kayser of BikeOn about the recurring bike shop rides on Sundays. Mark described the rides and noted that they stop at Brewster’s in Boiling Springs.

Membership, Ken Drescher
Two hundred thirteen members have renewed their club membership for 2005, leaving 172 who have not done so as of the meeting date. After March 1, non-renewing members will be purged from the database.

Web Site, Steve Yetman
The Freewheelers web page is updated to include information on the Assaults.

Palmetto Cycling Coalition, Paul LeFrancois
Paul announced Bike Town was sponsored with grants from the Mary Black Foundation totaling $100,000 over the next three years. Bike Town Week, May 14-21, will begin with the Lollapalooza Loop ride on Saturday, May 14, from the downtown library on South Church Street. Local politicians will also be doing short loops in the city area. The library will show bike-related films that week. The Assaults will take place Friday, and the week will conclude with the criterium and a bike rodeo at Barnett Park on Saturday, May 21.

The PCC will have a team riding in the Tour de Cure in June, to benefit the American Diabetes Association.

Paul reported that 575 “Share the Road” license plates have been sold in SC, and state highway maps for 2005 feature information on “Share the Road” including a photo of Marly Divver riding her recumbent in Duncan Park. Paul passed one of these maps around for everyone to see.

The League of American Bicyclists National Bike Summit will take place in March. South Carolina will be the featured state.

A reward fund has been set up to help identify motorists who hit cyclists and do not stop. This fund presently totals $2000.

Presentation of Ride Support Policy
Jeff Cook reported that the latest board meeting had adopted a policy to support group rides that start and finish at bike shops. The committee appointed by the board drew up a document outlining this policy. Twenty percent of the club’s annual income can go toward sponsoring local rides of this type. Jeff passed out copies of the report and noted that it will be posted on the club web site this week. The board asks that anyone interested in organizing such a ride give the board a 90-day advance notice.

ID Cards, Jeff Howland
Jeff has been working on preparing a laminated membership card for club members. This card will feature medical information important for EMTs in case in injured rider is unconscious or otherwise unable to respond to questions. He passed forms around to be filled out and returned to him.

Other Business
Paul asked for volunteers to help revise and update the old “Bike Spartanburg” maps originally printed about ten years ago. The routes are up for revision.

Andrew Danfy announced that there is club cycling apparel still available; see him if you are interested.

Paul called everyone’s attention to the old bike travel case and opened bids to auction it off. There were no takers. It can be borrowed from Andrew as needed.

Steve Yetman announced that the first training ride for Mt. Mitchell would be held February 26 at Tigerville.

Featured speaker Doug Guth reported on the Miracle Hill Rescue Mission and how they help people in need in Spartanburg, Greenville and Pickens Counties. He announced the Miracle Hill Cycling Challenge scheduled for Saturday, June 11, for the purpose of raising funds for the MHRM. Organizers are looking for ten teams of three riders each, with each rider to raise $1000 in pledges. They would like to have corporate and individual sponsors. Doug had entry forms and information available.

Tom Divver announced the death on February 5 of Marly’s father, James A. Smith of Asheville, and gave the details of the service set for 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 12. This information as well as details of memorials has been sent out to members via e-mail. He thanked everyone for their expressions of sympathy and support.

Les McBay reminded everyone of the Million Miles Challenge and asked them to e-mail monthly mileage to him via million@freewheelers.info.

There being no other business, Paul thanked everyone for coming and adjourned the meeting.

Respectfully submitted,
Lynn
Lynn G. Carlsen for Gloria Anderson
02/12/05