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Welcome to the Southern Bicycle League

Whether you're new to cycling or a veteran rider, membership in Atlanta's Southern Bicycle League will add to your enjoyment of cycling. Learning from other riders, experiencing the thrill of new rides, and enjoying the camaraderie are benefits that last a lifetime. You'll also have the opportunity to help other cyclists and educate the community on cycling issues by getting involved in the club's many activities, such as the Advocacy Committee or by leading a ride.

A Message from the SBL President

by Wallace McRoy

(July 2010)

Looking to the Future

It may seem a bit early to be addressing election of officers for 2011, but it is important that the process begin now. Elections aren’t until October or November, so why now? When I took over as President, my predecessor, Robert Wilhite, had already announced that news on the formation of chapters was imminent. That was two years ago. I have the plans 95% complete to get chapters going but have not been able to focus on that last 5% that is necessary for implementation. This is just one example of how the club has stagnated over the last several years.

We have a shortage of officers, so no one in a leadership role is able to focus on anything for more than a few minutes. My term as president expires at the end of this year, and I do not have plans to continue into 2011. Bill Moll, our Treasurer, moved out of state and should probably be replaced this year. (Bill is not going to abandon us, but it is difficult for him to take care of business here in Atlanta.) We have not had a Touring Director to manage the ride schedule, coordinate the major rides, and recruit and train new ride leaders since the beginning of this year. We do not have a Public Affairs Director to monitor governmental initiatives or to steer our own advocacy efforts. The Safety Director position has been vacant for so many years that we have no programs going in this area at all. Even though our FreeWheelin’ Editor is no longer a rookie, he is still working pretty much in a vacuum. We have some new leaders this year who have been doing a great job, but they cannot carry the load without the previously mentioned vacancies being filled.

At the next officers’ meeting (July 11), we will be appointing a nominating committee. With a membership base as large as the SBL that is spread out over a footprint covering about one third of the state, we do not have a means for identifying where our future leadership can be found. For 2010, only one nomination came from the general membership. If you would like to be on that committee, please contact me or one of the other directors by clicking here. Please don’t wait, the SBL needs your input.

Follow Up

Last December, I placed a mileage log on bikeSBL.org and challenged you to keep a record of your mileage in 2010. I immediately caved in to a head cold and freezing weather by sitting in the house for the first two weeks of the year. Finally, with the completion of BRAG, I am back on schedule to meet my annual objective. I run into the occasional rider who tells me his or her log has provided some unanticipated benefits. By noting maintenance records in the area to the right of the log, some of them are doing a much better job of keeping their chain clean and avoiding the unnecessary purchase of a replacement cassette. Even if you did not start logging your rides at the beginning of the year, it is not too late to start. On bikeSBL.org, go to the DOWNLOADS section and choose the electronic version or the paper version to be downloaded to your computer.

- Wallace, (Click here to contact me)

Upcoming Rides from the SBL and SBL Supporters

SBL Jewel

Date

Event

Web Site

Ride App

July 24-25, 2010 BRAG Summer Ride

July 31, 2010 Blazing Saddles

August 14, 2010 SBL Family Summer Picnic

August 14, 2010 Chattooga Century

August 29, 2010 Wilson 100

Sept. 11, 2010 Nut Roll

Sept. 18, 2010 Beautiful Backroads

October 3, 2010 Ferst Annual Lewis Grizzard & Catfish Memorial Bike Ride

Nov. 12-14, 2009 North Florida Tour

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