From the President 

I have had a lot of questions lately about our club ride miles and how they are tracked. What are club miles? What are personal miles? How long does a ride have to be posted on the web before we count the miles as club miles?

Should web-posted rides be counted as rides for the ride leader breakfast? Since club rides are free rides (no registration fees should pay-to-ride events be counted?

What about RAPSody, McClinchy, or the other "RAPSody training rides"? Does the person reporting the miles get credit for "leading" a pay-to-ride? Should we have somebody control what ride miles get counted? The list of questions goes on and on.

Tracking ride miles was started as a way to encourage members to ride. Currently the club has no written rules to define "club miles." When tracking began, the ride changes page on the website did not exist.

We self-reported McClinchy and the ride leaders (newsletter only reported the rest. We have had a lot of fun with the numbers. It appears to be working as last year we logged 34,807 club miles (that's more than a trip around world at the equator.

As President I do not wish to create rules that would create ill feelings among the members, or reduce our desire to ride together. I would prefer to create "Guidelines" for tracking club miles. Please don't read anything extra into the following paragraph as it is only my thoughts, no rules or guidelines will be created until they are discussed at an upcoming meeting.

Rides listed in the newsletter count miles and leader—this should encourage leaders to list in the newsletter a create an easy way to track the leaders. Rides listed on the website over 24 hours count miles.

Pay-to-ride events not sponsored by B.I.K.E.S. should be considered personal miles.

I would love to hear your thoughts.  Please send them to me at president@bikesclub.org

Club News

Make a Commitment to Your Club

Come learn how to get involved At Feb. 8 club meeting in Everett

BIKES Club of Snohomish County is an all volunteer effort, and we get a LOT accomplished. First there’s the miles we ride – led by volunteer ride leaders. Then there’s the annual McClinchy Mile Bike Ride, which takes the work of 25-30 club volunteers doing all sorts of things before, during and after the event.

Some of us help with the Ride Around Puget Sound (RAPSody). Others host a monthly newsletter stuffing. One person each month wrangles all the rest of us into posting a ride in our ride calendar.

At the Feb. 8 club meeting, we’ll talk about these and other volunteer opportunities, and our open Vice President position.

BIKES Club meetings are at 7 p.m. the second Thursday at the PUD in Everett, 2320 California.

Meeting Before the Meeting (dinner)
See you at Papi’s Pizza on Hewitt Ave around 5:45 p.m for dinner with your club friends.
We’ll talk about … biking, OK?

Scotts Injured by Inattentive SUV
Dan and Elaine Scott were leading Warren Bare and Pier Fiorentini on their tandem Jan. 24, in bright biker gear. The bikes had the right of way on 35th Ave SE when a car pulled in front of them— despite Dan’s yelling to get the driver’s attention.

Dan was unable to stop the bike in time. He got much road rash, and Elaine went to the doctor for injuries to her hip. They have had to cancel a vacation to California. Best wishes on recovery to Dan & Elaine.

The tandem could not be ridden, and needs a new fork. A sheriff’s deputy was at the scene and we await news of a citation. Mike Dahlstrom assisted at the scene as well.

Upcoming Events

February 18, Seattle Bike Swap -Magnuson Park Hanger #30.  http://www.pazzovelo.com/events/bike_swap.shtml

February 25, Chilly Hilly http://www.cascade.org/EandR/chilly/index.cfm

March 10-11, Seattle Bike Expo—Warren G. Magnuson Park.  http://www.cascade.org/EandR/expo/index.cfm

March 17, McClinchy Mile Ride. 
http://www.bikesclub.org/html/mcclinchy/mcclinchy.htm