NCBC meeting notes - February '97

These are the notes from the February 3rd, 1997 meeting of the NCBC.

The meeting was convened at REI at Crossroads Shopping Center in Cary, now the regular meeting place of the NCBC (first Monday of each month). Approximately 14 people attended.

Feature presentation

David Cole (yep, the club's webmaster guy) presented "Year-round bicycle commuting." David commutes the 32-mile round-trip from Apex to RTP as often as he's able, and offers these top-ten bicycle commuting tips:

10. Always ride with a mirror and keep an eye on the traffic behind you.

9. Wear a reflective triangle when riding in the dark (available at REI) - it makes a difference!

8. Use a wet washcloth to wipe yourself down once you get to work. Use alcohol if you really sweat.

7. Freeze your water bottle in the summer so that you'll have cool water at the end of the ride (both to drink and to wipe down with).

6. Get all your clothes and equipment ready the night before, so that all you have to do in the morning is get up and go.

5. Leave early in the morning (6:30) and in the afternoon (4:00) so as to avoid traffic.

4. Keep your tires properly inflated and carry with you what you'll need to fix a flat.

3. Make arrangements with coworkers to catch a ride home if the weather turns bad - half a commute is better than none!

2. Realize you're saving 25 cents per mile, which can yield savings for new bike stuff!

1. Stash extra socks and underwear at work - they can make a big difference if you're forgetful in your packing!

Spring Rally

• A variety of sponsors have already been lined up
• Many tasks are likewise assigned (still looking for a director, though)
• Agreed on the following regarding T shirts
  • Would use same T Shirt design for all three rallies
  • Will use sponsors to subsidize cost of shirts
  • Shirts will be optional and offered at modest cost
  • Agreed to proceed with T shirt design
  • Will offer contest for design, w/ $50 prize to winner
  • Contest to be announced in web page and newsletter
  • Back-up plan for design is to use M&M Design
• Discussed using Laura Village or Bond Park as starting point; David Cole will follow up

Newsletter

• Tim Hunter and Wayne Clark will be assuming from Chris
• Ed Downing will write some details on local rides

Juniors

• Lots of folks have expressed interest
• Probably need signs in bike shops
• N&O would probably do an article, too (contact: Butch Robertson)
• Jim will convene interested parties

Jersies

• Club is considering having additional jersies (same design) printed
• Need to take inventory
• Will recommend at next meeting the sizes and numbers needed

Bike Shops

• Bikes USA will give 15% off clothing, 5% off bikes
• Label from newsletter will serve as proof of membership
• Not all bike shops honor club discount (e.g., REI, Performance)

Amendments to By Laws

• References to League of American Wheelmen (LAW) should be changed to League of American Bicyclists (LAB)
• A description should be added for USCF
• Proposed changes moved, seconded, and approved

Future programs

• Travelogues are always a big hit
• Smith Doss and Claude Monnier tentatively agreed to present "Crossing France on a Tandem" at a future meeting.