NCBC meeting notes - March '98

recorded by Tim Hunter

The March meeting of the North Carolina Bicycle Club was held on Monday, March 2, at REI in Crossroads shopping center, in Cary. Club president Henri Bohl presided. 13 people were present.

Summer rally director needed

Henri opened the meeting by soliciting a new Summer rally director to replace ex-club president Sheila Miller, who will not be able to direct the rally as planned. There were no volunteers from the attendees.

Spring rally plans discussed

Spring Rally director and club webmaster David Cole explained his plan for the spring rally, scheduled for April 19 at Bond Park in Cary. David said he planned to use the same routes as last year, with the addition of a new short (15-18 mile) loop. David said that all the local bike shops have volunteered their time and staff. David still needs help manning two of the four SAG stops. He also needs someone to man the Bueller shelter at Bond Park for the first five hours after the rides start.

New regional sports magazine planned

Sean Sweeny explained that his company was starting up a new regional multi-sport publication called Carolina Sports. This magazine will have its premiere issue, the first of four in 1998, in May. The magazine will contain an event calendar, race results, and other local sports-related news. Carolina Sports will be available at local gyms, bicycle and running stores, and doctors offices. Sean said that the editors are currently trying to line up cyclists who are planning on riding the Assault on Mt. Mitchell for post-ride interviews. The Carolina Sports website is www.carolinasportsmag.com.

Other new business

James Hinson asked about getting a new club meeting space. He said that the current meeting place, the warehouse area in REI, is inadequate and uncomfortable. The attendees discussed where meeting had been held before. Henri suggested that James check out other places and report back at the April meeting.

The date of the Fall rally was fixed for October 11.

Henri noted that Robert Harper of the Capitol Area Bicycle Dealers Association will be speaking at the April meeting.

David said that we have reached the limits of our current level of web service and that we need to either increase our level of service or get our own server space. He recommended that we simply upgrade to the next level, at a cost of $5.00 per month.

Paul Zipin gives slide show

Club member Paul Zipin gave a very pleasant slide show of his recent cycling trip in the Burgundy and Alsace regions of France. Paul had a lot of good advice for cyclists who are planning a trip to France:

  1. If you need a place to stay, go to the local tourist office. They speak English and will help you decide where to go and give you directions on how to get there.
  2. Generally you should eat in your hotel. This is where you will find the best food in the area.
  3. The cheapest and easiest way to transport your bikes is in a rented car. Get a hatchback.
  4. The best waterproof panniers can be found at REI. Even in a 5-day downpour their clothes and things stayed dry. These panniers cost about $300.00 per set of 2 front and 2 rear panniers.
  5. Most visitors to France use Michelin maps and the Michelin Guide (known as the "red book"). Paul and his wife made their trip (either the fourth or fifth for them) in late July. Unfortunately this was "the coldest summer in history," with daytime temperatures reaching only into the 50's and falling to nighttime lows in the 40's. It poured rain almost continuously the entire time they were in Burgundy. Paul and his wife took touring bikes and averaged 50 miles of cycling a day. They planned no more than 1 or 2 destinations each day.

Page maintained by David L. Cole and last revised on Friday, May 1, 1998.
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