Coastin’

Our next club meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, November 5, 2001, at Alfred & Charlie’s, 815 S. New Hope Rd, Gastonia.

Newsletter Updates: Contact John Price at 704-867-2669,  at coastineditor@yahoo.com, or by mail at 681 Niblick Dr Gastonia NC 28054

 

 

                           GCC Christmas Party!  Monday December 3, 2001

             Time:  7:00 pm   Place: Alfred & Charlie’s

                                                                     

   Special Invitees:  New and wayward members!  If you haven’t been able to participate recently in club rides or meetings, please take

           this opportunity to see your friends, or to make new ones.

                         If the babysitter doesn’t work out, then bring the kids.  Your friends want

                         to see you!

                                  Wear your holiday colors as Alfred will have the main dining area

                          decorated for Christmas with a special meal planned for the club.

     

                                          Food: Steak or Grilled Chicken entrée

                               2 sides, beverage, dessert, gratuity:  $20

 

                          Please contact Paula Weant by November 26th at 704-865-6193 so we can give

                          Alfred an approximate head count.  Thank you.

 

 

New Members

Steve Overstreet, Charlotte (Steve participated in the weekday rides this past summer)

Judy Stroupe, Gastonia (Judy is a long-time rider & spins at the gym)

Welcome new members!

 

Ride & Run Schedule

 

With the time change on October 28th, our ride schedule will no longer include the weekday evening rides.

 Sunday (ride) 1:30pm, Forest View High School, routes available of 25, 30, 40 &

                                                                                                                        50 miles.

       Tuesday & Thursday (run) 6:00pm,  Food Lion (next to Ashbrook High School)

                                                                                        South New Hope Rd, Gastonia, 6 miles with

                                                                                                                                    shorter options.            

 

Officer Nominations & Elections

At the October 1st club meeting, the following individuals were nominated (volunteered) for officer duties for 2002:

President:  Jack Moore

Vice-president:  Jim Weant

Treasurer:  Melissa Magee

Newsletter editor:  John Price

These officers will be formally voted on at the November 5th meeting.

 

Ride Leaders Needed

At the November meeting, we will also need to select (recruit) a ride organizer for each of our four organized rides annual rides as follows:

Challenge to Succeed:  Sunday, April 14, 2002

Dog Days:  Sunday, July 14, 2002

Press on Regardless:  Sunday, October 13, 2002

Polar Bear:  Sunday, January 12, 2003 (or Wednesday, January 1st, 2003?)

 

Renew Your Club Dues Now!

It’s that time of the year again.  Club memberships expire every December 31st, so dues are payable by January 1st.  Don’t delay your renewal.  Pay by check or cash at our club meetings or mail it to GCC, PO Box 122, Lowell NC 28098.  $10 individual, $15 household. 

Special note for those that joined in the last half of 2001 – please check your mailing label, as it lists your expiration date.  Your membership may already be good through the end of 2002!

 

Club to Donate Bike Racks for Greenway

Gastonia has its first greenway near completion, scheduled for opening in December of this year.  A 2 ½ mile paved trail, the greenway follows corridors created by creeks and connects Lineberger Park to the recreational center on Robinwood Rd.  The greenway crosses over creeks via bridges and under 3 major roads, creating a dedicated path for running, walking, cycling, skating, etc.  At its October meeting, the Gaston County Cyclists voted to donate two bike racks for the project.  The club authorized Jim Weant to work with city planners in determining the best type to purchase, and estimates the value of the donation to be between $500 and $800.

 

 

Press On Regardless Canceled

Unfortunately, severed thunderstorms forced the cancellation of the club’s Press on Regardless bike ride, which was scheduled for Sunday, October 14, 2001.  Thanks are still owed to the ride’s organizers and supporters:  Doug Fleming, Melissa Magee, and Leanne & Stephen Dow.  Perhaps in the future we could plan a rain date, maybe unsupported, for our events.  Be ready to discuss this idea at the next club meeting on November 5th.

 

 

 

 

Race & Event Results

 

Editor’s request:  If you’ve participated in any events, runs, walks, rides, please communicate these to me at 704-867-2669, by e-mail at coastineditor@yahoo.com, or by mail to John Price 681 Niblick Dr Gastonia NC 28054.  Even if you don’t have a time to report, others like to hear about your participation in and opinions of various events.

 

 

Walk for Multiple Sclerosis

Team Gaston County Cyclists won several awards for our participation in the 2001 National Multiple Sclerosis Walk for Gaston County held this past spring. We were the top fundraising club ($645), largest club team (6), and highest pledge average for a club. Our plaque is on display at the bike shop. Thanks again to all who participated.

 

Tarheel Cyclists Fall Century, Mint Hill, NC, Sept 8, 2001

Metric century (62 miles) GCC members participating:  Charlene Angel (Husband Hal was conspicuously absent), Elizabeth Barker, Mike Harrison, Joe Price (brother of Coastin’ newsletter editor).

 

Cane Creek Mtn Bike Frenzy, Catawba Riverfront Park, September 9, 2001

In a torrential downpour, GCC cyclists Blair Craig & Scott Moss slogged through ankle deep mud to finish this event. Jack Moore also rode part of the course. The mud was so deep, the planned route had to be shortened. 

 

Lincolnton Apple Festival 5k Run, September 15, 2001

Suzanne Clemmer, 1st overall female, personal record time: 19:23  A 1st place and a PR – Congratulations!

Ronald Hutchins, 1st in age group, 19:23

 

Tour d’Leaves, Hendersonville, NC, October 20, 2001

John Price.  This is a 62 mile ride, with several shorter options, sponsored by the Hendersonville YMCA.  The routes go through Saluda and Flat Rock, and include lots of climbing with gorgeous views.  I rode an extra 3 miles tour of downtown Hendersonville (I got lost a block from the finish).  About 115 riders participated.

 

Joy Ride for Autism, Lewisville, NC, September 29, 2001

This ride was sponsored by the Winston Salem Chapter of the Autism Society of NC.  20, 40, & 60 mile routes were offered.  GCC member Nancy Dartnall rode the 20 miler.  Nice going, Nancy!


N.C. State Senior Games, Cycling Finals, Raleigh, Sunday, October 7, 2001
Nanci LaMarre:  Three bronze medals
Jack Lamarre: Two silver medals, one bronze
The events, all time trials, were as follows:
Nanci LaMarre - 1 mile - time 3:25:04 - (17.6 MPH)- 3rd place
                         - 5 km - time 12:04:60 - (15.4 MPH) -3rd place
                         - 10 Km - time 23:51: - (15.6 MPH) - 3rd place
Jack LaMarre - 1 mile - time 2:32:76 - (23.1 MPH) - 3rd place
                       - 5 Km - time 8:49:75 - (20.9 MPH - 2nd place
                       - 10 Km - time 18:15:99 - (20.4 MPH) - 2nd place
The courses included several hills and were held at the North Carolina highway patrol training grounds .

Says Jack about the Senior games, “For all those who lust after a medal; keep on riding.  Sooner or later every one in your age group starts to die off, and it gets easier. Now if only I can live to be a hundred, I just might get a couple of golds!”

Saint Michael's 5K, Gastonia, October 13, 2001

Paula Weant:  1st female - Congratulations Paula!

Rodney Sawyer, Doug Fleming, Chuck Richardson, and Jim Weant-all placed in their age groups.

 

 

Thanks To Rescue Workers

 

by John Price

 

On October 11, 2001, both the Gaston Gazette and Charlotte Observer ran articles about a battalion chief from a fire department in Conyers, Georgia named Walter Ellison.  To show and promote unity throughout our country in this time of tragedy and crisis, Ellison decided to organize the 1000 mile Firefighters Cycling for America Bike Relay to New York.  Featured in the article for Gastonia was my first cousin, cycling enthusiast Vance Price who works for the City of Gastonia Fire Department.  Vance regularly gets media attention for running in (and back out of) burning buildings, but this was the first for cycling.  Though a top level cyclist, Vance is an even better fireman.

The tragic attacks on our country have prompted an increased awareness of the heroic and usually unheralded efforts of our firefighters and rescue workers.  In response, it’s appropriate to give a special thanks to one of our own members that works for the Charlotte Fire Dept., Rodney Sawyer.                                                                            Thanks Rodney, we appreciate what you do for the community!

 

 

Upcoming Events

 

Jingle Bell Run / Walk through McAdenville - Tuesday, December 4th at 6:30pm

Our annual Jingle Bell Run / Walk will be held on Tuesday, December 5th, at 6:30pm. The rain date will be Thursday, December 6th. We'll meet at the Food Lion on Wilkinson Blvd. in Cramerton at 6:15 and start at 6:30. The distance is approximately 3 (slow) miles. McAdenville supplies the lights, we supply the noise. Come on out, join the fun and don't forget your jingle bells!

 
Polar Bear Ride, Gaston County Cyclists, January 13, 2002; 50 miles (40 option)

Forest View High School, 5545 Union Rd, Gastonia, NC

Time:  registration 12:30,  start 1:15  (see December newsletter for additional information)

 

Upcoming Running Events – North Carolina & Virginia

Nov 4 - Second Empire 5K Classic - Raleigh, NC ~ www.runc.com

Nov 10 -DowdYMCA 10K - Charlotte, NC - www.runcharlotte.com

Nov 10 – Fall Frolic 5K ~ Statesville, NC ~ 704 883 0780

Nov 10 - Reidsville YMCA 5K - Reidsville, NC ~ 336 342 3307

Nov 11 –Green & Gold 5K-Greensboro, NC- 336 282 7325

Nov 17- Spencer Mtn 10-Mile &5K~Ranlo,NC-704 865 8551

Nov 22 -Hyatt 8KTurkey Trot ~ Charlotte, NC – www.hyatturkeytrot.com(704) 554-1234 (ext. 2002).

Nov 22 - Turkey Trot 8K - Hickory, NC - 828 324 2858

Dec 2 – Arby’s Reindeer Romp 5K - Asheville, NC - www.lungnc.org

 

Upcoming Running Events - South Carolina

Nov 3 - Hilton Head Bridge Run@8:30 8k Hilton Head Mark Weisner 843/689-3440
Nov 22 - Columbia Mall Turkey Trot 8K - Columbia, SC - 803 788 8941

Dec. 15 - Kiawah Island, SC ~ Kiawah Island Marathon, Half-marathon & 5K (843) 768-2780.

 

               ! It’s The Law!

Effective 10-1-01 in North Carolina, the use of helmets became mandatory for cyclists under the age of 16 on all public roads, parks, & sidewalks.  This measure had failed on five previous attempts in the State Legislature.  A $10 fine can be assessed on the parents of children who fail to comply.  According to some estimates, %85 of cycling related head injuries can be significantly reduced or eliminated with the use of helmets.

Pound Puppies & Pounding Pavement  submitted by Paula Weant

 

I had such a wonderful day on Saturday, 10/13/01. It all started that morning when Jim and I along with several club members ran the Saint Michael's 5K run in Gastonia. I am really not a 5K racer, I do not enjoy running as fast as I can from start to finish but that morning I decided to see how fast I could go. When I got to the starting line, I counted somewhere between 40 to 2,000 participants.  There were people from all over Gaston County and I knew the competition would be tough. When the gun went off, I felt good and proceeded to run a blistering pace. There were a few children in the front of me and I was passing them one by one and I could hear them say, "who is the fast woman."  Up ahead, I could see one girl, so I set my sights on her and started concentrating. She was fast, real fast but she was young and I knew my experience out-weighed her youth. She stayed right in front of me until we got to the top of an extremely steep hill. She was having some kind of stomach distress and had to stop so I took the opportunity to make my move. As I passed her, I thought of my friend Reese and said to her “see ya, wouldn't wanna be ya."  I still had one half mile to go and I could hear the roar of the finish line crowd. When I started down the last stretch, I could hear people say, "you can catch her." Oh no, that girl is back and she is trying to pass me so there was only one thing left to do - ACCELERATE. It was exciting, I beat her by 2 seconds. Michele and Kim were at the finish line, crying tears of joy.  Rodney, Chuck, and Doug picked me up and carried me around on their shoulders. I have never seen my Jim so proud. The awards ceremony was amazing. I won this fabulous trophy, a really neat "proud to be American" long sleeve t-shirt, and (yes, there is more) a denim ball cap with a American flag on it The only sad thing is that since the race was not a sanctioned USTF race and the course was not certified, my world record time will not go in the record bocks. What a day - my first race in my 40s and my third biggest running accomplishment.

It's ironic how all my biggest running accomplishments are all associated with my dogs. In a previous article I told the story of running my first race so I could get my dog, Fuzz, and how after many wonderful years, the day after qualifying for the Boston Marathon my little Fuzz died. On Saturday, 10/13, Jim & I went to Pet Smart to look at their puppies. We were just going to look because we were not sure we were ready for another dog. One of the volunteers pointed out one especially friendly female so Jim picked up the puppy and started to play with her. She immediately started giving us puppy kisses and when we held her we knew the time was right for another dog. On Saturday, 10/13, the day I won my first race, Jim & I adopted our new puppy, Molly. Molly is a wonderful dog, full of spunk, and I know she will give us many years of love and puppy kisses and it won’t be long before she is pulling Jim & me around our neighborhood during out daily walks.

Molly came from Tri-County Animal Rescue (TCAR). They are a non-profit organization that takes care of abused and abandoned dogs. They are very caring people that provide a much needed service. If you are interested in adopting a dog, please consider one of the dogs from TCAR.

 

 

 

Did You Know?

In Gastonia, it's illegal to ride a bicycle without a city-issued registration sticker. Tampering with such a sticker is also illegal.

The problem is, according to interim Police Chief Rodney Parham, nobody can recall the last time the Police Department issued registration stickers for bikes.  In the 1970s and '80s, the city pushed to have bikes registered so they could be returned if lost or stolen.  Police recover about 200 unidentified bikes each year.

☺ Next time you see GCC member Reese Wilson out riding, take a look at his Nishiki.  It’s so old that it still has a city-issued sticker!