November-09-2006

Monthly Minutes of the Circus City Cyclists

Date: Thursday, November 9, 2006

President Miles Straly called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m.

Attendance: Miles Straly, Sharon Johnston, Rich Holler, and John Miller.

Communication: A thank you was received from Mike Kuepper as our club sponsored a mile-marker for the Rotary club’s “Cole Porter Classic Run”. All proceeds will go toward the Nickel Plate Trail.

Secretary’s Report (John): Minutes were read from October meeting.

Treasurer’s Report: As Zac was absent with good reason as he was supporting the cause, Mile’s reported that our last treasury amount that he knew was $3,456.48.

Election of Officers: Rich Holler made the motion and John Miller seconded that the officers be as nominated as they were all running unopposed. They are:

President: Miles Straly

Vice-President: Sharon Johnston

Secretary: John Miller

Treasurer: Zac See

Old Business

Miami County Trail: Miles talked to historical society/museum people. They are in favor of working with us for the MiCoT. They are capable of printing nice brochures with maps such as the Miami County Historic Driving Tour. The chamber of commerce is without a president so our meeting will have to wait until someone is in that position.

Nickel Plate Trail: Update from Miles that $32,000 final payoff from first grant has been received so the loan amount was paid off. The next grant will be early spring, ’07.

Fall-Winter Ride Activities: NITE RIDE- Nickel Illuminates The Evening

Saturday, November 25 at 6:00 PM meet at the Nickel Plate Trailhead at Wallick Road for a night ride along the trail. Bring helmets and lights and dress for the weather. This will be promoted to the general public so pass the word to the not so die hard cyclists you know. Plans are to go out to EAT afterwards.

POLAR BEAR RIDE: Sponsored by the Wandering Wheels club from Galveston .

Monday, January 1, 2007. For more info, there is a link at the website at the Breakaway club from Kokomo .

Ride Routes: We have not received any maps for future use. If you would like to map out a favorite ride, please bring copies in to Breakaway or get to John Miller for distribution.

Club rides: Will continue at the same times and places. Saturday at 8:00 AM at the shop, Sunday at 2:00 PM at Owens’ Marathon in Mexico and Thursday at 4:00 PM at Miami ’s Fort. Club miles will accumulate through the end of the year. Note that our website lists the start time of the Thursday ride at 5:00 PM but it has been moved up to 4:00 PM due to the shortening daylight.

Fat Tire Ride: It finally happened! Rich, Wally, Sharon and husband Bill initiated mountain bikes for the first time along with trail guide Zac and myself at the Boys’ Club in Winona Lake on November 4. We plan to venture on the path less paved again in the future and will keep you informed. Miles and John are interested in riding on the yet-to-be-paved sections of the Nickel Plate from 500S on south on a mountain bike so let us know if you are up for it.

Old, Old Business: Old Bill Click has retired from the fire department. Wish him well and encourage him that he is just now reaching his cycling prime.

New Business:

There is a petition at Breakaway Bike Shop by the Indiana Bicycle Coalition to the BMV for a special plate to benefit cycling. Please sign up if you are interested. We let our membership in the Indiana Bicycle Coalition lapse by common consensus.

There will be no meeting in December. Next meeting is Thursday, January 11 at 7:30 PM, perhaps in the new community meeting center at First Christian Church.

Upcoming Events: NITE RIDE Nov 25 and Polar Bear ride in Kokomo on January 1, 2007 (see above).

2007 Rides: Rich and Sharon suggested a poker run bike ride next year with prizes and dinner.

Happy Thanksgiving!

John Miller

Secretary