Season Retrospective
By Roy "Bikedude" Burnham
As March came this year, the hopes and aspirations of cyclist grew like the hours
of each successive spring day. An early start to this years Daylight Savings time
combined with a mild winter jump-started many a cyclist season. No doubt goals where
set for many of the scheduled COP events of TOSRV, GOBA and the recently resurrected
CFC. Others set goals such as Paris-Brest-Paris, Calvin's Challenge, Ride Across
Indiana and other events around the world.
Testimony to the depth and quality of the COP Bicycling program is apparent when you look at the member attendance of events such as PBP and RAIN. The dedication of the ride leader community provides a supportive environment for our members to explore the limits of their abilities and have a good time. Rides such as the Tuesday Canal Winchester and Saturday Roving Ride Series provide excellent care and feeding for the cyclist building base or the casual rider out to stretch their legs.
Riders by in large did a commendable job at events across the globe. Team Rossi completed an unusually cool RAIN this year while Bob Waddell, David Miller, Paul Rozelle and others participated in PBP. Still others such as Eve Hush, Donna Bush and Jeff Fennell completed various 200k, 300k and 400k events. There are simply too many accomplishments to list here but the common denominators have always been fun and COP.
By in large, the weekday rides have ended and the daylight hours have begun their inevitable decline as we approach winter. For those year round cyclist, Bob Waddell will continue the Winter Cycling Series while Rick Nolan of Cyclist Connection and I will be running a new weekday Spin class to break up the winter doldrums. Steve Barbour will start the Northwest Winter ride again and this October will see the Fall MTB series at Alum Creek for those who would like to venture off road. A pair of Brevets (200k and 300k) held by Ohio Randonneurs will close out a successful 2007 randonneuring year.
Congratulations to everyone on another banner year for the COP Bicycling program. Keep the wheels turning and see you out there!