January 2024

Happy New Year, and Happy Anniversary!  Your Charlottesville Bicycle Club has now been a tax-exempt, member-supported organization for two years!  And what a wonderful second year it has been.  We scheduled over 280 group rides, met at happy hours, picnics and potlucks, and enjoyed the company of friends.  To our more than 200 members, thank you for joining us on this journey!

Looking toward the new year, we hope to build on our success by focusing on three key areas:

–  Culture. We want to promote a club culture of fun, safe, recreational cycling.  We will encourage all members to ride as a cohesive, organized group that looks after each other and engages in best cycling practices for the benefit of all.

–  Safety.  The club is rolling out a Group Ride Policy and Safety Requirements applicable to all club rides.  You will review them at sign-up and renewal, and they will be prominently displayed on the website.  Please give the policy and safety rules a careful read when they are released.

–  Voice.  We intend to advocate for the best interests of cyclists so that we can all enjoy safe access to this area’s beautiful scenery and resources. 

Have a comment or idea for what we can do better?  We’d love to hear from you.

We can’t do this without your continued support, so please renew your annual memberships.  Again, thank you.

Frays Mill Bridge Out – According to VDOT, the bridge across Marsh Run on Frays Mill Road (at the bottom of “the Pyrenees”) will close January 2, 2024 for almost the entire year.  It is unknown whether a temporary pedestrian bridge will be installed.  If not, the bridge closure will affect multiple routes that originate from Spring Hill Baptist Church (as well as from other start points).  The detour around the bridge for rides from Spring Hill (Spring Hill Road-Cedar Grove Road-Advance Mills, or the reverse) adds 6 miles.  We are reviewing options for Spring Hill rides this coming year.

Next Happy Hour –  On January 25, from 4:30-6:30pm, join us for the next CBC Happy Hour at one of our sponsors — Random Row Brewing Company in Cville.  Discounts available for members.  See the calendar for details.

Gravel Rides – We have more gravel rides in January.  Come out and join us!

Winter Potluck, Save the Date – In what has quickly become a club tradition, CBC will host a winter potluck on Sunday, February 18, 2024, at 5 PM at the Baldwin Center in North Garden.  See the calendar for details. 

February CPR Class, Save the Date – CBC is hosting a FREE CPR class for club members.  Frank Lawson, who teaches classes in anatomy and physiology, sports medicine, and medical terminology at Western Albemarle High School (WAHS), will teach a basic class on CPR, AED and basic first aid.  The class will be Wednesday, February 7, 2024 from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM.  If you have been present during a crash and been hesitant/unsure what to do, come to this class and become more informed. This will be hands on; there are multiple mannequins available. The class is limited to 12.  CLICK HERE to sign up for the class.  Since the class size is limited, please only sign up if you plan to attend.  And let us know if your schedule changes and you cannot attend so that we can still fill that spot.  We will confirm your space for the class after you sign up.

Please welcome this month’s newest club members: Arya Abdi, Gregory Ford, and Mara Shapiro.

The CBC