January 2025
News Highlights:
Happy New Year, and Happy Anniversary! Your Charlottesville Bicycle Club has now been a tax-exempt, member-supported organization for three years! And what a wonderful third year it has been… We scheduled over 275 group rides, met at happy hours, picnics and potlucks, and enjoyed the company of friends. CBC launched regular (and popular!) coffee rides. We raised funds for Charlottesville Community Bikes. And critically, the club successfully advocated for road safety for the benefit of all area cyclists. To our nearly 200 members, thank you for joining us on this journey!
Looking toward the new year, we hope to keep the positive momentum going:
— First and foremost, safety will continue to be paramount for the club. We encourage all members to ride as a cohesive, organized group that looks after each other and engages in best cycling practices.
— Second, we will be advocates for the interests of area riders so that we can all enjoy safe access to this area’s beautiful scenery.
— And, we’ll continue to expand the club’s offerings to members. Off-season gravel rides will be scheduled weekly. Due to the popularity of the weekday coffee rides, we’re adding weekend coffee rides as well. Also, a bit later this year, we’ll announce the club’s first “weekend away” event. Stay tuned for details!
Have a comment or idea for what we can do better? We’d love to hear from you.
The club couldn’t do what it does without your continued support, so please renew your annual memberships. Again, thank you.
CBC Board Additions – CBC is pleased to announce Mark Stanis and Carol Wisinski have joined the club’s board. Both Mark and Carol bring passion for what we do and will be strong advocates for the club and its members. Thank you both!
Stillhouse Creek Road Is Still Closed – The bridge over Stillhouse Creek in Albemarle County south of Batesville is closed after VDOT crews discovered damage to one of the abutments that support the bridge deck and superstructure. Stillhouse Creek Road, which climbs up to Crown Orchard, is included on a number of CBC routes. VDOT has published the anticipated completion date of that work to be January 31. We have added comments to the club routes affected by this closure.
Bike Club Book Club – Are you interested in joining a book club of fellow bike club members that would meet every one or two months? If so, please join Dominique on Sunday, January 12 at 3 pm at the Wegmans dining area (100 Wegmans Way, Charlottesville) for another “interest” meeting. We plan on picking a book and and the first meeting location and date. Come join us for a post ride wind down and fun discussion.
Gravel and Coffee Rides – Check out the calendar for the newly planned weekly gravel rides and monthly weekend coffee rides. Come out and join the dusty or caffeinated fun!
Happy Hour – CBC’s next happy hour is scheduled for January 16, 2025, from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm, at club sponsor Random Row Brewing Company. Discounts available for club members. Check the calendar for details.
Winter Potluck, Save the Date – In what has become a fan favorite club tradition, CBC will host its third annual winter potluck on Sunday, February 1, 2025, at 5 PM at the Baldwin Center in North Garden. See the calendar for details.
RideWithGPS Holiday Giveback Challenge – Each year in December, RWGPS runs a Holiday Gift Campaign, which enables anyone to purchase 15 months of a Premium subscription for the price of 12 months. It is the only deal they run on subscriptions, and they are adding a new option this year. Each time that anyone makes a purchase of such a gift subscription using the link below, RWGPS will give your Charlottesville Bicycle Club 10% of that purchase! This match will expire on January 2, 2025. Thanks to those of you that have used the link to renew or purchase a premium subscription. If you have not yet done this, we thank you in advance for considering a renewal that will send money to the club from RWGPS.
https://ridewithgps.com/giveback/charlottesville_bicycle_club
Blue Ridge Ride to Defeat ALS – On June 7, 2025, Blue Ridge Ride to Defeat ALS is running its fourth charity ride to raise awareness about ALS and the search for a cure. This year’s event promises three beautiful road routes in Albemarle County (15 miles, 40 miles, and 62 miles), along with a challenging 20-mile gravel ride. This full-day event will offer fun for the whole family, with lunch, live music, and a kids’ zone. Act early to take advantage of the tiered registration structure, starting at $40 in January/February. Registration and information about the event are here: 2025 Ride to Defeat ALS. Volunteer opportunities are available. Southwest Mountain Vineyards will host the festivities.
Charlottesville Community Bikes – Charlottesville Community Bikes (CCB) recently announced an upcoming leadership transition. Starting in March 2025, Executive Director Lauren Riegl will step into a new role focused on fundraising and partnerships. According to CCB, this strategic shift will strengthen the organization’s community connections, enhance long-term sustainability, and welcome a new leader to guide the organization into its next chapter.
CCB’s Board of Directors has initiated the search for a new Executive Director to lead the organization into its next phase of growth. Board President TJ Angioletti expressed the board’s gratitude, saying, “We are immensely grateful for Lauren’s extraordinary leadership and her decision to remain an integral part of the team. While this transition is bittersweet, it positions CCB for continued growth and collaboration.”
Charlottesville Community Bikes is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting environmentally sustainable transportation, empowering individuals through bike access, and advocating for equitable mobility solutions. For more information about CCB’s programs and leadership transition, visit www.cbikes.org.
Do you have an idea for another club social event? Is there some activity or local event you would like to do with some of your fellow club members? We would love to add something like this to the club calendar (with enough notice that we can add it to our monthly newsletter). Contact us with the details.
Last jersey available – We only have one remaining classic women’s medium jersey, which is available for $65 and can be paid for electronically, or with check or cash. Please contact us if you would like to buy or try one on.
Please welcome this month’s newest club members: Paul Webster, John Dodson, and John Brown.
The CBC