July 2024

News Highlights:

Lots of fun things are happening this month, but first… a story about some amazing club members.

CBC Members Help Save a Life –  On June 9, CBC members Lesley Etheridge and Johanna Claasen were enjoying their ride on the Loudoun County Gravel Grinder, when they suddenly came upon several riders performing CPR on another cyclist who had reportedly fainted and was in cardiac arrest.  When they learned that Lesley and Johanna were trained health care professionals, the group asked them to take over the resuscitation.  At that point the middle-aged man was still pulseless and unresponsive, but after several more minutes of CPR, Lesley and Johanna were able to re-establish a heartbeat, and the person gradually started moving.  By the time the EMT service arrived, he had a normal heart rhythm, good blood pressure, and normal oxygen saturation levels.  He was taken to a Loudoun County hospital for evaluation.  According to the event organizer he did well and several days later appeared to be fine.

A “hearty” congratulations to Lesley, Johanna, and the rider’s companions who all contributed to this happy outcome.  This episode is an obvious reminder that emergencies can happen at any time and that we should be as prepared as possible to deal with them.  While Lesley and Johanna of course have had formal medical training, on the side of the road they had no equipment and only those skills that any of us can acquire with proper instruction.  The companion who initiated the CPR reportedly had basic training some years ago; clearly their efforts were very effective or the rider would not have responded so quickly and recovered so fully.

While we are incredibly fortunate to have members like Lesley and Johanna, we should all prepare to handle emergencies as best we can.  Earlier this year, CBC hosted a CPR and first-aid class for members, and will endeavor to hold another class in the future.

July Picnic – Members should have received a recent notice with details of the third annual member summer ride/picnic, which will be held rain or shine July 13 at Maybelle’s Market in Dyke.   All members and their families are welcome!  Three ride options are available.  43 mile (B Pace) and 35 mile (C Pace) rides will start at 8:00am.  A 21 mile (D Pace) route for casual riders will start at 8:30am.  Lunch (free to members and their families) including sandwich wraps, fruit/cheese trays, salads, cookies and drinks will follow at 11:30A.  Check the calendar for all ride details.  So that we can order the appropriate amount of food, if you plan to attend please RSVP no later than July 6 by sending a note to info@charlottesvillebicycleclub.org with the number of adults and children.

Safety Device Promotion – Thanks to Shawn Tevendale of club sponsor Blue Ridge Cyclery, CBC members and other area road cyclists have the opportunity to enhance their awareness of approaching cars with a generous 30% discount on any current Garmin Varia radar device as a part of a one-time bulk sale.  Varia radars pair with compatible navigation devices and smartphones, and provide audible and visual alerts of vehicles approaching from behind.  A CBC member calls his Varia a “next level tool” that rarely confuses other cyclists with approaching cars, and provides detailed info on where cars are as they near without having to look back.  Devices come radar-only, or paired with lights and/or cameras.  Order in-store or online at blueridgecyclery.com.  Discount Code: GARMINTEAM30.  Sale closes July 12.  Minimum order of 25 total units required.  Sales and promotions excluded.  And please say thank you to Shawn!

(Another) Bridge Out – Another month goes by, another area bridge closes for repair.  The highly used bridge on Boonesville Road (at Simmons Gap Road) in northern Albemarle County is scheduled to be closed until August 20.  No temporary pedestrian or cyclist bridge will be installed.

Extra jerseys available – If you missed out on our latest jersey sale this spring, or you joined the club after our jersey sale, we have the following extra short sleeved jerseys available for purchase: classic women’s medium (2), classic men’s medium (1), classic men’s large (1).  Jerseys cost $65 and can be paid for electronically, or with check or cash.  Please contact us if you would like to buy or try on a jersey.

Please welcome this month’s newest club members – Emily Kokenge, Jeffrey Wendelken, John Zmuda, Boela Gerber, Mike McDermott, Russ Mitchell, Daniel Mintz, and Randall Lemoine.