September 2024
News Highlights:
It’s hard to believe summer is wrapping up, but our always spectacular fall riding season is about to kick into gear. Read on for this month’s happenings…
Calendar Updates –  Beginning September 1, 2024, the start time for all club rides will move back one hour to 9:00AM. As a reminder, please arrive at the start location with plenty of time to suit up and get your bike ready to roll out of the parking lot at the departure time.
Next Happy Hour! – Join your friends and make some new ones at the next CBC happy hour at club sponsor Random Row Brewing Company, September 19, from 4:30-6:30PM. Discounts available for club members. Check the calendar for details.
Safety Reminder – If you read just one blurb in today’s bulletin, please make it this one. Safety for everyone is first and foremost in the club’s culture. This past month has reminded us, however, that accidents can and do happen. On every ride you take, always exercise best practices to protect yourself and everyone around you. This is a universal responsibility. So please take a moment now to re-review the club’s safety policy here. On the website, the policy is linked under Club Information>Bicycling Safety. Thanks for taking care of yourself, and your friends.
Road Conditions – First, the good news. The bridge at Simmons Gap and Boonesville Road is now open for business! Also, VDOT has reopened South River Road, which was washed out in a recent storm. In the not so good news, many of you are aware of the new “RCUT” intersection VDOT constructed at the Rt 29/Fredericksburg crossing in Greene County. Unfortunately, no accommodation was made for cyclists crossing Rt 29 here. CBC is reaching out to VDOT and local authorities to encourage modifications that will allow safe crossing by cyclists. Until changes are made, CBC will not post routes that include this crossing to the group ride calendar.
Upcoming Organized Fall Events – Save the dates for some events popular with club members.  On October 12, 2024, our good friends and neighbors to our north will run the 18th annual Tour de Greene. This fully-supported event will feature three routes (21 miles, 45 miles, and a metric century), and includes lunch. Proceeds will benefit Feeding Greene, the food pantry of Greene County. As of press-time, a few free t-shirts for early enrollees remain available. Click here for Tour de Greene details. Then, the Shenandoah Valley Fall Foliage Bike Festival will be held October 18-20, 2024. Based in Staunton, this is a fully-supported 3 day festival featuring great riding, great food, volunteer opportunities, and support for local charities. Click here for more information.Â
Other upcoming fall events in the greater Virginia area include the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition’s 42d century (September 8), the Fredericksburg Cyclists’ Cannonball Century (September 28), and the Culpeper Cycling Century (October 5), which is now hosted by Blue Ridge Cyclery Events Promotions, LLC.
New Web Features – CBC is launching two experimental features to try to make the website easier and more useful for members…Â
First, we’re simplifying how members can express interest in a group ride. Starting in September, ride pages will feature a new prominent green “Sign up for ride” button. Just click the link, confirm your name, and hit send (you must be logged in to your account). The page will display the names of signees.  Note: The list of participants will be visible to members only. Encourage your friends to join the fun by adding your name to the list, and see who else has signed up. The existing comments section will remain usable by members, visitors, and guests. Â
Have some cycling-related stuff to sell? Members can now post to a classified section on the website, here. Offered items (viewable by the public) are listed here. Â
Last jerseys available – We have two remaining classic women’s medium (2) jerseys, which are 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 – Christopher OConnell, Bernie Murphy, Kasim Masinovic, Steve Kurtzer, Marit Anderson, Bill Aspinwall, and Dhon Gumban.
The CBC