Come to the next club meeting on Thursday, Feb 23rd, and hear Raine Fussner talk about her experience competing for the US Team (and doing very well) in the World Triathlon Championships in Abu Dhabi.  Raine says it was a truly unique experience and it will be great to hear a member of our club talking about it after  competing at such a level. In her words: "I’d love to share some of the highlights of this amazing country with you"

After the talk the club business meeting will follow.  Agenda for the meeting will be posted closer to the meeting date.

Carl Zvanut

At the club meeting last month we had a lively discussion about what the club does well and what we can change to do better.  A lot of ideas about improved marketing, types of rides, having events closer to home, more involvement with the velo, etc.  In the area of marketing and communication, the idea of changing the name of the club was brought up.  During the meeting (and after) several people tried to Google "bicycle clubs near me" and LWA was hard to find if it was there at all.

So after 70 years, it is time to give the club a bit of a facelift.  "Wheelman" is a very old (1800s) name for a bicyclist but it is not really used today.  It also projects to the outside world that we are a male only club, which we are not.  We've also been refered to as only fast riders and racers, which we certainly are not.  The board would like to keep the history associated with the name Lehigh Wheelmen Association (LWA) while projecting to the outside world that we are a friendly and inclusive bicycling group. 

To help with this, Donalee Frary has put together a survey for club members to fill out.  It's quick and painless.  We'd like to get input from the club members while we work on the legal issues around the name change.  Please click on the following link and fill out the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YTFYW2R

The board will be reviewing this input, along with the legal and logistical issues, to extablish the best path forward.  

Carl Zvanut

Asbury has closed the chruch for the day so the meeting tonight will be Zoom only.  Here's the link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9198065094

Hope to "see" you there.

Carl

Hope many of you have gotten out on some of these "warm for January" days.  As a cross country skier, I miss the snow but I know many don't share my feelings.

LWA is a great club but all good things can use improvements and changes.  Come to the meeting on Jan 25th and share your thoughts about what the club does well and ways to improve;  There will be a 45 minute session to collect comments from club members and interested cyclists.  So come out socialize a bit and contribute to help the club grow stronger and conitue to promote safe and enjoyable cycling in the Lehigh Valley.  

Go to Meetup for detials and to sign up:https://www.meetup.com/lehigh-wheelmen-association/events/sdlbbtyfccbhc/

Hope to see you there!

Carl Zvanut

LWA members bought $2000 of gift cards and donated $1000 each to Sixth Street Shelter and Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley.  This really shows the club's holiday spirit in helping those in need in these tough times.  The gifts were greatly appreciated and they will go to good use for needy families.  Thanks to Jack Helfrich for coordinating this again this year.

TRAINER AND JOULE COMPUTER,  $400. Andrew Bollinger, bcupaddler@gmail.com 

We have just updated the Content Management Software used to manage our website.  There were several components of the current website that were incompatable with the new version, including the template, which determines the appearance of content posted on the website.  So when you next visit lehighwheelmen.org, what you see will look familiar, but slightly different.  All of the normal functions should be pretty much the same.  However, if you notice anything that doesn't seem to work correctly, please contact me:  webmaster@lehighwheelmen.org .  Have a nice Thanksgiving!

Dave Drummer

LWA website manager

Let’s meet at the Bear Creek Lodge to Celebrate the 2022 Cycling Season on Sunday, 4 December 2022!

There will be a cash bar cocktail hour starting at 6 pm. At 7 pm, a buffet dinner will be served. After dinner, we'll have a brief club meeting with 2023 Officer Elections, Awards, and lots of stories. Once again, Jack & Dick will craft a wonderful slide show of our 2022 Rides including the Donut Derby.

RSVP via BikeReg.com by 21 November 2022.        More details on the LWA Meetup Calendar.

Last week a contingent of LWA members participated in a week long ride on the Natchez Trace Parkway.  At the club meeting Wednesday 10/26 Rich, with color commentary from other attendees, will do a presentation about the ride .  Please check the Meetup calandar and RSVP.

Paul Smith

LWA President 

This is Paul Smith, current LWA President, reaching out to all club members regarding club leadership opportunities and needs.  As you may know, the club by laws specify five LWA officers (President,  VP Touring, VP Racing, Secretary, Treasure) and four at large LWA Board of Directors members.  In addition to these positions there are several other critical leadership positions that the club relies on, including Membership Coordinator, Web Master, Club Picnic organizer,  and the Donut Derby event director.  This year several of these position will be open, and the club needs members to step up to fill these vacancies. 

Here are the positions we need filled for next year.

LWA President.  I am stepping down as the LWA President after serving one year.  We need someone to assume that role. I will certainly work with anyone to facilitate a smooth transition.

Member of the Board of Directors:  There are seveal current board members who's terms either expire this year or who are leaving the area.  If you are willing to serve on the Board please reach out.

Donut Derby Event Organizer:  Bert has done an outstanding job during his tenure.  He is stepping down, so we need somneone to assume that role.