Another Chili Ride, Feb. 26

The popular chili-eating and cycling event, Another Chili Ride returns Feb. 26, 2012. Grab some free grub then head out for a 4, 12, or 28 mile ride. Afterward is the $5 Chili Challenge with chili from 7 Ypsilanti eateries—all proceeds going to SOS Community Services. Times, locations, and all of the other details are available on the Wheels in Motion website.

Local bike fitter, Jess Bratus, highlighted by Specialized

Local cyclist and Certified Specialized BG Fit Technician at Two Wheel Tango, Jess Bratus, recently traveled to California and worked with some of the top pro cyclists doing bike fits. You can see Jess highlighted online at Specialized's Body Geometry Fit webpage and in their YouTube video talking about Specialized-lululemon rider Ally Stacher's bike fit with Jess (below or here).

Great to see a local face doing a great job with top cyclists!

2011 Rider of the Year Awards

At the year party this past Monday hosted by Jolly Pumpkin, the 2011 Rider of the Year Awards were announced. These annual awards recognize the performances, improvement, leadership, and/or service that various members make to the club or cycling in general. The categories allow us to recognize efforts in different areas, but the awards may not be earned specifically for performances in that area. This year's award winners were:


Junior and Woman: Hana Berkooz
She traveled across the country to race probably more than any other club member with stops in Vermont, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, and Georgia before heading to eastern Quebec. This included top 20 performances at Junior Nationals and an invitation to race with a team from the Midwest at the Tour de Rimouski.

Masters: Rich Stark
All year long Rich showed his strength on the single speed when he wasn't flexing his muscles on the regular road bike. He started with a win Paris-Ancaster in March and Tailwind series winner--both in single speed. But his continued presence and guidance as a ride leader and mentor to many is always greatly appreciated.

Category 5: Tom Wilk
Showing the determination and persistence needed to improve as a bike racer, Tom began his first season of bike racing and went on to be the most prolific of the cat. 5 riders at races, moving up to a cat. 4 before the end of the season. We had some other excellent performances from our cat. 5 riders but none showed the racing desire all season long like Tom.

Category 4: Colin Hebert & Will Cawthorn
Both Colin and Will were solid performers all season long! It was hard to separate these two--only one place apart in cat. 4 rankings in the MBRA series, and both rode strong all year. Both were deserving of the award, and it's unlikely you'll see them in a cat. 4 race much longer.

Cyclocross: Rob Pulcipher
While you could debate which category Rob should have won this season, his big contribution to cycling in the area wasn't in question. He organized the first edition of the CXpreX clinic that introduced cyclocross to many in the Ann Arbor area this fall and helped a bunch of others polish their skills. His book, Dirt Road Washtenaw, was a big factor in drawing the Tour of Washtenaw race to our area.

Special mention: Dave Vannette
Dave left Ann Arbor for the greener pastures of California's Bay Area, but not before making some great contributions with finding sponsors and directing the Cone-Azalia Classic Road Race in 2011. Thanks much, Dave!

Barton Hills bicycling ordinance—single file

Barton Hills Village has enacted a new ordinance for cyclists riding through the village. Due to narrow, winding, hilly, residential, and mostly shoulderless nature of the roadways through Barton Hills, the speed limit is set at 25 mph village-wide and there are no passing for vehicles. As a result of these conditions and some dangerous incidents, the village enacted a new ordinance for bicyclists that states bicyclists need to "ride single file and as far to the right as practicable." Also, lights are required if riding before dawn or after dusk.

If you're on Country Club Rd., Barton N Dr., or otherwise riding through Barton Hills, please remember the new ordinance.

Worst Day of the Year Ride

Wheels in Motion is hosting the seventh annual Worst Day of the Year Ride. It is a free event that will take place on Sunday, January 22nd. It always promises to be a fun filled, snowy day of riding, though the snow may need a little luck this winter. Of course it's Michigan, so you never know what will happen before then!

Check out the ride details, including the distances that vary from 6-40 miles. Make sure to sign up if you're planning to go—this helps the organizers plan for the event and isn't much to ask for this great, fun, free event.

Year End Club Party and Awards

Mark your calendars for Jan. 16, 7-9pm. We'll be holding our annual club party at the Jolly Pumpkin to recognize members for their contributions and success in 2011. Enjoy some food and hang out with other club members. If you're new to the area and would like to learn more about AAVC then come out and meet some of the club members.

Cyclocross 2011 - Season wrap-up

Now that cyclocross season has drawn to a close we'd like to acknowledge all of the AAVC members who got out to race in the mud this year!

• Rich Stark finished the season in 1st place overall in the single speed category of the Tailwind CX series, placing first or second in each race he entered (despite often also doing the Master's or Elite Men's race on the same day... a good warm-up, right Rich?).
• In the same race series, Tom Barrett finished 4th place overall in the Men's B category, consistently placing in the top 10 of each race.
• Many other riders also represented the club this cyclocross season, including Alex Mettler, Lucas Wall, Javier Samayoa, Will Cawthorn, Markus Nee, David Palan, Bob Shank, Jim O'Connell and Rob Pulcipher (special mention should go to Rob for setting up the CXpreX preseason training series, too).

Thanks too to everyone who made it out to the club cookout at the second Veterans Park CX race (pictured here). Good times were had watching the races while enjoying some brats and beer (or handing them out to the racers). Alexey also came along to show off his new National Championship jersey. More photos can be seen here and here.

We hope everyone else enjoyed racing in 2011 and that you're all looking forward to another great year for AAVC in 2012!