PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE - October 2009

Well, I am finally getting around to writing as President of the HCBTC.

I am so glad the weather is starting to get cooler. I am so ready for the fall weather to cycle.

We have a lot going on the rest of 2009, before we start planning and looking forward to 2010 (which is right around the corner).

• November 7th we are gearing up for our 10th Annual Fredericksburg Fall Foliage Frolic. Things are really coming together. We have the routes picked out, 2 rest stops, sags, and delicious lunch planned for the riders. Tell your cycling friends to join us for a beautiful ride in the lovely Texas Hill Country. All information for registering and the ride is on the HCBTC website at www.hcbtc.org. You can pay by PayPal or send in your registration by mail. If you are interested in volunteering you can let me know, (210)422-8039 or Ethel Pedraza, (210)414-8559.
  
  
• November 13-15th, is the Goliad “Camp and Ride” weekend in historical Goliad, TX. We will be staying at the Goliad State Park. Please let me know if you are going. We have plenty of camping spaces. RV spaces and shelter spaces are limited. More information on this event to come.
  
  
• November 28th, is the November Member meeting. This will be the HCBTC Thanksgiving pot luck. The club will provide the turkeys and if everyone can bring items to share. This will be our last meeting for the year. Place & Time: The Braun Oaks Clubhouse, 1055 Tezel Rd at 6:30 PM.
  
  
• Dec 5th is the Mission to Mission ride. We will be signing up as the HCBTC team. Registration as a team deadline is November 23rd, $20.00. We have joined as a team for the past few years to support this cause. You can go to http://www.teamcure.org/missiontomission.htm to print off your registration form.
  
  
• Christmas Light ride. This is a short bike ride in the Windcrest area to see some of the Christmas Lights and decorations. There will be a bike decorating contest. Dinner at Shoney’s after the ride. More information and date to come regarding this ride.
  
  
• Dec 20th, mark your calendar for the HCBTC Christmas Party. It will be at the Roosevelt Park Pavilion. The cost will be $5.00 a person. Plan for a fun night. We will have a DJ, so plan on bringing your dancing shoes.

We had Debbie Allen speak to our club in September about the stray dog situation. She is with Animal Care Services. She wants us to call her anytime we have a dog problem on our rides. Her phone # is (210)219-6282 and e-mail, debbie.allen@sanantonio.gov ACS rode on a Monday night’s ride. There was an article in Oct 16th paper.

I know all of you know have heard of the loss of Greg and Alex Bruehler from a bicycle/automobile accident the 1st of this month. We want to say our sympathy and prayers are with their families. We are all trying to take a stand to get legislation passed. I just had a fellow co-worker tell me he had a car pass him so close and knocked him over. The car stopped and the boys in the car just laughed. He said this would not happen in Colorado. They have laws that protect the rider and they are enforced. So as Texans we have our job cut out for us to get things changed.

Keep watching the website for ride and event information. Remember to ride safely and to obey all traffic signs.

Happy Cycling!!!

Amanda McCoy
2009 President
Hill Country Bicycle Touring Club
bikentx50@yahoo.com