I will check the weather at 7:30 to determine if we will ride the adventure ride tomorrow.

The Meandering Ride will depart from Whitehouse this Saturday, Apr 1st at 9:00a (meet up just across from Cycle Werks). We have selected one of my favorite 27-mile loops for our first ride of 2023. Looking at the forecast it'll be a little bit of a battle heading out, but that return will be SUPER SWEET!! Be sure to bring hydration and a snack (or two) for our mid-ride break. The average pace is targeted at 13-15mph for the overall route. Hope you can join us (Kenneth Shaw & I) for our OPENING DAY!!

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39090630

This Saturday April 1st is the last Winter Warriors ride and the First Adventure ride of the year. we will depart from the Ernest brewing on S Detroit Ave at 9 am. The ride is a 33 mile scavenger hunt through Maumee and the surrounding communities. Due to the weather a good chunk of it will be on bike paths and the pace will be determined by you, last year we had 3 groups with different speeds. Following the ride we will head into Ernest so we can crown the Winter Warrior and enjoy some or our favorite beverages. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42368422

Important message to all TAB members,

        With the start of TAB’s warm-weather riding season quickly approaching, the club still needs ride leaders for some of its rides. If you, hardy TAB members, want these rides to continue, and I know you do, some of you will have to step up and volunteer to lead. They cannot continue without a leader.

        You may be thinking that you don’t want to commit to being at a ride every single week. That is understandable. However, a great way to avoid having to show up every week is to pair up with a fellow rider. Then you can take turns in leading. You can work out a schedule that works for both of you. If you have something else going on in life, your co-leader can fill in for you—and vice versa!

        Perhaps you have a riding companion you know would be good at leading a ride. Please have that person contact me…or send me that person’s name.

        If you want these rides to continue, and I know you do, please step up and volunteer to be a ride leader. Yes, there is some responsibility, but it’s not that bad, and kind of fun!

        Below is the list of rides still needing a leader. I hope to hear from you soon.

Chuck Nicewonder         TAB Ride Captain

• 1.    Sunday Breakfast Ride from Wildwood Preserve Metropark
• 2.   Sunday 1:00 Getaway Ride  16 – 18 mph pace
• 3.    Monday Bedford Ride 16 – 18 mph pace
• 4.    Tuesday Old 24 Breakaway from Whitehouse
• 5.    Windsday Ride from Timberstone Reasonable and Reliable
• 6.  Group AND Fast and Reliable group.
• 7.  Thursday 5fer Spicy Plus
• 8.   Thursday 5fer GLR

Just a friendly reminder that the TAB March Board meeting is This Thursday, March 2nd at 6:30. We meet in the back room at Ernest Brew works on S Detroit Ave.

The Seat Post

Welcome to the Seat Post!! This is/was the TAB newsletter for many years and in an effort to better communicate with our members we are returning to this format. The team will work to keep it short, sweet and packed with important information for the membership - things like exciting news, board meeting minutes,  financial status of the club, future plans and upcoming events. 

THIS WEEK’S

TOP STORIES

TAB year end Banquet and Award Ceremony

Put the date on your calendar: the TAB Banquet is Sunday February 26!! This year we are changing things up a bit to liven the event up a little.  First we are having more of an open house type event at the Waterside Community Club House at 7062 Longwater Dr, Maumee Oh.  The open house starts at 3 PM, then we will conduct the award ceremony at 5 pm and will conclude the event at 7 pm.   This will allow people to come and go as they need or want.  We are serving appetizers and all kinds of finger food as well as having a chili cook off.  Our guest speaker will be from The Right Direction a non profit organization that helps children connect with cycling through clinics, skill camps, demonstrations and donations.  Come hear their story and see the amazing things that they do for our community.

Ride Leader Spotlight

Each month we are going to highlight one of our Ride Leaders. The goal is to help you become better acquainted with the people who volunteer week after week to provide safe opportunities to ride.  So I think it is fitting to start with Ride Leader/ TAB Ride Leader Captain Chuck Nicewander.  

Chuck leads the Tuesday night Speedtrap ride in Elmore, Oh.  The route is named after a local restaurant in Woodville that we ride past.  Chuck does an amazing job of organizing the groups, managing the different experience levels as well as identifying new riders.  No-one is ever left out on the speedtrap.  Chuck also does an amazing job recapping the rides with pictures as well as his play by play each week. Lastly after the speedtrap ride is over he helps organize social activities and food!!  In Chuck's own words the Speedtrap is the “Best ride in Ottawa county!”  Yes Chuck it is and you are a HUGE part of that!!  

TAB 2022 Budget

In an effort to help the members understand what your dues go towards our Treasurer created this visual.  It breaks our expenses down into 3 categories.  Operating expenses is 79% or the cost to operate TAB (Insurance, MARR, Web Page, Bank Fees, and storage), Membership support is 10% (Banquet, Ride Leaders, and Picnics) and Donations 11% (NORTA, Metroparks, HOOVES and The Right Direction) helps support the cycling community in northwest Ohio. 

 

Why be a TAB Member?

Last month we highlighted the membership perks to remind everyone why joining TAB is beneficial to you. I would also like to add another benefit that is important and most people don’t think about.  It’s helping to raise awareness to all things cycling related in northwest Ohio.  Road infrastructure, bike paths, parks and even business think about cycling more because we have dedicated clubs.  Most recently we were asked by the Toledo Blade to give them information regarding the new bike that is being built along the Anthony Wayne Trail.  The community thinks about cycling more than you know because of your club.  Help support us so we can continue to help grow safe cycling infrastructure in our communities. 

• 10% off merchandise at most of the area bicycle shops

• Discounts for Mad Anthony River Rally registration

• Rider Insurance

• You support the Metroparks, HOOVES, The Right Direction and other organizations through our philanthropic donations 

• Daily organized and safe rides

• Annual Banquet 

• Summer Picnic

• Ability to Purchase Club only merchandise

• Social activities with like minded individuals

• Miles of Smiles

Quick Sprints

Are you enjoying the Winter Warrior Ride Series? There is plenty of winter left, come ride outside with us this winter. There are opportunities to win prizes each month, come see what all the excitement is about.

Are you interested in volunteering?  Maybe helping out as a ride leader? It doesn’t matter if you can do it once or for the season we need your help. Reach out to us and we can talk about how you can help keep TAB rolling in 2023. 

READ MORE ON OUR WEBSITE

Just a friendly reminder that in 2023 the TAB board meetings will be held on the first Thursday of the month. This Thursday Feb 2nd the meeting will be at Ernest brewing on S Detroit Ave at 6:30. As always you are welcome to come and see what we are doing and help us continue to improve and grow our club!!

The Spoke Life Bicycle Shops are having a Winter Sale that starts on Jan 25th and runs through Feb 4th.  They are however opening up the sale to members of the local bicycle clubs a day early. So Tuesday January 24th you will be able to shop the sale a day before the general public.

The January TAB Board meeting is this Thursday the 5th. It will be held at the Ernest brewing on S Detroit Ave at 6:30 pm.

We look forward to seeing you there.

The Seat Post

Welcome to the Seat Post!! This is/was the TAB newsletter for many years and in an effort to better communicate with our members we are returning to this format. The team will work to keep it short, sweet and packed with important information for the membership - things like exciting news, board meeting minutes,  financial status of the club, future plans and upcoming events. 

THIS WEEK’S

TOP STORIES

Ride Season Recap

2022 was another amazing season of cycling, we had lots of great weather and miles and miles of smiles as we rode together safely.  There were no major injuries or crashes during the 2022 season and we are all thankful for that.  

We were able to continue all but one of the amazing group rides (Sunday Breakfast Ride) because of the great volunteer ride leaders.  They help organize each ride, make sure the route is safe and deliver important information to the riders.  Ride leaders WE THANK YOU for keeping the rides alive!! TAB wants to continue to grow the number of rides and ride options available to everyone, but we can’t do it without ride leaders. If anyone is interested in leading or learning about how to lead a group please let us know. 

28th annual MARR

Despite having a little rain we had another incredible MARR!! Over 300 riders participated in the 100, 62, or 32 mile road ride or the 32 mile gravel ride along the Maumee river.  This year there was also an option to ride the route timed with the MARR Fondo!!! Many cyclists tested themselves against the clock to see how fast they could safely navigate the course. When the weary riders returned they were greeted by friendly faces, food, music, and beverages.  Many folks told us how much they enjoyed the beer garden after the ride!!!  

Events like this don’t happen without strong leadership and directors. 2022 MARR Directors Linda Posadny and Debbie Tassie brought together the volunteers who make it all possible!! It also takes sponsors, without them MARR wouldn’t be the same. Ernest Brew Works, Kingston Healthcare, Price Pro, Keystone Press Inc, Amanda Holman Design, Spoke Life Cycle, Cyclewerks and Mountain Man Sports all contributed to making the day an amazing experience. 

 We are already working on the 2023 edition to continue to make it the best ride in Northwest Ohio! If you are interested in volunteering or being a sponsor please reach out to us. 

TAB 2022 Budget

We want to share the club's finances with the membership.  We hope this will help you understand where your money goes and how it helps the community. 

TAB Income			TAB Disbursements
Membership Dues	$4,000		Website	$2,052
Banquet	$900		Storage Unit	$685
			Liability Insurance	$3,150
Total	$4,900		D&O Insurance	$875
			Bank Fees	$900
			League of American Bicyclist	$100
			Metroparks	$500
			Ohio Bicycle Federation	$100
			Norta	$250
			Banquet	$2,300
			Member Picnic and Ride Leader meeting	$400
			Total	$11,312
			Grand Total	($6,412)

2023 Membership Dues Increase

I think we all understand that the US is still recovering from the devastating financial impacts of COVID 19 and that as a country we are in the midst of a difficult economic time.  The cost of everything has increased significantly and insurance rates have not been insulated from these changes. Due to an unexpected - and substantial - rate hike in the club's liability insurance we had to make the difficult decision to increase dues.  This insurance protects the club, officers, and ride leaders in the event that there is a claim of negligence.

The membership dues are now $30 for an individual rider, $45 for a Family membership. You can see all the changes and renew your membership on the TAB webpage https://toledoareabicyclists.org/

The question is what do you get for your membership?

• 10% off merchandise at most of the area bicycle shops

• Discounts for Mad Anthony River Rally registration

• Rider Insurance

• You support the Metroparks, HOOVES, The Right Direction and other organizations through our philanthropic donations 

• Daily organized and safe rides

• Annual Banquet 

• Summer Picnic

• Ability to Purchase Club only merchandise

• Social activities with like minded individuals

• Miles of Smiles

Quick Sprints

Are you enjoying the Winter Warrior Ride Series? Come ride outside with us this winter.

Do you want to start 2023 off on the right foot? How about riding the Bean Ride on Jan 1st with TAB!! 

TAB Banquet is tentatively scheduled for February 19, 2023 - Save the Date!!

Keep an eye out for the 2022 Rider awards emails to go out soon!!

Interested in helping lead the club? Board nominations are coming up, throw your name in the hat for a 2023 TAB Board position

READ MORE ON OUR WEBSITE