SPIKE SAYS: GGGGGGGRRRRRRRRAAHHH… RENEW CLUB MEMBERSHIPS—FILL OUT FORM ON BACK OF THIS NEWSLETTER . . . OR ELSE ….! 

FORE!
By David Starrett

Sunday, November 18th, I was cycling into Whitehouse on FM 346; I was only a couple of hundred yards from the red light when a golf ball comes flying by me. 

A white pickup with three kids in it had just passed and they were looking back to see if they had hit me. As they approached the intersection the light turned RED and we all know how long that light is. 

As I was getting close to them the boy on the passenger side rolled up his window. When I stopped beside the truck I tapped on the window and I said, “Roll down the window.” Nothing happen so I tapped quite a bit harder and I yelled, “Roll down the window!” The kid did, I asked him, “Why did you throw that golf ball at me?” Being the intelligent kid he is, he answered, “I don’t know?”

At this moment I remembered a scene from a movie that I had seen years ago, Fast Times At Ridge Mont High. So I repeated the kid, I said, “I don’t know,”I paused for a couple of seconds and with more volume and excitement I repeated him again, “I DON’T KNOW!” Then I told the kid that “I don’t know” is almost as intelligent as throwing a golf ball at someone riding a bike.

I told him that I had two things to say, first, don’t ever throw anything at anyone again, that they may not be as nice as I am, second, the light is green get going you are holding up traffic. There were many things I wanted to say and do to these people until I rode up beside them and saw that were just kids and that they were scared. It was pretty obvious that he was just trying to show off to the girl in the truck and I know they were all embarrassed.

I am not sure if I handled the situation correctly and really don’t know what I would have done if the golf ball had hit me. 

So, I was just hoping to get my message across to them and not do anything that I would regret or that would embarrass me (again). Hope I did.

Watch out for golf balls, David

PREZZ SEZZ by Eric Williams

I don't know about you, but I don't make New Year's resolutions any more. It seems that I tried to trick myself a few times, but it never worked. My problems don't start with the Christmas turkey, anyway. They start with the end of daylight savings time and accelerate when the weather turns cold. So, really what I need is an off season resolution. I hereby resolve to:
1) Go to spinning class and lift weights at least 2 times a week.
2) Work out aerobically 1 other day a week.
3) Ride my bike (either mountain or road) at least 1 day a week.
4) Try not to eat like I'm starving to death.
5) Get on the scales more often to remind myself what a lousy job I'm doing of keeping my resolutions.

Irregardless of the pitfalls of winter, I'm looking forward to a good year. We have a good board of directors and a good club. Freeze Your Fanny in Longview is only a month away and our own Beauty and the Beast will be here before you know it.

Try to stay fit and stay tuned to Topica and www.tylerbicycleclub.com for the latest. Have a Happy Cycling New Year!

Eric

END OF THE YEAR

Well, the year finished with a bang followed by a flurry of uncertainty. Once again we had a good turnout for the Christmas party on December 1st at John and Carolyn Schofield´s house. The presentation of awards was made for the winners of the Rude Dog Time Trials after everyone had finished eating. We had 2 new awards for this year: the Huff & Puff Award was given to Butch Willingham for the most improved rider, and the Iron Butt Award to Gary Lesniewski for riding 3 centuries this year with 2 of them being on back to back weekends. The Schofields were the perfect hosts, as usual. Thanks, John and Carolyn, for your love, kindness, and continued support of the club. 

On the following Tuesday, TBC was invited to attend the presentation of a tandem bicycle to Allie Parrish by the Lions Club of Tyler. Allie is 9-years-old and is blind. TBC contributed a free club membership to her family. We will be looking forward to riding with Allie and her mom, Paige and sister, Megan, who will take turns as captain of the tandem. Allie´s Dad is serving in the Army in the Middle East. The presentation took place at Tanner Bikes as Greg was instrumental in this effort. We had the pleasure to witness the surprise and joy on Allie´s face. As a lot of you know, the Tyler newspaper and TV were there, thanks to the Lions Club, and Eric was asked to captain Allie around the parking lot for pictures--without a helmet. He may never live it down. I also volunteered Eric to captain Allie on her new bike at the Christmas Parade. 

Thursday night was the night of Tyler´s big parade, and TBC was represented better than we have ever been before. We had 18 club members present and kids from 6 to 69 years old. Dave Williams rode his electric bicycle, and Charlotte Sanford her electric tricycle. Allie was beaming; so, Santa didn´t need Rudolph to guide his sleigh that night. Thanks to all of you for making this the best parade we have had the pleasure of participating in. Thanks to Kayla´s son and his friend for carrying the club banner. Next year we need free stylers joining us to do stunts around our group. 

Oh, yes, the flurry of uncertainty. The new board of directors had been announced at the November meeting as Bob Hebb, Butch Willingham, Lisa Matush, Tal Glenn, and Gary Lesniewski. What each person was going to be doing was another matter. Because of her schedule, Lisa, didn´t think that she had the time to devote to the presidency, so, she gracefully declined. When this was announced at the Christmas party, I, of course, knew that Eric had hinted to me that he would be president again but only if the club members were in favor. I think that most everyone was relieved. 

The one standing rule of the club is: "You complain, you are it". No one let his opposition be known.

Thank you for a wonderful year serving as your president... I´m not planning on going anywhere, and with Eric as president, I´ll probably be his secretary, as he was mine.

Have a happy New Year! 

Galén 

New Mountain Bike Trail

Youth With A Mission, Garden Valley, is offering an exciting new mountain bike trail. For those who would be interested in becoming involved, a work day on the trail will be held on Jan. 19 followed by a ride on the 26th.

Tanner's and Simpson's will be out offering a basic and advanced bike maintenance & repair clinic. There will also be a skills improvement clinic. TBC members will be welcomed out for the work day. 

We have sent out flyers to over 100 bike shops and clubs but really have no idea how many to expect. It is planned to have the trail open on a regular basis after the 26th.

Dates & Time:
Trail work day: Jan 19th. 
Meet at 8:30 at Ken Pattullo's house at Youth With A Mission in Garden Valley. 
Call Mark or Ken for directions. 
Mark - 882-7363. Ken -882-9195 
Pizza will be provided. 
Ride: Jan 26th. 
Trail opens at 8:00. Clinics start at 10:00 a.m.

TBC Member, World Champion

Tyler Bicycle Club Member and Tyler Fire Department veteran, Don Williams, captured the Fire-Fighter Combat Challenge in the age 50 and over category.

The competition, held in Memphis, Tenn., Attracted fire fighters from around the world.

Requirements included an obstacle course of job related tasks performed against the clock and requiring team work.

YOU MIGHT BE A BIKE GEEK IF...

• You hear someone had a crash and you immediately wonder if his bike was damaged.
• You have stopped trying to explain to your spouse why you need two bikes...you just go buy another one and figure it will all work out in the divorce settlement.
• You buy crutches instead of renting.
• You convert your cars brake and gas pedals to clip less.
• You see nothing wrong with discussing the connection between hydration and urine color.
• You find your Shimano touring shoes to be more comfortable and stylish than your sneakers.
• You refuse to buy a couch because your bike takes that patch of wall space.
• You have more money invested in your bike clothes than in the rest of your combined wardrobe.
• Biker chick means black spandex, not leather, and a Trek, not a Harley.
• You see a fit, tanned, Lycra clad young woman ride by, and the first thing you check out is her bike.
• You empathize with road kill.
• Despite all that winter weight you put on, you’ll skim weight by buying titanium components.
• You use wax on your chain, not on your car.
• You yell “on your left” when passing another car.
• You point out potholes when driving your car.
• Your bike has more miles on its computer than your car’s odometer.
• You wear your riding gloves when driving your car.
• You wear bike shorts swimming.
• Your bikes are worth more than your car.
• You buy a mini-van and immediately remove the rear seats to allow your bikes to fit.
• When you move to a new area the first thing you look for is a bike shop.
• You have more bike jerseys than dress shirts.
• You take your bike along when you shop for a car, just to make sure the bike will fit inside.
• You yell at cars to “hold your line”.
• You’re comfortable bumping elbows with step vans.
• You view crashes as an opportunity to upgrade components.
• You clean your bike more often than your car.
• You install bike mounts in the back of your van or pickup.
• You’re on the Board of Directors for a bike club.
• You spend weeks during the summer spraying arrows on the side of roads.
• You and your significant other have and wear identical riding clothes.
• You can tell your wife, with a straight face, that it’s too hot to mow the lawn and then do a century ride.
• Your New Years resolution is to put more miles on your bike than on you car, and you do it.
• You know your cadence but have no idea what your speed is.
• When driving your car, you lean over the steering wheel, just like an aero bar.
• Your kids bring a rear derailleur to “show and tell”.
• Your car sits outside because your garage is full of bikes and cycling gear.
• You tailgate a semi-trailer to get the drafting effect.
• You know your Bike Nashbar customer number by heart.

Schedule of Events: (For calendar changes, see the TBC website at www.tylerbicycleclub.com)

State Park Mountain Bike Rides meet at Tyler State Park on weekends at Blackjack campground, where the trail heads are located. Easy to challenging routes available. If you are a beginner, or do not want to ride by yourself, let us know by calling one of the officers, or by e-mailing to Topica.

Saturday Breakfast Rides leave from Faulkner Park on Hwy 69 at 8:00 a.m. Ride goes to Bullard (about 8 miles). Everyone meets at Sherry’s for breakfast, then split up for longer rides.

B&B Rides leave from UT Tyler parking lot at 2:00 p.m. and include the tour routes for B&B. Routes from 12-64 miles, with 40 miles the average ride.

Wednesday Nite Rides for Mt. Bikes: Meet at Tanner’s Bikes at 5:00 PM or Tyler State Park/Blackjack campground at 6:00PM.