Hard to believe that this edition bears #250 since we started sending VCB eNews in late 2003 to a group of less than 100 cyclists in the municipality.  Thanks to the opportunities to promote VCB provided by the media, thanks to the presence of our membership at public events, social networking through the internet and specially your support, the subscribers got larger and expanded its distribution to the mainland, the country and most continents of the world. 

We feel that VCB eNews is an important communication tool of the club to disseminate information to membership and other subscribers; it serves to bond all readers together into a family unit sharing the same goals,  keeps everyone informed of all planned activities and functions and builds interest in the club and in its overall mission to promote active and healthy living in a sustainable environment.  

Although we feel VCB eNews is essential to successful club's operations and social marketing this timeline maybe a good time to do a pause and reflect on what the next 250 VCB eNews should be,  i.e. volunteer(s) responsible, format, content, distribution, etc.   We would appreciate to receive your comments in order to provide you the readers with an attractive and awaited publication everyone wants to read from the first to the last line, not necessarily in that order... :-)   A publication that informs, announces, reminds, advises, instructs, advertises and communicates and more importantly that readers want to participate in the elaboration and content. 

Please don't forward your comments to me.   Forward your comments to our "unbiased" president Andrée at:   acrepeau(at)ns.sympatico.ca

Thank You!

Mark your calendar and gather some friends for the POTLUCK DINNER  on Saturday, January 16, 6pm to 9pm at the Dobson Yacht Club,  Westmount Road.

The price of admission is a potluck donation.  If your family name starts with the letter A to Z(except M) bring a main course and family names starting with M bring deserts.

To keep the party green please bring your own plates and cutlery. 

There will be a cash bar and we’ll supply the tea and coffee.  Try out the virtual bike trainer from Framework Cycle and Fitness--the WII of the cycling world, or challenge a friend or spouse.   

We have great door prizes like an annual pass to Cape Breton Highlands National Park courtesy Parks Canada.

Questions??? Call Andrée at 539-9521

So bring some friends and make a night of it!   

News Flash !!!!! It’s a competition!!!!!      We’ve already received 8 nominations for the Velo Awards.  Don’t be left out take, a break from your holiday chores, think cycling, think summer and then nominate someone for a Velo Award in one or both of the following categories. 

Most motivating  Member:  Is there someone in the club that got you out cycling, maybe someone who phoned you to ride, someone who challenged you to a time trial,  or someone who beat you at a time trial and made you train harder, or someone who packed a nummy picnic lunch for a morning tour.  We’ve all been there so take a minute to nominate that person.  Send the name and reason to Andrée Crépeau at acrepeau@ns.sympatico.ca

Commuter of the Year:  Nominate the person that for you is the ultimate commuter.   It could be the diehard that cycles everyday rain or shine, or the co-worker that started commuting and got a few more to try it out, or maybe it’s the fashionnista that didn’t let cycling stand in the way of her fashion statement.  Forward your nomination to Andrée Crépeau at acrepeau@ns.sympatico.ca 

The awards will be handed out at the Velo Cape Breton Potluck Dinner.  See you there!

Sincere congratulation to all 15 who made it through the FINISH line.   They are:  Jimmy Campbell, Billy Devoe, Kirby Garnier, Vic Gouthro, Lori Henley, Chris MacInnis. Gerard Moss, Audrey Murphey, Gerard Olszowiec, Bill Planetta, Karen White-Smith, Ivan Leblanc, Lynne Pascoe, Lester Wood, Shelley Porter, Ted Champion, Jacques Cote. 

Looking back it was lots of fun to get out for the little half-hour of riding for the week and sometimes coming back after one, two or even 5 hours of cycling all rejuvenated and looking forward to the next ride.     

It's never too late to do the right thing as they say...  The first step and the harder is going through the door for the first time.  After that, the rest is history.  Our friend Gerry Carrière of Winnipeg who rode a couple of stretches with the gang on The Nova Scotia Tip-To-Tip Tour in July maybe 55 years old now but he hasn’t slowed down much.  He still continues to cycle to work every day.  In fact this will be the 11th complete year of cycling to work (not missing a day) for Gerry and he is very proud of this accomplishment.  It is a significant feat considering that he cycles a good portion of that time in Winnipeg’s famous bone-chilling winter temperatures.  

Ready for the 2010 52WBC?    Yessss...  Great!  

Email Shelley at:  blomidonrose(at)yahoo.ca

In Cape Breton people use their bikes...   http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2009/12/29/ns-liquor-store.html   

:-)   :-)  

My name is Suzanne Delaney.  I am writing this letter on behalf of Childhood Cancer Victims of the world. I was born and raised in Cheticamp. I am currently a resident of the county of Antigonish for the past 15 years. I am a Teacher, Educational Administrator and Personal Trainer here at home. I have dedicated my career to promoting healthy active living for people of all ages through my role in the public education system, fitness industry, and as a volunteer in youth organized sports. I was recently selected as the sole Nova Scotian National Rider for the Sears National Kids’ Cancer Ride 2010. 

It is a known fact that at any given time, cancer holds 10,000 children at its grip. These children and their families are robbed of the laughter and joy that the rest of us often take for granted. In Canada, cancer is the leading cause of non-accidental death in kids. Although progress is continually being made and survival rates of childhood cancer are increasing, some of our little survivors continue to experience on-going long term impacts from their treatments. The Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation organizes events such as the National Kids Cancer Ride in the hope that events such as this one will help fund programs that improve the lives of children living with cancer, as well as, those recovering from the physical and emotional scars that come along with being a survivor. You can learn more about the Foundation at the following site: www.coasttocoastagainstcancer.org 

On September 9th, 2010, I will be joining 35 other selected cyclists from all over Canada in their pursuit against childhood cancer by taking part in the 2010 Sears National Kids Cancer Ride. This event is recognized as one of the largest and most ambitious charity cycling events for children in the world. I will begin my 15-day journey in Vancouver and will cycle over 7000km across the country arriving in Halifax. I am personally committed to raising a minimum of $25 000 towards this important cause. Every dollar I raise as part of this event goes directly to fund research, education, and survivorship programs in Nova Scotia through the Children’s IWK hospital. (In addition to the 25 000, I will be personally contributing a total of $6000 for the privilege of being a participants in the 2010 Ride.) 

Sincerely yours, 

Suzanne Delaney Email: suzanne.delaney(at)hotmail.com Phone: 863-5684