Freewheel’n
Early
Fall, 2005
The Spoke’n Word, newsletter for the South Jersey Wheelmen, may be in trouble. With Judy’s decision to step down as the
newsletter editor, the club’s dwindling membership, and the cost to produce the
newsletter; appears the time may be right to eliminate. I have enjoyed these over the many years as
a member of this club. Also enjoyed
dealing with each of the editors that chose to devote so much of their time so
we all could have this publication. I
have also enjoyed submitting Freewheel’n over these years and hope you found my
ramblings interesting and informative.
With or without the newsletter, plan to continue Freewheel’n. These are currently being placed in the
message board section of the club’s website.
There you can find the most recent releases. These will also continue to be found on my website. There you have access to the current and all
past releases at the web address shown below.
Now for some little known factoids…the Eddy Merckx MXM
bicycle was selected number 6 in the Esquire Ten. These are items that have the power to enhance the quality of
your life by 10%. For those of you that
do not have one of these around, this gem has one hundred layers of
aero-space-grade carbon fiber and kevlar.
Only one is built per day and this will set you back $8,500. You can see this bike on page 85 of the
August issue…that same issue has the Five-Minute Guide: Models. This contained little know information on
eight beauties including Karolina Kurkova, Alessandra Ambrosio and Ana Beatriz
Barros. Now for Karolina who is
featured in Victoria Secret commercials, I found out why there is no hope for
us regular Joes to date her…at a charity auction, two guys paid $35,000 each
for a single night out with her! That
could have bought eight MXM’s. Ah…what
the hell, let me have my checkbook and the deed to the house. Go to http://www.esquire.com/.
Once again I wonder where the time has gone. Seems I just wrote that, “The holidays are
behind us and a new cycling season beckons.’
But that was written last January!
Now another holiday season is ahead as we prepare to check this year’s
accomplishments. At that time I
indicated a new commitment to volunteering and requested others to join
me. Proud to say that commitment has
been fulfilled. Happy that many of you were able to join me on my weekday and
weekend rides, including the Peach Blossom, Fort Mercer and the Just Tour’n
series. Also participated in a charity
ride and raised funds for Project H.O.M.E.
And of course, providing these Freewheel’n articles. Now look forward to being with many of you
in Gettysburg.
I need to comment on the events with hurricane
Katrina. The full text along with
photos can be found on my website by clicking on Quibbles. RePete finds the inactions by our elected
officials to be deplorable. The
hurricane was predicated well in advance, information of the impacts such an
event would have on New Orleans had been studied and published, and a new agency
of Homeland Security had been created. Despite all of these and much more, people died and survivors were
abandoned for days without help or support.
In some cases their existence were not even known. If this had been an act of terrorism, the
consequences could have been unbelievable in terms of dead, injured and
property damage. Now go to my website for my full comments. You then can also access my email to send
your thoughts.
Let me thank the officers and all that helped the
club. I have been fortunate to still be
able to ride and be with you. I am
saddened by the loss of so many…some have simply decided not to participate,
others that have passed-away.
Now for the inspirational message that comes from Lance Armstrong, “If you get a second chance in life at something, you’ve got to go all the way.”
This will be the last Freewheel’n of the year that
provides my ramblings. Next month will
release the holiday message. I will
publish a special thought that is in line with the upcoming season. Please email me if anyone has anything
special. Then look for the return of
these editorials early next year.
Meanwhile, you can always visit my website for updates to Quibbles and
other sections. Until then…
Safe Cycling,