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. See you there in KVC colours!
At this year's AGM there were some members who were willing to give their time to become Board or Executive members. However, not everyone can do this. Yet people still wish to contribute to the success of the club. So what's a person to do?
There are still many roles to play in the KVC. The most obvious is that of tour/ride leader. Look at the club's schedule. We have so many tours to lead. You can volunteer to lead an existing ride (if the current leader declines). It's not a difficult task: prepare maps (most are already done), have ride lists and membership forms on hand, and keep track of participants. You can count on lots of support from your Tour Director and other riders, too. You can also come up with your own new ride, too. Just figure out a route and a name, and you have a new ride. You can get help with mapping and rest stops, too.
What else can you do? We have a tasks that have gone unnoticed. You can help distribute KVC brochures to various locales in the city. In addition to bicycle shops, we put them in other retail outlets and local library branches. We also give them out at the spring Recreation and Leisure Showcase. We're always looking for more members to staff our booth at this event. Do you know a retailer who could give a discount to KVC members? Help us by asking on behalf of the club.
Do you have a social nature? We need a social committee, and would welcome your assistance. We also need a committee dealing with recruitment and membership.
How good is your English? Are you an aspiring writer? We need someone to take over the reins at the "Velo Notes Editorial Office". Your editor may not be around town much longer. This would also give someone the chance to do a good redesign of the VN format. Can't be an editor? We always need people to contribute to Velo Notes. Ride reports, coming club event notices, Velo Quotes, Velo Tips, schedule notices - all these need to be written and nobody says you can't do it. Get your name in electronic print! Get your fifteen minutes of fame!
The KVC also takes part in City events during the cycling season. This past year we were marshals at the K&P Trail Day, patrolling the trail to see if anyone needed assistance. We also acted as cycling escorts for the Great Waterfront Trail Adventure as nearly two-hundred cyclists passed through Kingston on their way from Niagara to the Quebec border.
This club has been open to new ideas and welcomed help when offered. All it needs is the participation of active club members to guarantee a thriving KVC that will keep going another thirty-six years.
- Paul Rappell
News November 20, 2008The Kingston Velo Club's Annual general Meeting at Aunt Lucy's on Friday, October 26, resulted in changes to the club's Board of Directors, and left one post vacant.
There will be some new faces on the Board. Brian Ferguson will be joining current Directors Steve Bonisteel, David Short, and Margaret Wild. Maureen Beamish will be working with Tour Director Hal Cain on tour schedule planmning, while new member Joan MacLeod will become the club's new Secretary, replacing Paul Rappell.
Diane Davies has stepped down as club President. She has served the KVC in an Executive capacity for many years and takes a well-deserved break. However, a replacement was not forthcoming at the AGM, and we need to find a new President. We look forward to having a member volunteer. The new Board now has the task of confirming a new President.
The AGM featured much more than elections. Week-Long Tour riders Maureen Beamish and Rosemary Lysaght gave a limerick-filled slide show of the Finger Lakes tour, which seemed to have more than its share of high spirits. Reports on the club's finances and touring schedule were given by Linda Reid and Hal Cain. The club, quite financiallly healthy, had over sixty tours this year, with varying levels of attendance.
Awards were presented to first-time tour leaders and to members who volunteered their services at other events, such as the Leisure Showcase, the K&P Trail Day, and the Waterfront Trail Tour. Certificates of appreciation went to Bruce Bailey, Maureen Beamish, Graham Bell, Hal Cain, Marilyn Freeman, Sheila Howe, Adrienne Leach, Rosemary Lysaght, and Cary Weitzman.
The Dean Memorial trophy, the trophy for the member who contributed most to KVC activities, was this year awarded to Hal Cain, both for his work on the club's tour schedule, and for his involvement in cycling in Kingston. Hal is also President of the cycling education organization Cycle Kingston, and works to promote responsible cycling in various ways. He works on the Kingston Coalition for Active Transportation, advising on cycling issues.
After dinner and prior to the AGM a draw took place. Prizes included two pairs of panniers, winter gloves, and a KVC jersey.
The meeting took place at Aunt Lucy's, whose staff were very accommodating. Dining and meeting took place in two separate rooms, and provision was made for use of a projection system. The meeting itself was open and positive, and members left with satisfied minds and stomachs.
- Paul Rappell
News Sept. 4, 2008Now in its fourth year, the Cataraqui Trail Bike 'n' Hike will take place on Saturday, Sept. 27. Conveniently, the KVC has no ride scheduled for that day. This trail ride features lunch at the community hall at Chaffey's Locks. There are several starting points: Highway 15, Perth Road, Portland, and Sydenham. Cat Trail volunteers will be at the start locations and will collect your donations.
For details, go to the Cataraqui Trail website: www.rideau-info.com/cattrail/.
News Sept. 4, 2008The KVC has once again retired a series of rides for the season. The Wolfe Island Bi-Weekly ran its last ride last Wednesday, with a shorter version due to the deteriorated state of the back roads on the island. All that truck traffic from windmill construction is taking its toll.
The WIb-W rides attracted a good number of new members and guests this season. Thanks to Sandra Beninger and David Short for taking on ride leader responsibilities this year. We look forward to having more KVC members lead this ride next year.
The Ride 'n' Dine series, every other Wednesday, attracted a large contingent of cyclists and was a hit from the first pedal stroke. Rosemary Lysaght is to be congratulated for coming up with this gem of a cycling idea. It ties in with the motto of many cyclists: "Ride to eat; eat to ride." Thanks to Rosemary Lysaght and Margaret Wild for leading these rides.
Extended TourAugust 3-4 — the Civic Holiday weekend — Kingston Velo Club members will be cycling through the heart of the Laurentian region in Quebec. The tour will explore "Le P'Tit Train du Nord", the longest linear park in Canada, on a three-day rail-trail adventure. Daily distances will be around 70 km.
Some KVC members wished to camp and others wished to go the more civilized way of a credit card voyage via B&B's. The P'Tit Train allows both groups to experience their adventure their way at the same time.
Read more about this trip in the Extended Tours section.
News June 19, 2008On Tuesday, July 8, the Waterfront Trail cycle tour will arrive in Kingston. This celebration of the Waterfront Trail, which stretches from Niagara to the Quebec border, will settle in Kingston for the night and depart eastward the next day.
The Kingston Velo Club is partnering with the Cycle Kingston and the City of Kingston to welcome the cyclists who have come so far to visit us. So, we need club members to volunteer.
We will be marshaling the entry route on the 8th, particularly from Collins Bay to Bayridge, and through the Lemoine Point area. The Waterfront Trail cyclists will be camping at Lake Ontario Park.
On the morning of the 9th, beginning at 8:15 a.m. we will be escorting the riders eastward through Kingston, to see them safely on their way along Highway 2. Again, we need volunteers (especially early risers!) to ride the route as marshals.
The KVC is currently investigating the possibility of free meals for KVC riders, particularly for dinner on the 8th.
This is another opportunity to show off the KVC to the community! Plan to be a part of this historic event. You can begin by notifying one of your KVC executive members at , , or . See you there in KVC colours!
Once again the KVC will be serving breakfast to hungry cycle-commuters on Clean Air Day, Wednesday, 4 June. This has become a KVC tradition — at least since 2003. We've staffed the Roll-in Breakfast at the corner or Princess and Clergy, from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. and had a great time doing it.
The location tends to be quite busy with cyclists heading to work or school. This year we hope to have a good number of KVC members out helping. If you are interested in lending a hand, call Paul Rappell at 613-544-8954 (noon to nine) to let us know what you can do. We can use people to staff the location, purchase food and drinks, or donate food or cash for the event. It's some fun, and often gets press coverage. You can cycle to breakfast on Clean Air Day.
News March 23, 2008KVC President Diane Davies will lead the traditional KVC season opener — The President's Ride — on Sunday, April 13.
Look for details to be announced soon via the Road & Recreational Touring Calendar.
(Next ride on the calendar will be the "Howe Island Hop," scheduled for Sunday, April 27.
News March 23, 2008The KVC will again staff a booth at the City of Kingston's Spring/Summer Leisure Showcase, where the club recruits new members and greets existing friends eager to renew their memberships for another year.
Drop by the KVC booth at the at Portsmouth Olympic Harbour Friday, March 28, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., or Saturday, March 29, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
News March 23, 2008A meeting of interested parties gathered at Portsmouth Olympic Harbour on March 13 to hammer out a full season of KVC tours. Hal Cain convened the gathering, which included Maureen Beamish, Sandra Beninger, Gord Cater, Noel Coward, Diane Davies, John Fee, Brian Ferguson, Adrienne Leach, Brad Lloyd, Rosemary Lysaght, Derek Paul, Paul Rappell, David Short, and Margaret Wild. Some in attendance volunteered to staff the KVC's booth at the Kingston Recreation and Leisure Showcase March 28-29.
A full schedule was assembled, with lots of familiar rides and some new outings. We start on Sunday, April 13, with the traditional President's Ride, and end on Saturday, October 25, the day after the Annual General Meeting, with the standard season-closer, the Annual General Ride. In between we will explore the Kingston area and even venture into New York State for the Thousand Islands tour and a week-long expedition to the Finger Lakes. There's also a proposed tour on the "p'tit train du nord" in the Laurentians.
While there are still a few slots to fill (got any suggestions?), we have what looks like another great cycling season coming soon!
E-mail Tour Director Hal Cain at to volunteer to lead a ride.