As the 2017 cycling season ends it is time to reflect on the club’s achievements and to look forward to the year ahead. 2017 was capped by Skylands Cycling being voted USA Cycling Division III club of the year. The award truly reflects the efforts that members put into the club, whose efforts have led us to success on many fronts.

Skylands Cycling had an excellent race season. We had two State time trial champions, as well as three National Gran Fondo champions. We were also competitive in not only our events but many around the region. We have also hosted numerous, well organized events; the ATS series, High Point Hill Climb TT, The Giro de Cielo, and the SCCX Cyclocross race.

Skylands was also successful in helping local organizations by raising over $4000 for: Rare cancers (Force Ride), InTandem Cycling, The Police Unity Tour, Epilepsy research, The Michael J Fox Foundation, Cub Pack 96, World Bicycle Relief, CycloFemme, local rescue squads, as well as a helmet drive for disadvantaged youth. These activities not only provided funds for such organizations but supplied bike lights and safety instruction to the Cub Scout Pack, four bicycles for individuals in Africa, and over twenty bicycle helmets for deserving children in our region.

Finally, Skylands sponsored numerous events for our members. The year started with spin and yoga sessions throughout the winter. Ride skills, repair, fit, and frame building clinics for members to attend and learn from. We also hosted the club picnic and Holiday party as a way to spend more time together. And most importantly Skylands member led rides, from the hammerfest Thursday "A," to the weekend "smell the roses ride," Skylands has looked to provide an avenue for all to enjoy their cycling experience at their own levels.

I would personally like to thank every one of you for your help and enthusiasm through the year. A club is only as good as its members and this club’s members have made the club a success in 2017. Please contemplate joining us again next year and at our reorganizational meeting on January 7th.

Scott

As the grip of winter comes upon us and our race season comes to an end it is time to reflect on the year we have had. First, I would be remiss if I did not take the time to recognize all of the great people who have made our club function throughout the year. Craig Blake for his leadership with the Augusta Training Series. Wayne Lumkong for being the all-around excellent guy, and running our High Point Hill Climb Time Trial and Giro del Cielo race. Mike Garland for being my point person on so many projects and for serving as Vice President. Chet DeStefano for his tireless work helping clean up our books from year's prior and being the treasurer for the club. Helene Motyka for running our Ride More - Ride Better program and helping out whenever anything is needed. Terri Grazevich. for being our go between with local rescue squads and for always being willing to jump in and help. Lee Ann Laccetti for serving as our secretary and completing many tasks for the club. Eileen Griffiths for being my go to person for any task at hand and serving as our recreational ride coordinator. Finally, for all of you for volunteering at our races, coming out for rides, and representing the club throughout the year.

In reflection, the club has had a very successful year. We have a record membership, have run numerous excellent races, have had a successful race season, and logged many miles as a club. Our recreation rider program has visited many areas of the State, ate some hotdogs, and some ice cream and has served as a community for our members. We have also gathered together at picnics and dinners enjoying each other's company and swapping cycling stories. Finally, we have donated over five thousand dollars to charities and other worthy causes throughout the year.

The club has many great events in store for 2017 so please mark your calendars and look to help run these events. We are running eight weeks of spin classes and yoga in the months of January and February. We will have the High Point Hill Climb Time Trial Saturday, April 29th. The Augusta Training Series is scheduled again for Tuesday nights in the months of April and May. Our signature event, the Giro del Cielo, is scheduled for the weekend of July 8^th and 9^th. In the fall we will also be co-hosting a cyclocross event. We will also be continuing the Ride More - Ride Better campaign and our rider reimbursement program. We are also working on increasing our racer presence through a new race program. We are currently working on a few bicycle clinics and, as always, we will be running weekly rides.

In closing, we have all come to cycling as a way to exercise, socialize, and make our lives richer. My sincere hope is that Skylands Cycling can help you obtain these benefits as a member of the club. We as a group, look to run fun, safe, and enjoyable events that allow us all to become better cyclists. Please contemplate joining in and making 2017 one of Skylands Cycling's most successful years.

Scott

Hello all,

There are a few items on the horizon as a club. Please take a moment and read through these so you are aware of what is going on.

1. Kit orders close the end of next week. Contact John Landino at Death Row Velo to place your order by the Aug. 28^th. See previous email for order form and information.
2. The club picnic is at Forest Lake Beach Saturday September 10^th. There will be a ride at noon and picnic at 2PM. Please bring a dish to share with others. Please RSVP to Doodle Survey by September 3rd. If you have already suggested you are coming you are on the survey.
3. Our cyclocross race with Team Bulldog will be held November 13^th. This is a change. Please consider helping set up on the 12^th and run the race on the 13^th. Volunteer survey will be sent out at a later date.
4. Our Holiday party is scheduled for December 9^th 2016 at the Lake Mohawk Country Club. There will be more information to follow closer to the date.
5. The club is always looking for individuals to get involved. If you have any suggestions, want to be on the board, or run an activity. Please let us know.

Thank you,

The Skylands Board

Hello Skylanders,
and welcome to the new cycling year. I am excited to be able to work with the club this year in a new capacity. First, I would like to thank Wayne and Eileen for all that they have done for the club over the years. Their leadership has helped to make this club what it is today. I would also like to thank all of the other board members and directors for their work throughout 2015. Helene, LeeAnn, Teri, and Tim have also worked hard to keep the club strong. We should also be very proud of our race coordinators, Craig Blake, Wayne Lumkong, and Jon Boub, as they as they all ran excellent events last year. Finally, I would like to thank Chet and Mike for stepping up into leadership roles for 2016. A big thanks also goes out to the dedicated volunteers who consistently show up at bicycle and celebration activities that make them run smoothly.

The club has many great events in store for 2016 so please mark your calendars and look to help run these events. We will have the High Point Hill Climb Time Trial Saturday, April 30^th. The Augusta Training Series is scheduled again for Tuesday nights in the months of April and May. Our signature event, the Giro de Cielo, is scheduled for the weekend of July 9^th and 10^th. In the fall we will also be cohosting a cyclocross event. We will also be continuing the Ride More - Ride Better campaign and our rider reimbursement program. Please remember to keep track of your miles and the events you have entered. We are currently working on a few bicycle clinics and, as always, we will be running weekly rides.

In closing, we have all come to cycling as a way to exercise, socialize, and make our lives richer. My sincere hope is that Skylands Cycling can help you obtain these benefits as a member of the club. We as a group, look to run fun, safe, and enjoyable events that allow us all to become better cyclists. Please contemplate joining in and making 2016 one of Skylands Cycling's most successful years.