This is part of our ongoing community advocacy and outreach program.  The donation even received a little local press attention and you can read more about it at the two URL’s below.

Lakeshore Press Article on Police Bike Donation
Holland Sentinel Article on Police Bike Donation

Given that the forums have seen very little activity this season, we have opted to simply shut them down until we feel confident that we can control the spam.

In the meantime, please look here for any information and updates about Club rides… weather, road conditions, etc.

Sincerely-
Randy

Macatawa Cycling Club

This ride will be for those who would like a more leisurely pace with a little more social interaction.  The pace will be 12-14 mph (closer to 12 at the beginning of the season) with a starting distance of about 16 miles.  We will stay together as a group and there will be no drops.  The route will go through scenic northwest Allegan County and we hope to have fun as well as learn how to ride safely on the roads in a group.  Just before the end of the ride, we will be stopping at Captain Sundae’s on 40th St in Holland for a treat if you wish or just some social time.  As the season progresses, we could add some mileage and maybe stop for a treat at the half way point.  The ride starts at 6:30 pm each Thursday and leaves from The Holland Christian Middle School parking lot on Ottawa St.  When coming from the north,  take the first drive south of 32nd Street.

The Holland Ride will leave the Holland Civic Center at 7:00pm.  Come and sign in at 6:30pm and be prepared to roll out at 7:00pm!

On May 20, 2009, at 7:00 PM, the Ride of Silence will begin in North America and roll across the globe. Cyclists will take to the roads in a slow, silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. Although cyclists have a legal right to Share the Road with motorists, the motoring public often isn’t aware of these rights, and sometimes not aware of the cyclists themselves. The Ride Of Silence is a free ride that asks its cyclists to ride no faster than 12 mph and remain silent during the ride. The Ride, which is held during National Bike Safety Month and Week, aims to raise the awareness of motorists, police and city officials that cyclists have a legal right to the public roadways.

In 2008, 299 registered Rides of Silence took place on May 21st, in all 50 states, in 18 countries, on 5 continents. We hope to exceed that this year. 25 were held in MI, 31 are registered this year:

Adrian, Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Bay City, Boyne City, Cadillac, Detroit, East Lansing, Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids, Downtown YMCA - Spin for Silence. Grayling, Grosse Pointe, Harbor Springs, Haslett, Holland, Houghton, Kingsford (Iron Mountain), Jackson, Lapeer (E of Flint), Lennon (W of Flint), Kalamazoo, Manistique, Menominee, Midland, Royal Oak, Saginaw, Sault St Marie, Spring Lake, Traverse City, Westland (Livonia-Dearborn), Ypsilanti

http://www.geocities.com/markpedal.geo/2009_MI_Map_Annual_RofS.pdf

All current and past members will be receiving a email announcing that our Annual Membership drive has now moved online to the membership center.  This will save the Club $$$$ in printing and postage, allowing us to redirect those dollars for area cycling events and causes that the Club supports!

Click here to visit Membership Center

MCC got some very good feedback last year and over the winter about last year’s format, so we will continue that for 2009 with minor changes.

There will be two groups leaving. Sport 1 will go around Hutchins Lake and through Fennville. Approx. 40 miles with a pace of 20-21 on average. This group leaves at 6:30. This is a RIDE. No sprinting or putting the hammer down to drop the group. The group sticks together as much as possible. Sport 1 will stop in Douglas to catch any riders that fell off while on Blue Star Highway. Also there will be a regroup on the top of 58th street/Old Allegan Road hill. Sport 1 will usually NOT go through New Richmond.

Sport 2 leaves a 6:32 pm. This shorter route turns at 126th Ave. off 62nd. 35 miles with a pace of 17-18 mph on average. This is a RIDE. No sprinting or putting the hammer down to drop the group. Sport 2 will also stop in Douglas and try and regroup at the top of Old Allegan Road hill. Sport 2 will go through New Richmond as long as road conditions permit, otherwise we will take 58th instead.

In 2008 there was another group that also started at the Aquatic Center at or before 6:30. This historically has been a faster ride than either the Sport 1 or 2, and usually includes strong pace setting, sprinting and good hill climbs. This is a great ride for anyone wishing to train hard and get faster, but it’s also a ride with plenty of time to talk with others and enjoy a good ride. This is a skilled group of riders who encourage others to join them. This earlier group is not an MCC ride. The club supports this group but is not responsible for route, distance, or schedule. The club encourages this group to form and leave earlier than 6:25 to avoid confusion of groups and congestion on city/county streets.

Also, PLEASE READ! The club has gotten credible information that the Allegan County Sheriffs Dept. is looking out for cyclists not obeying the “two abreast” rule for riding in the lane. Some groups have already been pulled over and given verbal warnings about this, MCC expects this will continue this summer.

The MNRide will ride every Monday night unless the NOAA has issued a Thunderstorm or Tornado WARNING for Ottawa or Allegan county. Otherwise all conditions are fair for riding.

Please post QUESTIONS for the MNRide on the MCC forums.

Thanks, see you May 4th 6:30 pm

Sincerely-
Holland Hundred Planning Committee