By David F. Rooney
There’s a new kid on the cycling block. The Revelocity Cycling Club is seeking members and plans to get off to a flying start on March 24 with its first Annual General Meeting.
“Revelocity is aimed at people who want to ride,” says Pete Smillie who is heading the for-now ad hoc group. “We have about 50 people on our mailing list and I’m betting we’ll start with about 30 members.”
The group is in the process of acquiring its society status and already has a decent tentative schedule of events lined up that will likely satisfy the needs of every cyclist in the club.
“We’ll be holding a number of group rides,” Smillie said. “Five to 10 cyclists would be a good turnout for something like that.”
The tentative schedule identifies a long list of events that Revelocity members can participate in from endurance rides and time trials to casual social rides and heavy-duty hill climbs. The first organized event is an April 15 group ride along Highway 23 South from the Mount Macpherson parking lot.
Membership in the club will cost $50, but that will also get you into the Revelstoke Cycling Association, which has a somewhat different program. Membership will also earn you 10-to-15 per cent discounts at Flowt and Skookum. Revelocity members will need to join Cycling BC. That will cost $32 but that will cover insurance costs for the club, Smillie said.
As to who will join the club, he anticipated many of its first members will be from so-called “New Demographic” of 25-45-year-olds who have been moving here in the last four or five years.
“There’s a real vibe around town,” Smillie said. “There are a lot more people on bikes in general. Road cycling has really increased over the last two or three years. The club will become whatever its members want it to be.”
The club’s founding board of directors consists of Smillie, as its president, Rod Kessler, vice-president, Louis Pelland, secretary-treasurer, and directors Bruno Long, Sally Carmichael and Bob Cooper. The club has received support form the local business community. Its sponsors include Nicola McGarry, Pharmasave, Revelstoke Mountain Homes, Revelstoke Mountain resort, Selkirk-Tangiers Heliskiing, Flowt Bikes and Skis, Skookum Cycle and Ski, Revelstoke Credit Union and Mt. Begbie Brewery.
For more information please go to the Cycling BC website or telephone 250-837-3476 or send an e-mail to revelocitycc@yahoo.ca.
