Everyone,

My wife have a small house in Kent, CT (about 80 miles north of Manhattan, depending upon your starting point) where we spend most of our weekends and the cycling is some of the best I've seen this close to NYC--generally smooth roads, little traffic and rather pretty rolling (and sometimes hilly) terrain. If anyone else in the NYCC spends time in the area, look me up! I'm hoping to find some "A" cyclists interested in weekend riding.

David Regen/646-283-7634

From the Club mailbag. Anyone interested in participating?

Peter Storey, Secretary

"To whom it may concern,

My Citibike membership is up at the end of the month. Over the last 12 months, I've used it enough to say it's not a waste of money. But I've also had enough frustration that I'm not sure it's worth it.

My main use of it is quite predictable. 90% of my use are commute to work. It's only about 20 blocks. But since the stations at 9/10th ave. typically got all of their bikes taken by 8:30, I had to walk all the way to Broadway to get a bike reliably. So in practice, it's only a ~15 block ride. 

I was a volunteer marshal for last Sunday's Brooklyn Queens Tour. One of my responsibilites is to help riders with mechanical issues. I'm sad to say that I have failed on this point; but it wasn't all my fault. A couple had a rear flat and didn't have a spare tube. I woud have offered mine but our sizes didn't match; 700 X 35 vs. 16 X 1.5. I pumped the tube and could see that the hole was right by the valve; can't patch. This ride didn't have a SAG(with supplies). Had to tell them to take the nearest subway. So this got me thinking. Is there a way to repair a puncture next to the valve? Maybe not as a permanent fix; but at least to get to the nearest shop or home? I've looked it up on the net and found some info.

Please join us at our inaugural NYCC Paragon Sports pre-July 4th Social. This event will also serve as the "kick-off" party for our July 4th NYCC special weekend trip (see details from a link, on the home page's banner). Come, share a drink and a nosh with your cycling clubmates and meet new ones. This is how life-long friendships and relationships can begin! Food and drinks will be provided by our friends at Paragon Sports. In addtion, at this event only, our NYCC members who attend, will be given 20% off of all fully-priced items and 10% off bikes and electronic equipment. Please see the details below and on the home page's banner for this event, with a "read more" link to the event page.

Dear Fellow Members, Dear Friends;

It is with profound sadness I report this heartbreaking news - our beloved George Arcarola has passed away.  It is my understanding while riding his bike home from work Wednesday night, a massive heart attack consumed George and took him from us.

George’s family has asked we respect their privacy in this time of grief – please kindly refrain from calling them or otherwise reaching out.  I will share with you further details as they become available.

It is with a heavy heart and a helpless sense of rage at an unjust universe that I report a tragic loss to our NYCC family:

George Arcarola passed away unexpectedly last night.

George was (among other things) a former New York Cycle Club President, former B-SIG Leader, former A-SIG Captain and subsequent A-SIG Leader, official NYCC Grand Poobah (really!), ride leader, election moderator, discourse contributor, and merry prankster, as well as loving husband, father, and someone I’m personally thrilled to have been able to call a friend.

Wet roads and rain. See you next week. 

Try to read Jason Gay's article in today's WSJ about the guy who plowed into 9 cyclists in Kalamazoo and managed to kill 5 of them. Gay, who is usually hilariously funny, is respectful in this article as befits the serious nature of the topic.

It’s times like this I have the best job in the New York Cycle Club. 

We had the most amazing Newcomers ride this past Sunday.  Rides galore, new people all around, veterans of the club.  Chris Hartmann – he put together the team that made this day so great.  The lunch, the rides, Chris connected all the dots that created a spectacular event. Gabby Warshawer and Cheryl Laiken handled the picnic.  Food was great, so much variety, so good!  Cheryl, I think she’s been a member of the club something like 1 ½ years – already, she’s the most popular girl in the club. I’m asking her to plan my next birthday party!