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Welcome to the Southern Bicycle League

Whether you're new to cycling or a veteran rider, membership in Atlanta's Southern Bicycle League will add to your enjoyment of cycling. Learning from other riders, experiencing the thrill of new rides, and enjoying the camaraderie are benefits that last a lifetime. You'll also have the opportunity to help other cyclists and educate the community on cycling issues by getting involved in the club's many activities, such as the Advocacy Committee or by leading a ride.

A Message from the SBL President

by Wallace McRoy

(September 2010)

Executive Committee Members Needed

I just looked at the membership numbers as of August 2010. We have 528 individual memberships and 164 family memberships for a total of 692 memberships. Assuming that each family membership represents two members, that is a minimum of 856 bicycle riders. Some of the older members keep reminding that we had over 3000 members in the 1980s and the SBL was one of the 5 largest bicycle clubs in the country. Since then we have seen steady attrition. The racing division of the SBL spun off and formed the North Atlanta Road Club (NARC). Then the city riders spun off and formed the Atlanta Bicycle Campaign (ABC). When the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA) formed, the SBL consciously chose not to get involved in off road bicycling. During the 1980s the ride calendar in FreeWheelin’ was probably the only ride calendar in Atlanta and there were no Yahoo! Groups, Facebook, Twitter, or email distribution lists to compete with it. In the 1990s, email became ubiquitous and local web sites began popping up with ride calendars by anyone who wanted to publish one. With the cost of gasoline and dependence on foreign oil becoming an issue in the 2000s, riders did not want to commute 40 miles by car, ride 40 miles on their bicycle, and then commute 40 miles home by car. Now I am not sure we are even the largest bicycling organization in the Atlanta area.

In light of these factors, I might be satisfied or even pleased with our membership numbers. Alas, .I am constantly told that the SBL is a newsletter that thinks it is a club or that the SBL is an advocacy organization. I can see why people think this, but there is a more fundamental problem – we have lost our club atmosphere. Clubs are usually formed to accomplish tasks or secure resources that individuals cannot accomplish or purchase on their own. Car clubs rent garages or sponsor racecars. Buying clubs negotiate group discounts. Soccer clubs field teams. Bicycle clubs plan trips, arrange for SAG assistance, map out new routes, order club jerseys, train together, party, etc. I enjoyed our club picnic immensely, but I am guessing we had only 35-to-40 people there. Being generous and estimating 50, that means only 6% of our membership attended.

I recognized this long before I became president, but am just now addressing it openly because I don’t think I have accomplished anything to mitigate the problem. I have said that the Executive Committee has good people on it but there is more to be done than they can tackle. This is because the SBL has too many vacancies on the Executive Committee. We have our hands full just trying to keep the daily functions from coming to a screeching halt. For 2011, we need nominees for president, touring director, public affairs, safety director, and treasurer. I have not canvassed all our current directors, but there may be some more positions that need to be filled. I have asked some of the ride leaders for our more popular rides to scour the groups for future leadership. If you are at a ride, or if someone calls you and asks you to be part of the Executive Committee next year, don’t be quick to turn them down. The SBL has the best club newsletter in the area and it serves more than just the members of the SBL. We have the best website in the area and it serves more than just the SBL. We offer ride alerts and an electronic newsletter. All of these benefits stand to be lost if we cannot find enough members to step up and contribute some sweat equity. Better yet, don’t wait to be asked. Self identify and become a part of the group that will be known for reversing the trend of monthly attrition. To nominate a member to the Executive Committee, click here, then click on the drop down menu for “Who would you like to contact?” and choose the Executive Committee member you would like to notify of a possible candidate. Please feel some sense of urgency. If there are no nominations by mid-September, there will not be enough Executive Committee members in 2011 to keep the club viable.

- Wallace, (Click here to contact me)

Upcoming Rides from the SBL and SBL Supporters

SBL Jewel

Date

Event

Web Site

Ride App

Sept. 4, 2010 MACC One Love Century

Sept. 11, 2010 Nut Roll

Sept. 18, 2010 Beautiful Backroads

Oct. 3, 2010 Ferst Annual Lewis Grizzard & Catfish Memorial Bike Ride

Oct. 15-17, 2010 Georgia BikeFest by BRAG

Nov. 12-14, 2009 North Florida Tour

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