News Blog

The online payment processing system changed from PayPal to another system run by Affinipay on April 1, 2020.  This effects all on-line payments for memberships, events, or purchases. This is being done to avoid a 20% surcharge being imposed by our website provider, Wild Apricot.  Most people should not notice much difference.  You will no longer get an email from PayPal.  If you had your own PayPal account you used to pay your membership you will no longer be able to do that.

(This is the full obituary.  An abbreviated version will appear in the Sunday, Sept 15th , D&C.)  It will be helpful for planning if you would RSVP to the Rememberance Celebration.)

Richard L. DeSarra

ROCHESTER – Friday, September 6, 2019, at age 80, following a battle with cancer. He is survived by his brother, Donald, and a large community of friends he considered family.

Born and raised in Rochester, Richard attended Ben Franklin High School (’57) and graduated from RIT (’64). He worked at Burroughs, Marine Midland Bank, RG&E, and Wegmans, among others. His love of bicycling led him to open Freewheelers sporting goods shop (specializing in bicycles) on Culver Road, which he ran with his business partner from 1971 to 1987.

Richard passionately advocated for anything that encouraged bicycling for transportation or recreation. His advocacy led to significant changes to Monroe County’s bicycling environment including bike racks on all RTS buses, bike lanes, and so much more. He was a member of the Rochester Bicycling Club and served in various board positions. He co-founded the Rochester Cycling Alliance, served on the board of the New York Bicycle Coalition and the Advisory Council of Reconnect Rochester, and worked with town and city planners from around Monroe County.

Richard also volunteered for a battered women’s shelter, the American Red Cross disaster response team, and the MS Society, serving on the steering committee of the MS Finger Lakes Bike Tour from 1991 to 2014.

Richard loved books, movies, and music, especially jazz and opera. He joined RIT’s Osher Institute where he enjoyed many courses and led bike rides and some courses on the works of female movie directors.

During his final days, Richard expressed his heartfelt appreciation for all his friends.

Private burial. Friends are invited to attend a Remembrance Party at Lakefront Lodge, Webster Park, 1120 Lake Rd. (corner of Holt Rd.) on Sunday, Sept. 22, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Please consider bringing a snack or dessert to share. RSVPs helpful: RochesterBicyclingClub.org

Donations in his memory may be made to R Community Bikes (PO Box 26471, Rochester NY 14626) or the National MS Society (1000 Elmwood Ave., Suite 900, Rochester, NY 14620).

• The Rochester Tour de Cure is seeking 9 volunteers to serve as SAG drivers for this year’s event on June 8. SAG drivers are crucial to the safety and enjoyment of our participants.  We appreciate your time  and talent and can offer our deepest gratitude (and you’ll get lots of that the day of event, too!), a volunteer shirt, Food Truck dinner coupon & a beer after  your shift, and a $50 gift card to Park Ave Bike Shop.

  SAG vehicle driver requirements include:

  • Valid NYS Driver License
  • Willingness to drive a 4--hour shift on June 8 in a designated zone
  • Willingness to pull off the road to answer calls or texts from the Command Center and respond to cyclists in need OR have a HAM radio operator in the truck with you (please let me know your preference)
  • Ability to assist cyclists with minor mechanical issues (tire-changing clinics are available at Towpath Bike) minor first aid or transport for them and their bike to a rest stop (we provide all supplies)
  • Willingness to help remove some route signs on your drive back (afternoons)
  • Able to attend volunteer meeting Monday, May 20 at Webster Recreation Center 6:15 to 7 p.m.*
  • Able to pick up vehicle from Van Bortel Ford on Friday, June 7, drive it to the event June 8 and then return it to Van Bortel after your shift.

• If this all sounds like something you are willing and able to do please Kerrie Merz know at kmerz@diabetes.org and go to this link and fill in the form, selecting “SAG Driver” from the list of jobs. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1HeJTqNiMVWx5ZgD94kU_Lt0Rd2338IbWIVC1RxlXmJ8/viewform?edit_requested=true

*if you can’t make the volunteer meeting we can meet another time

Let's get this party started! ....the 2019 cycling season.  It's been a long winter.

Hope to see you on Saturday April 6th. Bring A DISH TO SHARE - we always end up with a nice variety.

The location is Dolomite Lodge, at Jackson Rd and Atlantic Ave, in Penfield Town Hall Campus. 

For those who plan to do the ride, it starts at 2:00 PM. See Ride Details: Walworth Wanderer. 

The lodge will be open, so you can go in and socialize after the ride.  Otherwise please be there at 5:00 PM. We'll aim to eat at 5:30, followed by the Awards Presentation.

Spring Cleaning? If you'd like to unload jerseys and/or cycling gear, mark the items with your name and a price, and it may sell during the gathering!  We'll have the usual "5 and 10" table.

Ride leader packets will be available for pickup.

The riding season is approaching and the club clinics are ready. This year will see some changes and retain some similarities too. The same cast of characters will lead the clinics with one possible exception.

Our venue has moved to Penfield, their Recreational Center on Baird Rd has offered to host our clinics and also handle the registration process. Only the Spring dates are listed and available for registration for now, later dates will be added soon.

The schedule is posted on the club’s website at:

https://rbc.wildapricot.org/Clinics

The Penfield Recreational Center’s website at:

https://webtrac.penfield.org

Go to their Educational page and enter search words “bike club” to bring up the clinic offers. Each clinic requires an attendee registration. Only the Flat Tire and the Safety Classes have a class limit. This is shared between the club membership and the general public. I suggest sign-ing up early to insure attendance for these two clinics.

Last year, RBC had an outstanding first year in the Rochester Tour de Cure and ended up being one of the leading teams.

Registration is now open for the next one - it's June 8, 2019. We would love to have you join us!

There is a ride for everyone - routes of 3, 15, 25, 40, 62 and 100 miles. Pick your mileage. Grab a friend to ride with. Choose your pace. (It’s NOT a race!) Riders on all routes receive the same fabulous rest stop and SAG support.

Here are a few reasons to join NOW:

-- Training opportunities! Midtown Athletic club will be offering indoor training in their cycling studio on weekends, from January through mid-April, free of charge for all registered riders. Tryon Bike will also be offering indoor training. Stay tuned for details.

Register now and save.

There are more than 30 million people in the US who live with diabetes every day. Funds raised through this event are used for research, preventive education, advocacy, parent support, summer camp and more. By joining and riding, you can make a difference!

The Rochester Tour de Cure was the #1 Tour in the country again in 2018, with over 2,000 participants. The 2019 Tour promises to be as successful and a huge source of pride for cyclists in our region. Let’s show up and present a strong RBC presence!

If you're interested being on the RBC team, go to RBC Tour de Cure Team and click on “Join Our Team.”

Team captains Todd Calvin and Bonnie MacLean are eager to grow the team, answer your questions and provide support.  Please contact them with any questions.

Bonnie: bonniesmaclean@gmail.com
Todd: tcalvin001@hotmail.com

Safety tips:

• Don’t overlap wheels
  
• Don’t pass on right
  
• Announce presence when behind/beside others
  
• Don’t lurk in blind-spots
  
• No sudden speed/line changes
  
• Look beyond rider in front of you
  
• Don’t call “clear” at intersections
  
• Regroup *beyond* intersections
  
• Pull fully off the road when pausing (maintenance, adjustments, discussions, etc.)
  
• Get a Road ID, or carry equivalent info on person/bike
  
• Beware of “first hill” slowdowns/breakups in groups (especially during startup)
  
• *Gently* find your place as startup crowd thins out
  
• Cool your jets! - Not a race, so don’t tempt/escalate others
  
• Limit chatter/tinkering  - Give *full* attention to situation around you!
  
• Be predictable to all (riders, traffic and pedestrians). No sudden moves!
  

Steve Riegel, Ride Chair

Have an interest in learing about and trying cylcocross? Then these clinics are for you.

This year, for the first time, RBC will have a Tour de Cure Team! You’re invited to join us to represent Rochester Bicycling Club at the largest cycling event in our area.  (The Rochester Tour de Cure is the #1 Tour in the country, with over 2,000 participants.)

The date is Saturday June 9, 2018.  For more information, our team page is diabetes.org/rbc  .

- It's a great cause, and by participating, you can make a difference.  There are more than 30 million people in the US who live with diabetes every day. Funds raised are used for research, education, advocacy, parent support, summer camp and more. 

- There is a ride for everyone - routes of 3, 15, 25, 40, 62 and 100 miles.  Choose your pace. It's not a race.

- To help you prepare, there are training rides each week. Now that the snow has stopped, the outdoor ones are starting!  (RBC rides are great training, but there is another whole set of rides that bring folks from many local teams together.)

- At this time, the RBC team is among the top 10 teams in our category, and....we have a shot at being the "Rookie Team of the Year!"  The team is growing...let's do this!

Never been part of the Tour? Here is a great video to get a sense of what Tour Day looks like:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hj1v5IcTBWA&t=146s

If interested or you have questions, please contact team captains Todd Calvin and Bonnie MacLean.

Todd: tcalvin001@hotmail.com
Bonnie: bonniesmaclean@gmail.com