March 2023 HBC President’s Letter

“Welcome bright Springtime what joy now is ours”

– Anton G. Rubinstein

Warm Greetings to the HBC Community!  As a long and snowy winter continues, remember that warm weather bicycling will soon return.  To help us prepare for the upcoming biking season, here is a summary of recent club activity and some of our many plans for the near future.

HBC Jersey Store

Check the club’s home page at https://hiawathabike.org/ for a link to order the new club jersey.  Jersey team members will present samples at the upcoming Smart Cycling, described below.

Tour D’Amico

From 2000 until 2019, HBC in partnership with D’Amico restaurants sponsored the annual Fourth of July ride named Tour D’Amico, also known as TDA.  

There will be no TDA in 2023.  HBC turns our eyes toward 2024 when this classic community bicycling event may return.

Smart Cycling on Friday March 24

Join your HBC friends at the Golden Valley Davanni’s for a fun and educational event.  We’ll meet in the party room inside the restaurant.  

GV Davanni’s is located just north of Highway 55 on Winnetka Avenue North.  If you are planning on dinner, Davanni’s requests that you order ahead of time online. Find online ordering information through this web address:   https://www.davannis.com/

We’ll kick off Smart Cycling with a social hour from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm.  At 7:00 the two part program starts:

• Our Ride with GPS expert Greg Swanson will review the features of the Ride with GPS application which is available to all HBC members.
• Club President Alan Wichman will share cycling safety tips.  Safety is priority number one for our club.

April Birthday Bash on Friday April 7

Celebrate new members and April birthdays with your HBC friends at the April edition of our monthly Birthday Bash.

The event starts at 7:30 pm.  Edie Kalweit will provide a nice cake for all to enjoy following dinner.

Often, one of our members posts a Winter Walk or a ride before the Bash.  Watch your email for an announcement. 

Ride Leader Refresher

The annual ride leader refresher will be conducted this spring.  During the refresher ride leaders will review content that will help them conduct safe and enjoyable rides.

If you would like to become a ride leader, join the Class of 2023 by attending the Refresher.

Our Ride Leader team lead, Lisa Soldat, will provide additional information in the coming weeks.

Spring Kickoff Event in May

Planning for a series of all club rides is underway.   A fabulous picnic will follow the rides.  Stay tuned for further information.

Independence Day Rides

Planning for another series of all club rides is also underway.   A fabulous July picnic will follow the rides.  Stay tuned for further information.

Tour of Saints

Interested in a weekend out-of-town biking getaway?  If so, Dawn Wilson and John Hardy are planning an event for July 8^th and 9^th.

On Saturday July 8^th, riders will head out on a 20-40 mile afternoon ride on the Lake Wobegon Trail starting in St Joseph, MN. 

On Sunday, July 9^th, riders have the opportunity to ride one of Bike MN’s Tour of Saints rides.  Riding the Tour of Saints is considered an Ambassador Ride for HBC members, meaning you’ll receive club mileage credit when you pre-register on HBC’s website.  You must also register for the Tour of Saints ride and pay their entry fee, which will be $45 if you sign up early.  Registration opens in May:  bikemn.org

Check with Dawn and John for details.   

As we slowly enter bright springtime 2023, I wish you all the best.   I am grateful to all the volunteers who help HBC move forward.  

Be safe, be well and all the best,

Alan Wichman, HBC President