All members of the Milepost Zero Bicycle Club are invited to a Hamburger Social & Century meeting at the Colmans’.  Spouses & Kids are welcome as well.

When: Monday, June 15th, 2009 at 6:00pm

               (grills on at 6:00, eating by 6:30pm or so).   (Century discussion & MPZ mtg. over by 8:30 max).

Where: 105 Tiffany Drive, Waynesboro, Va.

Menu:  Burgers & fixings, Soft Drinks/Tea, Chips, (& some of those fake burgers or something               like that for the veggie lovers)

Why? Because the 2009 Tour de Valley Century is in SERIOUS JEOPARDY if YOU don’t come!              See letter below from Harry to understand why!

PLEASE RSVP to Jim Leake, MPZ president 2009

Very Important MPZ SOCIAL/CENTURY MEETING    Monday June 15th

June 4, 2009

Dear Jim,

When I announced at last year’s Century (our 20th) that I would NOT be the director of the century this year, I sincerely meant it.  But then we started the year with a typical low attendance MPZ business meeting and I fell right back into the same old trap.  I said “I’ll do it” because nobody else stepped forward.  Bicycling is important to me, and I think MILEPOST ZERO BICYCLE CLUB is important to bicycling in this area.  And for sure I think another successful Tour de Valley Century is important to the club financially and for our good reputation.  But I’m just not so sure any more that it really is important to enough of our club members to make it worthwhile.

Maybe it is my fault as director of 17 of our 20 successful centuries that it has begun to look so easy that most members just take it for granted.  In the first few years, a large percentage of our members helped and it was easy THAT way.   But in the last few years I have found myself loaded with way too many of the simple tasks that are necessary to having a great event.   And what’s worse, I have ended up piling way too many tasks on the very few members who always do help.   If this Century ride is important to our club then more members need to take their small port and handle it.   There are many simple pieces that any member could take and handle without affecting their time or their riding.  I’ll take responsibility for identifying those simple tasks, assigning them, and advising.  But I’m through doing so much of it myself or piling it on just a few people. 

Here’s the deal.  Ann and I will host a MPZ Century Social on June 15th.  But if there is not a minimum of 15 MPZ members (not counting Ann and myself) willing to show up, eat for free, and take a little part of the club having a successful 2009 Century, then I won’t be director of the event for 2009.  And even if a dozen folks call and say they can’t come but they want to help, that doesn’t count!   Because that just is MORE work and follow-up for the director.  We need at least fifteen members present and ready to volunteer for their part and then follow through and do it.    I’ll apologize just a little now to you and any member that thinks this is “high-handed”.  But Jim, I can’t help but think how wonderful it would be for MPZ, Bicycling, and the TDV Century if we had 30 or more energized members show up! 

Sincerely,

Harry Colman

Director 2009 TDV?????