DVBC honors members at holiday banquet

At it's December 4 th holiday banquet, attended by 67, the DVBC bestowed the honor of FX Pedrix True Cyclist of the Year upon long-time member Woody Kotch . (Click here to read more about this award)

New members Clarence Shoch and Jo Ann Fahey were honored as Rookies of the Year for volunteer work in their first year of membership. Both are active riders who also worked at the club's public tours. In addition, Shoch assumed the role of club Rides Coordinator.

Eric Valencia was recognized as the club's Best Dressed. Competition was keen between Valencia and newer member Tom Smyth but the latter won on the basis of lifetime achievement. Valencia never appears at a ride without tastefully matching uniform, bike, saddle, shoes, sox, tires, handkerchief and tool kit.

Best New Rider award went to Jim Irwin , who conquered early self-doubt to become one of the club's stronger B riders.

The hotly contested Crash-and-Burn award was decided on the final day before the banquet when Jack Cunicelli , brother of former winner David, re-broke his collarbone in a cleverly staged freak accident to narrowly edge out another two-time crasher Cheryl Lynch. Lynch was consoled by receipt of the Crash-but-not Burn award, which recognized her success in bouncing back from two crashes and ensuing surgery. Cheryl also received many compliments for the bicycle-inspired chocolate favors she made for the banquet.

Club president Dominick Zuppo sought and received membership approval of donations to the following bicycling causes: Chester Creek Branch Rail Trail ($1000), Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia ($1000), League of American Bicyclists ($500), East Coast Greenway ($500), and Bicycle Access Council of PA ($50).

Hans Van Naerssen , of the Bicycle Council of Greater Philadelphia, presented David Bennett an award for his advocacy work and chairmanship of the Delaware County Cycling Committee. He lauded Bennett for the passion he brings to the cause.

Van Naerssen took the opportunity to promote BikePhilly 2007, one of the most ambitious projects in BCGP's history. The public bike ride will be run on 40 miles of closed roads through the heart of Philadelphia in the style of BikeNY's 5-Boro Bike Ride. Within four years participation is expected to grow to 10,000 riders, making it one of the largest bike rides in the country.

Another well-received feature of the program was a humorous awards presentation to and by participants of last summer's Tour of Pennsylvania (ToPA). Debbie Chaga had some particularly humorous and ironic comments as she explained to the tour organizer Doug Bower the differences between a hill and a mountain.

Many randomly selected members struck cycling gold when their numbers were pulled from the hat in the door prize competition, made possible by the generosity of our sponsors, including BikeLine of Broomall, Biketopia in Havertown, CycleFit, Drexel Hill Cyclery, and West Chester Bicycle Center.