About Hancock Handlebars Bicycle Club
Discover
Bicycling with the
Hancock
Handlebars Bicycle Club
P.O.
Box 232
Findlay,
OH 45839
Why
Choose Bicycling
Bicycling
is a recreational activity offering many benefits.
·
Cardiovascular
Fitness
In
this health conscious age many people are turning to cycling as a method of
improving their cardiovascular fitness. The exercise offered by cycling helps
to strengthen the heart and lungs without undo stress on the joints. This
makes cycling a good alternative to running and jogging for those who are
concerned about stress to the ankles and knees.
·
Relaxation
Cycling
requires physical exertion but can also be mentally relaxing and a good outlet
for the tension and stress created by today's fast paced lifestyles. A
pleasant ride in the country on a bicycle is a great way to 'get away from it
all' for a while. A positive change in one's frame of mind can help to improve
relations with family, friends and coworkers, and in the long-term help to
avoid hypertension.
·
Family
Activity
Cycling
can be a family activity in which all members participate. It can provide opportunities to be together
and talk to one another while doing something that's good for you.
It's a great alternative to television.
·
Transportation
Cycling
is a low cost, low maintenance and environmentally sound alternative to the
automobile for transportation in a small community such as ours. Whether
commuting to work, running small errands or just traveling across town to
visit friends, your bicycle can get you there in less time than you might
think.
Cycling
in Northwest Ohio
The
roadways of Hancock and surrounding counties are ideally suited for cycling.
The secondary roads are well paved, lightly traveled and well marked. The
terrain is relatively flat and scenic. The landscape is covered by farms,
streams, rivers and small forest plots and is dotted with small towns and
villages.
Most
of our small communities have parks that offer cyclists water, restroom
facilities and a place in the shade in which to rest. Many also have locally
owned and operated eating establishments, each of
which is known for particular specialties such as homemade pies or ice cream
and for small town hospitality.
The
Hancock Handlebars, in cooperation with the Hancock Park District, help to
maintain three designated bicycle routes that traverse the county.
These routes are have printed maps are available from the Park
District Headquarters, local bicycle shops, and from the Hancock Handlebars.
Why
Join a Bicycle Club
The
Hancock Handlebars are a friendly and diverse group of individuals who share a
common interest in cycling. Participation in club-sponsored events gives our
members the opportunity to share in the enjoyment of a healthy outdoor
exercise while developing their personal cycling skills.
For
beginners, the club offers the opportunity to learn about basic cycling
techniques and safety issues. Topics such as hand signaling and draft line
etiquette are discussed and practiced by our riders. Ride leaders are
appointed for our novice level rides. Ride
leaders provide all participants with maps of the planned route and follow at
the rear of the group to provide assistance to the riders.
For
intermediate and advanced cyclists, the club offers a variety of events that
are more challenging in terms of pace and distance. Participation in group
activities at this level offers cyclists motivation and encouragement to
extend themselves in order to improve their cycling abilities.
All
About Us
The
Hancock Handlebars Bicycle Club is a non-profit organization, established in
1969 and incorporated in 1977, which is dedicated to the following objectives:
·
to
promote the bicycle as a means of transportation
·
to
develop an awareness of bicycle safety issues in our community
·
to
encourage the development of bikeways, bike trails, etc.
·
to
organize bicycling activities
·
to
advance interest in bicycling for recreation and fitness
·
to
bring together those who share a mutual interest in bicycling
The
membership is composed of over 300 individuals covering four categories:
·
Adult
members are persons who have attained the age of 16 years and have joined the
organization as an individual.
·
Youth
members are persons under 16 years of age who have joined the organization as
an individual.
·
Family
members are persons who have joined the organization as a family unit.
·
Life
members are persons who have life membership in the League of American
Bicyclists or the American Youth Hostels.
Benefits
of Membership
· Membership
Packet
· Annual
Mileage Awards
· Local
Bikeway Map
· Club
History and Bylaws
· Annual
Banquet
·
News letter and Events
·
Calendar
·
New Friends!
Activities
for All Ages and All Seasons
Club
activities are planned for all levels of ability. We have as many as 4
scheduled rides per day every day of the week during the season. Our events calendar annually
includes over 6000 miles of organized rides varying from 12 mile evening tours
about town to 400 mile week long excursions.
Evening
rides are held four times per week and range from 8 to 30 miles in length.
The evening rides are a good starting place for novice riders. Leaders are
present to distribute maps and to insure that everyone gets back to the
starting location.
The
evening rides are attended by both casual cyclists and the more experienced
who are out for a hard ride, thus the evening rides provide an activity which
can be enjoyed at either a leisurely or competitive pace.
Weekend
rides vary in distance from 20 to 100 miles, are held locally and generally
have a target destination. The
New Regal Rib Ride, Dola Fish Fry and BG Pizza Ride are some favored events.
Weekend rides tend to increase in distance somewhat as the year
progresses in recognition of improving weather conditions and physical
conditioning.
Away
rides are events that are sponsored by other cycling clubs or organizations.
These may be one-day tours, weekend events or weeklong cycling vacations.
Typical events include the Horsey 100 held in the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky
and the Hilly Hundred held during the fall color season in Brown County,
Indiana. we also participate in the annual TOSRV (Tour of the Scioto River
Valley) which travels from Columbus to Portsmouth and back over a Saturday
and Sunday in May. Some more exotic vacation tours have been organized to places like
the Colorado Rockies, the Netherlands and Prince Edward Island, Canada.
Family
rides are planned for Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings this season. they
will be 8 to 18 miles in length and carry an average speed of about 7 to 12
mph so that younger children can participate. Check the ride calendar for
details of each ride.
The
Mid Morning Milers are a special branch of the Hancock Handlebars that
includes many of our more senior members who are free during weekdays and
enjoy leisurely rides to local destinations.
While
most club activities are scheduled between the months of April and October,
winter is not overlooked. For those willing to brave the cold and wet, and
there really are some, winter rides scheduled Depending on Weather and Riders
(DOWR)
Keeping
In Touch
The
"Handlebar Herald" is a newsletter published quarterly by the club,
which contains the events calendar, various articles relating to bicycling
issues, equipment and safety, and material contributed by members reporting on
club activities or relating humorous anecdotes.
Copies
of the newsletter are distributed to all club members, various local cycling
clubs, organizations and bicycle shops.
Getting
Down to Business
The
business and planning of club activities are coordinated throughout the year
during club meetings that are held Oakwoods Preserve. Issues discussed include community relations,
budgeting, club events and preparations for the annual Hancock Horizontal
Hundred Bicycle Tour. All members are encouraged to attend and express their
point of view.
A
budget meeting is held in December. The November meeting is held in conjunction with the annual club
banquet. During the November meeting elections are held for club president,
vice-president, secretary, treasurer and four trustees.
Officers
and trustees meet in December to prepare an annual budget. The budget covers
the financing of ongoing club activities such as the newsletter and the
Hancock Horizontal Hundred Bicycle Tour. It also designates a certain amount
to philanthropic projects that serve to promote bicycling in our community and
throughout Northwest Ohio.
Also
in January the president appoints chairpersons to head the Rides Committee and
the Social Committee and a director for the Hancock Horizontal Hundred Bicycle
Tour. These individuals are responsible for recruiting and organizing members
to plan the activities calendar, social events and the bicycle tour.
As
in any organization, continued success of the club is dependent on good
planning and a willingness on the part of members to devote their time and
talent as required. All are encouraged to become actively involved.
The
Main Event
The
Hancock Horizontal Hundred (HHH) is a bicycle tour sponsored
by
the club annually on the first Sunday
following Labor Day. The tour is open to the general public and regularly
attracts around a 1000 participants from across the United States and Canada.
The
tour provides marked 32, 62 and 100-mile routes which traverse Hancock and
adjoining counties. Three rest stops are provided which are amply stocked with
fresh fruit, doughnuts, drinks and homemade cookies. Lunch is also served to each rider.
The
tour gives club members an opportunity to introduce themselves and the
community to fellow cycling enthusiasts from many different places.
In
addition to promoting cycling and business in our community, the Hancock
Horizontal Hundred serves as the main fund raising event for the club.
Proceeds from the tour are used to support most of the club's business,
social and philanthropic activities.
The
Hancock Horizontal Hundred is a major organizational challenge for the club.
Arrangements
and planning for the event begin as early as March. All club members are
called upon to provide assistance in some capacity.
Wrapping
It Up
The
riding season culminates for the Hancock Handlebars on the second Saturday in
November at the Annual Club Banquet. This festive event is held in the Lodge
at Riverbend. All club members and their families are encouraged to attend.
A
social hour is followed by a buffet dinner. A guest speaker then gives a
presentation on a
topic
of interest to cyclists.
A
brief business meeting is held during which new club officers and trustees are
elected.
To
end the evening, mileage awards are presented to members who have participated
in at least 25 club sponsored events throughout the year. Those participating
in 50 or more events receive a $20 gift certificate. Those participating in 25
club
events receive a $10 gift
certificate.
The banquet
gives everyone a chance to reflect on the years events and enjoy each others
company one last time before the onset of winter and the holiday season.
For
Information on how YOU can get involved, please write:
Hancock
Handlebars Bicycle Club
Post
Office Box 232
Findlay,
Ohio 45839
hancockhandlebars@woh.rr.com
or
call:
419-422-0417
and ask for Mick