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