Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Looking back on a very relaxing GWBR

Laying down with the dog
Last weekend was a ton of fun! It really felt good to get out and ride. We went to lots of wineries and you can read my reviews of them here. The weather was perfect, if a bit chilly at night and in the mornings. Jeff and I had a great time riding with Pam Downs on Saturday. When we lunched in Santa Margarita we saw this dog that really made the sidewalk look comfortable.

On Sunday Sue joined Jeff and I at Star Farms. Sue had real allergy problems over the weekend and was unable to ride.

Pam and Teri Duffy did a great job chairing the event and all the folks who pitched in really helped to make this a truly great club event.

Monday, May 30, 2005

We're home again

Folding up camp
After last night's fantastic dinner we folded up camp this morning and went home. Last night was spent talking, telling stories and drinking good wine. It was a great trip making new wonderful memories. That's what our club is all about.

Sunday, May 29, 2005

Sunday dinner soon at GWBR

Star Farms

We had a nice ride to Star Farms and back. The weather was moderate. Now it's time for a yummy dinner!

Saturday, May 28, 2005

Perfect Paso Peddling

Pam and Jeff on ride
After a hardy bike club breakfast we had a fantastic day riding today with perfect weather in the upper 70's and low 80's. Pam Downs, Jeff and I had a great ride to Santa Margarita through the unique country around here. Rolling hills, giant oaks and fields of wine grapes were the order of the day. We really had a fun ride, as did so many other folks in our bike club today. Sue had a day to herself shopping and doing the things she likes to do. Tonight is the wine and cheese party. We are really looking forward to that.


As long as my laptop battery lasts, I will keep these reports coming!

Friday, May 27, 2005

Wonderful wine day

Today Sue, Jeff, Pam, Harold and I spent the day going to wineries. It was a great day and we had tons of fun. We tasted some yummy wine too! Meanwhile, the rest of the riders arrived and the rally is in full swing!

Norman wine pourer

Fine time in Paso

It started off cool and overcast. But, the sun is out and it looks like a great day. We had breakfast at Margies, and Harold and Diane came in and sat next to us. Today we are going wine tasting, we have a map and everything! This will likely be my last blog post as I forgot to bring a power cord. Our dinner last night at Bistro Laurent  was wonderful! This looks like a great weekend coming.

Here is a photo from yesterday:

Jimmy and Sue

Thursday, May 26, 2005

Live from Paso Robles

Live from the Great Western Bike Rally
Sue and I are in Paso Robles. Jeff drove the the bike club's chuck wagon down. The club has a nice area and plans are being made for the weekend's activities. The weather is great, not too hot!

Pam making plans

Sue, Jeff and I went out to a great dinner in downtown Paso. That was a lot of fun. It looks like a great weekend taking shape.

Whine and Dine Time

Whine and Dine Group

Yesterday evening we had great weather for the whine and dine bicycle ride and party. About 30 people rode the ride and a good number of those went out for the dinner after. What more could you ask for: good food, wine, beer and great friends on a warm late Spring evening! The riding was fantastic, the streams along the roads were running and the lake was full. The group I was riding with had a deer run along beside us off the side of the road as we descended down Shannon hill. That was too cool for words!

Tuesday, May 24, 2005

Great riding weather is here!

More weekend update
Suddenly the weather has changed and it is great riding weather again. On Saturday I went for my 40 mile ride and on Sunday Sue and I rode to La Foret, the restaurant we were married in in 1994.

Susie at La Foret

Friday, May 20, 2005

Ready for the end of rain!

Rainbow
Summer is a month away and it has still been raining. Hopefully the clouds will go away. I am ready to do some serious bike rides.

Monday, May 16, 2005

Ads in the BBB

All the ads combined (at best) bring in $17.50 per month revenue and (at worst) either:

  • Cost us hundreds of dollars in postage and increased printing fees when we have to increase the page count to accommodate added content
  • Or, we have to drop content.
I think when we take in money we are obligated to run the ads. I think the membership needs to be aware of that. It has been mentioned that some of the shops that advertise in the BBB give discounts to club members. Do you know how many of the shops still offer discounts? I know not all do.

The Math:
  • We make $960 per year from advertising, assuming all advertisers actually pay us.
  • We print 12 issues per year so $960/12 = $80 per month revenue
  • We pay $1500 per month (printing+postage+pizza)
  • We typically print 24 pages
  • $1500/24 = $62.50 cost per page
  • $80-$62.50 = $17.50 best case scenario profit per month.
The decision to drop adds will be the clubs, not mine. But, it needs to be an informed decision. Remember each inch of space costs money.

Options:
  • Continue as we are
  • Have an understanding with advertisers that they are buying 12 adds, not 12 months of ads and that any given months ads may be dropped for space considerations.
  • Have an understanding with advertisers that they are buying 12 months of ads and that any given months ads may be dropped for space considerations and we will not issue refunds.
  • Drop ads and use the space for other content, perhaps including a list of local bike shops on a space available basis.
  • Embrace advertising as a revenue stream, raise rates, make it worth our while.

July BBB queue is now open

The queue for the July issue is here:

http://homepage.mac.com/s_sloan/bbb/200507/

Paul Vlasveld will be hosting the mailing party for this JULY issue. He said:

I will be hosting the JUNE Mailing Party (for the July issue) on June 23rd at 7:00pm

Call 24hrs in advance so I know how much pizza to order and cookies to bake.

Paul Vlasveld
789 Daffodil Way
San Jose, Ca 95117
408-247-6472

Remember this is the mailing party for the July issue being held in June that Paul will be hosting. The June issue mailing party, to be held this Thursday, is not changed.
~Steve

Sunday, May 15, 2005

Ghost Rider's of Cat's Hill

Ghost riders in Los Gatos
In the June issue of the Black and Blue Bottom [1 MB PDF] are some of the bike racing photos I have taken over the last couple of months. Years ago I was a newspaper photographer and I shot a lot of sports. I still love to do it and have really enjoyed some of the artistic effects I have been able to get using my Digital Nikon camera. I hope you like the pictures!
~Steve

Final Version of June BBB Posted

This is the version sent to the printer
This is the production version of the June 2005 BBB, the newsletter is posted here. As we do not have a location for the June mailing party it was listed as location not determined at publication date.
~Steve

Last Apha of BBB, Jun. 2005 Newsletter here!

This is a 20 page issue
The last "alpha version [ definition here ]" of the newsletter is posted here. The first 19 pages should not have missing content. The last, back page is not done. Be advised as we do not have a location for the June mailing party it will be listed as "location not determined at publication date.
~Steve

Saturday, May 14, 2005

First alpha of June BBB Posted

The first "alpha version [ definition here ]" of the newsletter is posted here. It is just the first 13 pages and may have missing content! More will be posted as it becomes available.
~Steve

Friday, May 13, 2005

June Newsletter, Post #1

The queue for the June issue is here:
http://homepage.mac.com/s_sloan/bbb/200506/
There are no PDF files posted yet.

Stolen Bike Report

My garage was broken into early morning on May 12th.  I live in the Cambrian area of San Jose.  It seemed as though they were in just to get all my bike stuff so I'm just making a list and asking people to keep their eyes peeled just in case they notice anything suspicious concerning anyone trying to get rid of some pretty expensive bike stuff.  If you notice anything, please call the SJPD at:  408-277-8900 (311 in San Jose).  The case number is 05-132-0216.  OR you can call me and I'll get the information to the police. Here's my number:  408-406-4608.

ALSO, Please pass on the document to your friends you ride with around the area and some of the local clubs and teams just in case anyone sees or hears anything.

Thanks a whole bunch,

Dave Hanel

Sunday, May 08, 2005

Rainy Day Sunday

Tonight is the deadline for storys for the June edition of the BBB. Next week we will be in production again. Here is another photo I like from yesterday's race:

Cat 3 rider on the hill

Saturday, May 07, 2005

Cat's Hill Crit Bike Race, 2005

Racers at Cat's Hill Crit
Today's Cat's Hill Crit Bike Race was thrilling.  The weather stayed dry and the racing was intense. I think everybody had a good time watching the race. I know I did!