Sorry for the delay in getting this out. We had a good meeting at
Mellow Mushroom last Tuesday, Jan. 2, with 13 members or potential
new members present. Thanks to those of you who were able to
attend.

1. The first GCAT supported/sponsored training ride will be held on
Sunday, Jan. 21 at 1:00 pm from the Fairhope pier. This will a
training brick, with approximately a 30-35 mile ride and then an
approximately 3 mile run, followed by plenty of time for adult
beverages and food afterwards (see below). As we have said before,
this is a no-drop ride, meaning that no one will be left behind.
So, while the group may break into faster and slower 'packs', a GCAT
member will stay behind with the last rider, and anyone wanting to
ride faster or longer than the stated plan is encouraged to do so on
their own by showing up earlier, etc.

We will ride the new GrandMan Tri course, a large part of which is on
back roads away from traffic, for at least one lap of just over 16
miles, and then either repeat that route or go a different route for
the rest of the miles, to finish up back at the pier parking lot.
The run will be the GrandMan run course. Terry Hartley will be
present as a representative of Mobile Bay Keepers and The Grandman to
provide course information, etc.

This is a BYOB function, and we are asking for volunteers to bring
food to save the club from the expense. We need hot dogs,
hamburgers, buns, chips, condiments, paper products (plates and
napkins). If anyone who plans to attend can volunteer to bring
something, please email me and I will keep a list of who is bringing
what.

Also, a flyer promoting this event is attached (NOTE: it could not be
attached to the Yahoo groups posting), so please take the initiative
to print and distribute it where you see fit, at local sporting goods
outlets (McCoys, Academy, etc.), our local bike shops, the various
heath and fitness facilities, etc.

2. The annual GCAT (post) holiday social event will be held Saturday
night, February 3. Melissa Weekley and Gina Hedberg have agreed to
be food chairpersons, so one of them may be contacting you. Or it
would be even better if you would contact them at
melissa.s.weekley@... or gina.hedberg@... and offer to
bring something. Location to be announced as soon as possible.

3. If you have not previously paid your 2007 dues, you should have
received an email yesterday advising that they are now payable for
the current year. We are desperately in need of money to pay
outstanding bills and support club functions, so please send in your
payment as soon as possible.

4. Alternating the meeting location from place to place has worked
well in the last 8 months, so we will continue to do that. However,
a number of members have conflicts on Monday nights, especially at
the beginning of the month when we have always held meetings in the
past. So, I plan to alternate the meeting dates this year and see
what kind of feedback we get. While we will never be able to find a
day or date that suits everyone, hopefully, if we vary the night that
we meet, it will allow more members to attend at least some of the
meetings. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 6pm at a
location to be announced later.

Hope to see you on the 21st or at a meeting or other event in the
near future. As always, train smart and ride safe.

Kemper Sarrett