12/29/2019 - Holiday Message for 2019

I hope all enjoyed the holidays with family and best for a healthy and happy New Year as we embark on 2020. It's been a great and successful year for Team Somerset with our successful Time Trial promotions, all of which were run flawlessly due to your help and commitment. Many individual performances on the road, track, CX and MTB. We will celebrate these, and our National Champions, when we get together as a team for year end awards. No details or date on that yet, but anticipated to be in March after NJBA holds their annual Banquet (right now targeted for late February).

In addition to a year end celebration, I wanted to thank our sponsors from their contributions to our team efforts, and, in particular, Pops Bike Shop, which we have discussed and agreed to combine forces for our overall team efforts. Pops offers a great partnership for us, expert technical and mechanical support, backing for races, and also a new venue to run our team rides and opportunities to train as a group throughout the year. Since October, I have been riding the Saturday route and it is a well organized endeavor offering opportunity at various levels, and I have met those riding and customers of the Shop. Effective with the start of 2020, we will be Team Somerset–Pops Bike Shop. For official USAC and non-profit purposes, Somerset Wheelmen will remain the "official" team name. However, we'll coordinate updating NJBA and other specific details to say that. Lots of history at Somerset and we also offer a full racing team with much experience and renowned competitors, coaches etc.

Various details will need to be worked through including membership renewal and any specific changes to our clothing etc. My goal, in conjunction with the Somerset Board, Marc, Rick and others at Pops, is to make this seamless and as efficient as possible. We'll be adding some new racers in different categories, increasing the size of the team, and I expect that we may attract a few more from other local teams as well. This will also give us an opportunity to nenew team meetings, which I expect might be quarterly, but we'll work through that. All in all, this is a "win–win" and Pops continues to support us with their vast stock of items, multiple stores, and also individuals committed to the experience of both racers and those that want to enjoy the bike. It's 2020 and, while many still enjoy the traditional racing experiences, others are now venturing into Gran Fondos, Gravel, or just enjoying being part of a larger entity to learn and grow as a cyclist.

As more details unfold, we'll share them and feel free to connect with any of the Somerset board or Pops team with questions and input. Pops has a Facebook page, as we do, in addition to the other long standard modes of communication. Facebook allows real time updates on rides, routes, and other special items going on.

That is my holiday message for this year and we are looking ahead to a great 2020 with new partners, our annual team event promotions, and just enjoying riding and racing together. Once again, Have a Happy New Year.

Thanks,
Chuck

8/11/2019 - Thanks for a Great Season and Flanders TT Spectacular as the Closer

I want to personally say thanks to Team Somerset for a great 2019 of team promotions, which would not be possible without coordinated support from many. 4 promotions in the books and Flanders was a great closer yesterday, and the Naughright hill still steep. Results have been posted on our website and USAC. After a last minute shifting of the course in 2017, and cancellation last year (and bridge construction last month), all ran smoothly on our classic course. PowerBar came this year as they are one of our new TT Cup Sponsors, so that added to the production and made for some good prizes, samples, and pictures. We also ordered spectacular weather for the August finish.

With quite a number of our team and marshals away this weekend for vacation etc., I do appreciate all that came to cover our corners and make this a safe and effective race. We received many on-site, email and Facebook kudos from the race community yesterday, and really all season as the "gold standard" of TT production. I apologize if I forgot anyone, but here is my list of thank yous to go out:

• IT assistance with our initial flyer for the permit and website, along with entry/formatting of the start list and results on the team web page - Bob Perlee
• Course Set-up/Break down - Joe Saling, Frank Villani (Joe was also a floater on the course and managed many things that I probably missed)
• Registration and Support at the Park - Dottie Saling, Fran Crocco
• Treasury obligations and post event forms - Dottie Saling
• Assistance with Prizes - Frank Villani and Fran Crocco
• Whip - Manny Alvarez
• Holder - Rod Murray
• Bartley First Turn - Larry Dudek, Peter DeHahn
• Flocktown Right Turn - Paul Tippett
• Drakestown Rd - Mark Urbanowicz, Mike Brent
• River Rd Right - Bob Peters
• Bottom of River Rd back to Bartley - Frank Villani, Robin Lauezzari, Neil Chuprinko (thanks Frank for bringing in a few new marshals and thanks so much Robin/Neil)

Since I was the last rider to start and had to jump to results and prizes when done, sorry if I missed anyone after the race that may have left. Look forward to seeing all in the fall on rides, good luck to all tackling Cyclocross, and lots of time to plan our events/promotions for 2020 on the road. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and summer!

Thanks,
Chuck

7/4/2019 - Happy July 4 and Touching Base On Flanders TT (8/10) in August

Hope all are enjoying a great (and warm in NJ) July 4 long weekend with family and friends. Some of the team will be tackling the Giro del Cielo full stage race, or pieces of the event (TT, crit, road race) this weekend. Good luck to all racing. Next weekend is the Eddy state championship, starting down on Rt 29 and the Sandrino TT, which is part of the NJ TT Cup. July 13-14.

We are about 5-6 weeks out to the Flanders Time Trial. I just wanted to put out a feeler and touch base on support for the event. If you are available on Saturday, August 10, for a couple of hours, always appreciated. We've done an outstanding job with our first 3 team promotions and certainly would like to finish out the year in style to make this a safe and successful event. Flanders doesn't require the quantity of support that we need for Somerset Circuit, but we always need a decent amount of corner marshals on a tough course with multiple turns. We'll do our best to have all the pieces of the time trial set up in advance and have some snacks, drinks as always for volunteers. Parking and start are at Palmer Park, Long Valley.

Your help is always appreciated and it makes these events possible and running smoothly.

Thanks,
Chuck

5/19/2019 - Thanks All For a Great Somerset Circuit TT

Blessed with spectacular weather this spring finally, it was another complete "team" effort from Team Somerset. First, shout out to key sponsors Saunders Jewelry for their special prizes to the Cat 4-5 winners and also Pops Bike Shop for the bulk of yesterday's prizes, along with Castelli that rounded them out. As we closed out our third TT of the spring, this event required the most people power with the challenging course and variety of sensitive turns. We received many kudos and thanks from the cycling community on our facilitation of the event and attention to detail, so again thanks.

Am sure, I will forget someone, so, if so, please remind me. Along with MainSport Timing, which managed our start list, timing, results, USAC uploads, etc., Bob Perlee (our webmaster) helped get all of this information on track for our web page, links for riders etc. He'll be formatting on Sunday so we can send riders the "pretty" version of results beyond what USAC provides, and to store a nice version on our site.

In terms our direct team support, can never say enough about what Joe and Dottie Saling do. From prize pickup, to # ordering, Joe handled the course/podium set up (and take down) and was also the "quarterback" around the course to ensure marshals had what they need. Dottie worked registration with my wife, Fran, and also helped with our Treasurer functions for the race and got the results up for rider view before prizes. Thanks also to Frank Villani for helping me get prizes out.

• Holder - Rod Murray
• Whip/Organizing Riders at Start - Ken Drake, Manny Alvarez
• Hillcrest Turn - Matt Bruno, Peter DeHaan, Mike Brent
• Sunset Rd - Frank Villani
• Old York - Andy Indeck
• Craig Rd - Marc Perrault
• Pleasant Run - Scott Breed
• Cole Rd - Herman Storms, Mark Urbanowicz
• Holland Brook Bridge - Maria and Greg Schutske, Paul Tippett
• Final Left Turn to Roosevelt - Bob Peters, Pat Gellineau
• Additional floater - Ron Koller assisted for more marshal support on the course

That, in total, is over 20 team members/individuals that jumped into action to make a successful and safe event, many whom which also helped at our other TTs this year. So as we wrap up the Somerset Circuit TT, again this support is both extremely appreciated by me, and also all the racers out there that point to Somerset as the "gold standard" of race organization and implementation. We couldn't do it without all of you. While a break for us, as many of the big road events, including "Tour of Somerville" come up, next up (and last for the season) on our TT line-up will be Flanders Time Trial on Saturday, August 10. Enjoy summer and will see you out at the events or on a ride.

Thanks,
Chuck

4/13/2019 - Allamuchy TT Thanks

Back to back promotions in the books, and a very successful Allamuchy TT today. Started out wet, but most of the riding piece was dry. Results have been posted to USAC and our webmaster is working on a nicer version that I will send to registered riders. Thanks so much for the help today. These promotions start months in advance with preparation within the calendars, towns, county, and also securing dates, setting up permits, Bike Reg, prizes etc. We navigated the waters of a busy weekend for the timers, so Bob Biese helped us from MainsSport Timing. Also, with pipe/plumbing issues, the usual park restrooms were closed, so Green Township supplied portajohns and we helped stock them!! As we manage 1/3 of the TT Cup, it's a tall order, so a lot of support is needed.

• Joe and Dottie Saling - recognizing that this team ran the Steve Reed TT in Cape May just 6 days ago. Everything from prize consultation, to course set-up, management of registration, organizing marshals on the road, marshaling a turn and Dottie thanks for all the help around the reg area with Financial items, One Days, questions, etc. These promotions don't happen at this level of success without Joe and Dottie
• Manny Alvarez was the Whip, with Ken Drake providing lots of organizational support at the Start
• Rod Murray - Holder
• Ron Koller helped with prize distribution, getting results up with me, and directing people on the road
• First Turn - Greg and Maria Schutske - our solid volunteers marshals, always doing a great job
• Turnaround - Frank Villani and Pieter DeHaan
• Gibbs Turn - Bob Peters, Marc Urbanowicz (Bob also was the orchestrator of this course we pre-road it this week). Bob also helped with course set up
• Final Turn on Long Bridge - Paul Tippett, Mike Brent and Joe Saling I believe

Lastly, Saunders jewelry donated watches for us to us as we see fit and an extremely generous donation which we appreciate. We, additionally gave out prizes today from our TT Cup sponsor Castelli and a few from POPS provided.

I was very impressed with all the offers from help from the junior team afterwards. Just a great bunch of young racers. Thank you all as well.

A couple of great promotions completed and half way for this season. Somerset Circuit TT in 5 weeks. Push hard and Pedal Fast!! Will see you there.

Thanks,
Chuck

3/10/2019 - Somerset Team Awards Party recap

Thanks to Eric and Maggie for again hosting a great party last night. Lots of fun, great food/drink, and, of course, our awards. Not everyone was able to make it and accept awards, but here are the winners from 2018. Between Joe/Dottie, Frank Villani, and me we have awards for those that couldn't accept them last night. Will see you all soon as the race season begins. Here you go:

Juniors

• Boys 13-14, Frank Villani
• Boys 15-16, Tim Downs
• Boys 17-18 - Co Awards to Noah Jerris and Aiden Duffy

Masters

• 45+, Eric Schlauch
• 55+, Rick Anderson
• 65+, Pat Gellineau
• 75+, Mike Brent

Men's Track - Pat Gellineau

Men's CX - Frank Villani

Women's BAR - Jeanne Davis. Jeanne also was awarded Life membership for her National Championship

Men's MTB - Rod Murray

Most Improved Rider - Frank Villani

Team Spirit Award - Ken Drake

Congrats to all the winners and thanks to all who could make it and it was an enjoyable evening. Fran got a few pictures which we can post on the website.

Thanks,
Chuck

3/4/2019 - Support for April TTs

Believe it or not, the TT Cup starts in less than 4 weeks and our first team event is April 7 (Steve Reed TT) followed by Allamuchy on April 13. I am putting out an early gauge for support. For those making the trip to Cape May, please let Joe know if you are available to help at all. For Allamuchy, as a Circuit TT, we need more volunteers. Would appreciate if you could let me know if you are available on Saturday, April 13 for a couple of hours in the morning to help make our event safe and successful. Our biggest need is always corner marshals, but let me know what you may be able to help with. Thanks and look forward to seeing you at our team party Saturday at Eric's.

NJ TT Cup Series website

Thanks,
Chuck

1/29/2019 - Awards Party

Hope all are doing well and surviving winter. Eric and Maggie are graciously hosting our year end awards party again. All members, family, friends of the club, potential members and significant others are invited. Attendance was a little light the past few years, so lets support the club and turn that around this year – we've had up to 50-60 people in years past and it would be great to have a good sized crowd again this year. Details are as follows:

Date: Saturday March 9, 2019
Time: 5pm until its over (usually around 9pm)
Location: Schlauch Home
Please RSVP to Eric at his my work email: Eric@peak-environmental.com
Beverages, main courses and dessert will be provided. If you're able to bring an appetizer or side dish it would be appreciated, just let Eric know what you may be able to bring when you RSVP.
Questions? Feel free to call or text Eric on his cell (908-482-7671), or connect with Dottie, Joe, or me. We look forward to a fun evening getting the team together and recognizing some great performances in 2018.

Thanks,
Chuck