Metric – a Month! One of the attributes of VeloRaptors is their ability to ride moderate to long distances. In fact, during one phase of VeloRaptor history, Howard Neal somehow persuaded several members to join him in participating in the World UltraCycling Association Year-Rounder challenge: basically riding a Century a Month during a year. Lots of fun and great memories are associated with those rides.
Well, that was ten (plus) years ago, and several participants from that era miss the rides, but not the suffering of a century. So, now, being older and maybe wiser, the club has decided to organize a VeloRaptor Metric-a-Month ride series to help us all stay in shape and enjoy the VeloRaptor group dynamic.
These metrics will generally be on Wednesdays as many of us are riding anyway. Starting in January, one Wednesday a month, riders have the option of a “Metric Century,” in addition to the regular Wednesday ride.
Our first Monthly Metric was January 8, and we had a fabulous turnout that included 19 riders!
We started with a large group at the top of Little Pinehurst. Some riders peeled off, but 19 stayed the course. Our next Monthly Metric will be in mid-March!
The Metric Century for March will be on Wednesday, March 19 at 9:30AM, and we will be riding in Marin, from the Marinwood Community Center at Lucas Valley Road and Miller Creek Road. The tentative route is attached, and I’ll send out more details closer to the date. LMK if you’re planning to come.
— Rob
P.S. Here is the route.
On Sunday, May 12 the VeloRaptors again participated in the BORP Revolution ride in Santa Rosa, making this the 18th straight year of participation and fund raising.
BORP provides recreation and competition opportunities for disabled children and adults, including adaptive bicycling, wheelchair basketball, and soccer, etc. VeloRaptor participation started in 2006 when the board of the VeloRaptors learned that thieves had stolen specially adapted bikes and trikes from the BORP facility.
Since then, VeloRaptors have participated in every Revolution ride and this year the club’s fundraising total was the third highest amongst the participating teams. We raised nearly $21,000 through 83 contributions. This included funds raised by our Annual Bike Wash event on May 4 hosted by Pauline Fox, as well as registrations from 5 riders, and pledges made to individual riders. Moreover, Steve Goldenberg was the second highest individual fund raiser for the Revolution. Overall, our contribution to the Revolution ride formed a significant portion of the total amount ($240,000) raised by the event.
Riders this year were L-R, Steve Goldenberg, Steve Blair, Pauline Fox, Paul Lettieri, Fred Morse.
The letter below illustrates the appreciation the BORP organization has for the VeloRaptors.
May 29, 2024
Dear (VeloRaptor):
Thank you so much for being part of this year’s Revolution Ride Roll and Stroll. We raised $80,000 more than last year! A huge factor was some stellar fundraising from teams, with two teams, Special Need for Speed and the VeloRaptors leading the way.
Although Special Need for Speed currently holds the lead at $26,459.19, that was with 28 members. In terms of per team member fundraising, the VeloRaptors soared! You all are true champions raising $20,718.72 through 83 donations, which combined with the team’s registration fees, brought in $20,918.72 in support of BORP.
The REV is our most important fundraiser of the year, supporting 20+ weekly programs across 10 adaptive sports and rec activities. Your fundraising keeps BORP going strong.
Once the pledges and sponsorships are fulfilled, we will have raised more than $240,000 — more the 20% over our goal. That makes a huge difference as we plan for our next fiscal year.
We hope you had a great time and are looking forward to next year. Stay tuned for an announcement about the date and location.
On behalf of the entire BORP community, thank you for all you have done to make the 22nd Annual Revolution Ride, Roll & Stroll a huge success!
In community,
Emily Seelenfreud
Executive Director
BORP Adaptive Sports and Recreation
3075 Adeline st., Suite 200
Berkeley, CA 94703
BORP (BAY AREA OUTREACH & RECREATION PROGRAM) • 3075 ADELINE STREET, SUITE 200 • BERKELEY, CA 94703
Tel: (510) 849-4663 Fax: (510) 849-4616 • Web: www.borp.org Email: info@borp.org Twitter: @borp.org
The Wednesday group is growing! 22 riders today. Big turnout, even though it was a little cool. Here we are at the top of Little Pinehurst, 21 plus the photographer.
We recently took a Wednesday outlier ride on Palomares Road, and sixteen riders showed up to to enjoy springtime in the East Bay Hills. We actually saw water in the creek and several areas of damage to the road, giving evidence of the recent storms.
For several years the VeloRaptors have supported BORP, an organization which provides sports, recreation and fitness programming for children, youth and adults with physical disabililities and visual impairments. On Saturday, May 13, BORP held its 21st annual Ride, Roll and Stroll in Santa Rosa. We are proud to say that 11 VeloRaptors participated and collectively raised $23,600, smashing our goal of $15,000. The ride this year was a memorial tribute for former team member Dennis Cathey. The team, headed up by team captain Randy Mellin, had several prodigious fundraisers on it, including one of the top 5, Steven Goldenberg. Altogether the team inspired 103 contributions to BORP.
You can learn more about the BORP organization at their website:
VeloRaptors were out and about over the weekend January 28-29, in spite of the weather!
Saturday, VeloRaptors and Oakland Rotarians once again did the Martinez-Benicia Two Bridge ride. We rode in and out of foggy patches, and it so happened that the Carquinez Bridge was in fog. But, we found the sun, hot coffee and fabulous pastries at the One House Bakery in Benecia!
On Sunday, Dale put on his annual Soup Kitchen. Moreover, the 49rs were playing for the NFC championship vs the (Philadelphia) Eagles.
Seven ‘raptors rode from Montclair out to Alamo, despite the cold and rain. Several others took the more ‘sensible’ method and drove out to Dale’s. All were rewarded with a plethora of hot soups waiting to be consumed. Thank you Dale for helping us survive the weather and the Niners shellacking.
Our Wednesday ride was cancelled due to the incessant rain. Many of the Wednesday riders still needed their hit of caffeine, pastry and great socializing.
Seven hardy riders braved the initial cool temperatures today and had a very nice ride. We actually had 8 total participants, as Rob did a short ride, but Mike M. came along to take his place. Chris S. gets honorable mention for showing up at L’Cajou to cheer us on.
We encountered a light sprinkle as we left Orinda and enjoyed sunshine all the way back.
Great start to November!
Join us for a ride around Alameda Island on Saturday – Oct, 29, in conjunction with Oakland Rotary. This ride is designed for those who may want a bit of exercise followed by a good beer. If that is you, then come along on Saturday.
Two options are planned
| A 13 mile ride starting at Faction Brewery at 10:30. This will be a loop that gets back to Faction about noon when there will be a food truck there. Here is the route. For those wanting a longer ride, meet at the Lake Merritt Library at 9:30, we will then rendezvous with those at Faction at 10:30. That will make a 40 mile ride. Email Veloraptors@gmail.com if you plan to ride. |