Great turnout as VeloRaptors celebrated the end of summer with a picnic at Lafayette Reservoir on September 8. Thanks to Pauline for organizing and David K for cooking up a fabulous main course, and everyone else for their usual tasty contributions. VeloRaptors definitely know how to put out a good spread.
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 have great news. Bike East Bay had a “hugely successful” end-of-the-year fundraising campaign, in the words of Rebecca Saltzman, Development Director. She said, “The match from VeloRaptors inspired folks to give additional gifts and/or give more generously.” During the 4 days from December 27-31, Bike East Bay received donations of $24,451, far exceeding the match of $17,250 contributed by individual VeloRaptor members.
We should all be proud that we were able to give such a boost to Bike East Bay. Our efforts help enable them to advocate for better and safer cycling infrastructure throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties and to offer educational programs and rides to the cycling community.
Thanks to all who contributed.
RideOn,
TomW
Ride On for 2024!
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:
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. |
Saturday – April 23, a pack of VeloRaptors helped R4R get to 98% of its goal of $180,000. Both the fund raising and the the cycling aspects of the ride were a great success. The weather was perfect, rest stops were appropriately spaced and well supplied, and of course the VeloRaptor riders were excellent company. The R4R organizers offered a variety of routes and most of us chose the 68 mile route from Suisan City to Sacramento. Although Paul L. (in bright yellow) started in Oakland, completing over 100 miles.
Some of us stopped for a libation before boarding the train back to Suisan City.
Kevin M. (in street clothes) provided SAG support. I should note that VeloRaptor Tom (below) and his grandson were among the top 10 overall fundraisers!
While we all wish for a bit more rain, VeloRaptors have been out riding in 2022 enjoying the good weather. Here are pics from a few of our riders.
In February a group enjoyed the brilliant displays of wild mustard in the hills north of Livermore.
Then on a windy Saturday in March several hardy VeloRaptors were spotted at the Pt. Reyes Lighthouse.
As the members of our club are of a certain demographic, there seem to be a lot of Steves in the mix. Four of them (front row) and friends did an alternative Wednesday ride up a very green Mt. Diablo
You may not know that a new section of the McLaughlin State Seashore recently opened near the Berkeley bike bridge over I-80. This new section of park is named Brickyard Cove and 3 VeloRaptors happened to be the first cyclists into the park on it’s opening day.
