[BHV] Annual Report to BHV on the Corning Race Team

[Brian Klotz]

Hello All,
   As the Corning Race Team is the adopted racing extension of Big Horn 
Velo with an elected representative, BHV membership is receiving a 
report on the group for the 2009-2010 racing year. I hope that this will 
be a consistent production in the coming years, as "prohibitive 
circumstances" on my end caused it to fall by the wayside last year.  
The racing year has pretty much concluded, with a contingent of CRT 
members attending the Dave Panella Memorial Cyclocross race in Greene, 
NY this past weekend.  It's hard to believe that so much has happened 
over the course of the last 12 months, and with that in mind, it's a 
good time to put something together for you!

   Let's start with the racing statistics:

   - # of members at start of year: 68
   - # of races participated in: 109
   - # of participations in those races: 398
   - # of top tens: 141
   - # of podiums: 77
   - # of race wins: 26
   - # of states raced in: 13
   - # of rider category upgrades: 3

   The Corning Race Team contributed a great deal to the regional 
cycling community in the form of event hosting this year. We hosted two 
races, a training race held in Newfield, NY in which 32 riders 
participated and the Corning Circuit Race, held at Watkins Glen 
International, in which 134 participated.

   The Corning Race Team was a complete organization in 2009-2010, 
representing our community well. Some of the activities that Corning 
Race Team members supported in our community: serving in officer 
positions on the Southern Tier Bicycle League, helping to restore 
children's bikes for an annual raffle in Elmira, participating in Meals 
on Wheels rides and time trial race, delivering meals to seniors taking 
part in the Meals on Wheels program, helping with the Wineglass 
Marathon, running a children's safety clinic with free helmets and 
equipment, putting on a children's race at Watkins Glen International 
racetrack, and donating valuable dollars raised via the Corning Circuit 
Race to our local community charities.

   Over the life of the organization, CRT has grown from about 7 core 
members to the number of riders today. The team has participated in 250 
races around the region and the country with over 900 different racing 
participations, has helped at least 17 riders upgrade their racing 
category, had literally hundreds of volunteers help with various 
community events, given safety equipment to more than 50 children, has 
donated almost $7,000 to three local charities, and become a 
well-respected racing team across the state of New York.  In addition, 
our relationship with and commitment to Big Horn Velo has allowed the 
Corning Race Team to pay for the annual insurance premiums for any rides 
organized by membership.

   All of the items represent the hard work and commitment of a true 
team, the existence of which would not be possible without the support 
of our many sponsors (please check them out here: http://goo.gl/KzK9), 
volunteers, members and Big Horn Velo. Thanks for the opportunity to 
update you on the Corning Race Team!

Regards,

Brian Klotz
BHV Vice President of Racing