And Sean Brennan will be there to lead the ride. Thanks, Sean!

With enthusiasm, we scheduled a Monday Dec 26th ride instead of a NCCC Sunday ride on Christmas. I regret that this weekend has turned into a flu experience for me. Please feel free to enjoy the ride with other NCCC mates. One of the other ride leaders may also show up to make it official, there was no time to arrange a substitute ride leader.

Hope all had a Merry Christmas and that you slipped in a bike ride or two this weekend.
Karl

Most cycling friends I know use a Garmin or Wahoo device to keep track of mileage and such.
However, many of these same people don't use this device to its fullest capacity, in terms of
routing. They either don't know how to transfer a ridewithgps file to their bicycle computer
or just desire relying upon paper routing.  For those that desire to use their computer to keep
track of the ride they're on, there are various ways to do so:

1.  I believe this is the easiest way:  https://ridewithgps.com/help/export-routes-to-garmin-device

2.  Garmin has several suggestions, which, IMO, are more cumbersome:
https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=NaHPJietLh1JONP2sz5DdA

Give it a try!

Since it looks like rain all day tomorrow throughout the county + high wind advisory from 4am to 6p, I'm pulling the plug for a rare Sunday cancellation. No World Cup, but maybe some football to watch, or a good book to read.
Stay dry if you can.

The non-profit organization roots4relief.com is building 58 new bikes out of the box as holiday gifts to kids whose families are below the poverty line. This organization has been doing this for 6 years in Connecticut and is expanding to San Diego this year. From their director:

"The Athletic Brewing team will be assembling 58 bikes on Wednesday 12/14, from 10am-2pm. WE CAN USE YOUR HELP! Having built bikes for the last 6 years, I know how much effort goes into the finishing QC process, and having some volunteers on-board that day that really know their stuff would be great. I'll be sure to provide them with a great lunch, lot's of beer, and amazing company. Ideally we'd find 2-4 volunteers that can help with final qc (brake adjustment, tightening up wheels and handlebar stem, etc.)."

Besides a free lunch and beer, you will be rewarded with the joy expressed by these kids and their families as they get a great gift this holiday season.

If you are interested, please email or phone John DellaVentura, info@roots4relief.com, 203-871-9896. The build will take place at Athletic Brewing Company. 7606 Trade St San Diego, CA 92121.

Thanks to all who can help!
Karl

Louis Garneau, Women's Multi Air Flex II Bike Shoes for indoor cycling, commuting and mtb, SPD cleats compatible with mtb and road pedals, Dark Night color, size 40.

Used for three rides by my wife. Like new--clean and ready to go.

$75/obo.

It's time to Sign Up for the Holiday Party! This year's event will be on Friday December 9, 2022, 6:00 pm, at the Valley Club in La Costa Valley. As usual we will hold a brief member meeting, but the main focus is on getting together for some holiday cheer.

Sign Up by December 5

We also need volunteers to help set up before and clean up afterwards. If you would like to help out please contact our social chair Dana Gross at holidayparty@northcountycycleclub.com. Our club runs on volunteer power - thanks for contributing!

You should have received a notice in your email as well. If you did not receive that, please email Karl, admin@northcountycycleclub.org so we can fix any email delivery issues.

I love riding with the members of this club. There are quite a few excellent riders and some genuinely friendly people here. Sadly, however, I have a horrible memory for names! I feel awful about this. Even to those whose name I do remember, once you change your kit, helmet or the side of me you ride on, I completely fail on that name-to-face thing (sorry Tony!!). I blame the fact that during a ride, most of my blood is in my legs trying to keep me going, and there is little left in my brain trying to feed my neurons. Though I don't think that I am alone in this memory deficiency. It seems that most rides start with a number of us asking each other to remind us of their names. If only there was something we could do to help each other!

I noticed some time ago that several riders had custom vinyl stickers made with their names and attached them to easily visible places on their bikes. I love this as it helps me feel stupid about one less thing in my life. Unfortunately, in my case, Specialized has taken that place of honor on my bike with their own name in huge lettering, leaving me little room to do the same. However, I recently used a site online to create a small graphic of my name and affixed it to the sides of my helmet. Now, for those that I am riding with who have forgotten my name, they can look at the side of my head and get a nice reminder. I'm trying to start a trend... 

Anyone interested in doing the same thing, there are several online sites that can cheaply create a graphic of your own design with your name (or any other text or shape). I used lettering.com, which has an excellent and simple to use online editor.

Thank you to all of the riders that I've asked for your name almost as many times as miles we've done together. I appreciate your patience.

-Cody Barnes

My wife Jill pointed me to this interesting (long) New Yorker article. A wild introduction to the fledgling sport of high level gravel bike racing.
Karl

Rain right now. Might clear but roads slippery. Ride cancelled.