2002 / 2003
By
Chris Silvey
Chris Silvey,
Club Founder and First President.
The Man Who Made
It All Happen.
After riding for about a year I asked Mike Posey at Ray's Bicycle (of Vacaville), if there was a bicycle
club in the area. Mike said there was one but it disbanded but if I wanted to start one he would put me
in touch with some people to help. I took him up on it and a group was formed and had it's first
planning meeting at my house. After several planning meetings we publicized a general meeting to be
held at the meeting room at Heart Federal Savings, which was our meeting place in the early stages of
the club. That meeting was held in February, 1988. At this first general meeting a name was picked for
the club. Nominations for names were asked for, and as I remember, there was a good turn out for this
meeting. I wanted the club to be called Solano Cyclists, but some one nominated Monticello, it was
voted on and you know the outcome. It was decided on by the organizers we would have interim
officers to start the club, then have elections in six months. I started out as president, Tom Lindsley was
vice president and Ellen ( Marion ) Hardenburger was secretary- treasurer.
We started having organized rides right from the start and used them to get acquainted and develop
interest in the club. One of the first rides was to Monticello Dam. As I look at the first press clippings of
the club in our album, one states the objectives of the club: to meet other cyclists, have safe and
enjoyable rides, get involved in county and city politics as pertains to bicycling, provide positive public
relations, learn more about bicycles and riding and attending other rides as a club.
Ellen started our newsletter and we were soon sending out applications for membership. Terry Stenz
was the very first person to send in his check for dues and initiation fee. We started with an initiation
fee to help build up our treasury to start up the club. Lenore Chancellor designed our first club jersey.
What we lacked in organization we made up for in match making as Terry and Gretchen met through
the club.
After six months, another group took over the club and meeting places were changed, etc. Eventually
the meetings returned to Heart Federal Savings and different leaders came forth to pull the club
through.
This club has survived especially in the early years, by the hard work of two individuals. They were
not there in the very beginning but soon let their leadership show forth. They are Florence Metcalfe and
Fred (Rick ) Hoffman. We can think back to having our officers meetings on bike rides and discussing
club business. Fortunately we have had volunteers (?) take up leadership roles and continue leading this
club into what is now starting it's eleventh year. I wish all the best to this club and continued success. A
little sidebar of history. The Wednesday Night Ride, so loved by those of high testosterone and
cardiovascular levels was originally started by Fred and myself. We met at Food Fair on Tuesday's for a
simple single pace line Winters loop. Somehow it was changed to
Wednesday at Ray's Cycle and developed into a race.
( extracted from the Monticello Cycling Club newsletter, Off The Front, May, 1998)
specialist, takes the
Sacramento Cross series
finals and overall title.
a local race
