About Us
The Onondaga Cycling Club is a Central New York non-profit which organizes cycling events. We schedule and conduct bicycle rides, vacation rides, races, and time trials from March through December throughout the Central New York area. In 2007, 474 people participated in club rides and they rode 112,084 combined miles. We welcome riders of all abilities. We have specific suggestions for those who might wish to ride with us.
Safety: Helmets are required on all rides. Bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of motorized vehicles. It is much safer for bicyclists to do what drivers expect from vehicles. Thus, riders are expected to comply with all traffic laws on club rides.
Guests: They are welcome at all events and we ask that those who participate several times apply for membership. They must sign an insurance waiver at all rides.
Website: onondagacyclingclub.org Our website contains a wealth of information: membership forms, our ride schedule, maps for our 180+ rides, information on the club’s e-mail list (and instructions on how to unsubscribe).
Listserv: The club has an active electronic mailing list (i.e a “listserv”). Details about it can be found on the club web site. It often carries important messages for the membership.
Newsletter: We publish a newsletter, The Spoke-n Word, 11 months a year for members. It is on-line, but members can choose to receive it via snail mail.
Annual Banquet: It is typically held in January or February; and it is announced on the club’s electronic mailing list, the club web site, and in The Spoke-n Word.
Awards: To reward participation and promote volunteering for club events, members earn points as follows. Participation points are earned for each ride or time trial a member rides in and top earners are in the “Groups des Grande Rouler.” Volunteer points are awarded as follows: 4 point for leading a ride, 2 for assisting at a time trial, and 5 points for working half a day at a race. Volunteer points carry over from year to year.
Ride Leader Responsibilities: please see the ride leader packet
Time Trials: The club runs a flat 10-mile, out & back time trial in which riders start one at a time and race against the clock. Time trails are sometimes called the “race of truth.” The age and speed range of the time trialists varies widely and time trials can be used for measuring improvements in conditioning during the season. Please remember that we are weekly guests in this neighborhood, so please be polite to the residents and drivers. They are held every Tuesday from April 22 to September 16, and they start at 6:00 p.m. at Jerome Fire Equipment on Caughdenoy Road, about .5 mile north of SR 31 (sometimes in the depth of the summer they start at 6:30 by mutual consent). Please contact Sam Sampere, 698-9601, for more information.
Vacation Ride: This year’s vacation ride will be held August 3-9, 2008 in the Pennsylvania, Susquehanna Valley Region. Rider will be out of two locations. For more information, please contact Joan Yungwirth or Jimmy Ryan, 451-1616.
Bill Johnson Memorial Century: Bill Johnson was an active member of the club; he served as time-trial director, treasurer, vice-president, and president before his death in 1999. He was a dedicated leader and an inspiration to all. This memorial ride raises scholarship funds for the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in his name (so there is an entry fee). This year it will be on Saturday, September 13 and will start at Marcellus County Park, Stone Mill Shelter. More details are available.
Distance Cycling: We offer Audax Club Parisien and Randonneurs USA sanctioned distance events. They do not qualify towards club mileage awards, These events have entry fees, which vary by the event. For more information visit DistanceRider.net or contact Jenn Barber, 684-7280.
Cyclocross: On Sunday, October 18, the club will sponsor a cyclocross race in Longbranch Park in Liverpool. Those interested in volunteering should contact Jochen Woicke, 682-7841.
Syracuse Race Weekend: Three races will be held May 17 and 18 (a week earlier than past years). It features the Song Mountain Road Race, a time trial, and a Criterium in Syracuse’s Inner Harbor. The club needs many volunteers for the two days of racing, so please keep the weekend open to help out. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Marcello Prattico, 214-3292. More details are available.