PRESS RELEASE

(For immediate distribution)

North Iowa Touring Club appoints Laura Giese as RAGBRAI Coordinator to fill the vacancy created by Bill Neal’s resignation.

At its March 5^th, 2019, Board Meeting, Bill tendered his resignation from the positions of Membership Secretary, Treasurer and RAGBRAI Coordinator.  Thereafter, the Board of Directors appointed Laura Giese to fill the unexpired terms of Membership Secretary and RAGBRAI Coordinator.  Jana Metzger was appointed Club Treasurer to fill that unexpired term.  And, Laura Giese was subsequently appointed RAGBRAI Coordinator to fill that unexpired term.

Bill was one of the original members of North Iowa Touring Club and has filled various positions over the years.  For 30+ years he was the RAGBRAI Coordinator and provided a charter service, sanctioned by the RAGBRAI officials, to those wishing to go on RAGBRAI. 

On Friday of last week a small committee met with T.J. Juskiewicz, the director of RAGBRAI, for the purpose of ensuring North Iowa Touring Club would remain a sanctioned RAGBRAI charter service.

On five different occasions Bill organized and supervised multiday rides for the North Iowa Touring Club.  The first of which was a ride across the United States in 2000.  This was followed by a ride from Missoula, Montana to Jasper, Alberta in 2002.  Rides in Nova Scotia, Alaska and along the Pacific Coast followed.

At the spring potluck, Bill, and his wife, Becky, were awarded a plaque of appreciation for their many contributions to the Club.

Within the next few days, those who have ridden with the club on RAGBRAI will be receiving a communication from NITC updating you with respect to RAGBRAI 2020.

For any question, please email us at NITC.RAGBRAI@GMAIL.COM

Staying Safe from Distracted Drivers and Those with Negative Attitudes

Jim’s Tech Talk

By Jim Langley

 

I’ve been a member of our local bike club, the Santa Cruz County Cycling Club since I moved here in 1982. Good members make a good club, so when I’m asked to contribute something I try to help. And this time, I think what I was asked to provide will interest you, too.

Our club newsletter editor, Grace Voss, asked if I’d like to write an editorial about an article a club member sent her way.


It’s in the online science e-zine Elemental and has the disturbing title: What’s Behind the Rise in Bike Fatalities? With the even more alarming subtitle, “Studies suggest a number of factors – including negative attitudes toward cyclists.”

Grace thought I’d be a good person to comment on that bit about the “negative attitudes toward cyclists.” Because I have ridden every day now for a little over 25 1/2 years, or roughly 9,366 consecutive days. And that doesn’t include my previous thirty years cycling, just not consecutively.

Please click  to continue...

 

NITC had received the following from Bill & Becky Neal:

Thank you for the recognition Sunday evening.  But it could not have happened without a lot of help from others. Jim French, Robin Krueger, Diane Stoltenberg and Bob & Faye Neal for all their physical support. And moral support from so many others.

Thanks again. 

Bill & Becky Neal

NITC had their Spring Membership Potluck on Sunday, April 28, 2019 , 6:00 p.m. at the Lime Creek Nature Center. The Guest Speaker was Jana Mentzer of the Mason City Family YMCA.  She talked about Rock Steady Boxing, a non-contact boxing based fitness curriculum specifically designed for people with Parkinson’s disease to empower them to fight back against the disease.  Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative movement disorder which can cause deterioration of motor skills, balance, speech and sensory function. 

NITC also recognized Bill and Becky Neal for their years of time they have donated to North Iowa Cycling Community.

 

Video of Bill & Becky Neal Recognition