Freewheel’n...A Millennium Moment

This is it...not only have we reached the end of another year of cycling, but we have reached the end for this millennium. I have given considerable thought into this article. Yes, this must be something special. To tell the truth, my mind could not produce anything that would be appropriate. RePete even went to the newsgroups looking for help! I asked myself what were the truly special parts of my life...and cycling is on that short list. Then asked myself the next question, what part of cycling is the most important. The answer is obvious and that is the South Jersey Wheelmen. As the deadline for the newsletter grew close, I reached back into the old issues of the Spoke’n Word for a spark of creativity. What I found is a wealth of information that brought back some long forgotten memories of some great times and people. This allowed me to focus on an important aspect of my life that was being taken for granted. Let me share some of these thoughts with you.

Those past issues reminded me of three truly good friends that are no longer with us. Gordon Mann, Sr., Rich Ruscitti and Bob Basich. Gordon was a member of this club when I joined in the mid 80’s. He seemed to always be willing to help the club and always had a pleasant, cheerful personality. I, like many others, found it was easy to call him a friend. There was a profound loss felt when he passed away in May of 93. Now Rich became a member after I had joined the club. Despite having his own health problems, he was able to develop the club’s newsletter and became the co-editor in 1993. He was preparing an information booklet for new members when he died in July, 93. Finally, Bob Basich was the club president in 1986. He provided inspiration when he and several other members did a cross county tour during the summer of 1987. Then in early 1992, he passed away. I attended the funeral and remember he was wearing his special belt buckle...a large oval with a bicycle in the middle.

There are so many others from the SJW that to list one without listing all would be a disservice and to list all would fill this newsletter. Because of the influence of all of these people, I became vice-president in 1987 and then president in 1991. Let’s review these two years.

The March, 87 Newsletter was a single double sided sheet! To my disbelief, Norma is scheduled to lead the “Peaches and Cream” tour. Bob Basich, Gene and Gordon Jr. complete their cross country tour. The Jersey Devil has 314 riders from Texas, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware and other states. The convention is held in Crisfield, Maryland. Most memorable moment is the ferry trip returning from Tangiers Island. Dewey Parker is huddled inside the vessel while his wife is outside in a cold, soaking rain storm. We celebrate the holidays at the Buena Vista County Club.

Then in 1991, the officers that support me are Scott Medaugh, Gary Pilling, Art Schalick, Glenn, Jenny Malfitano and Gene. Nelson Pena, Senior Editor of Bicycling Magazine, is a guest speaker at the March meeting. The club has scheduled four major tours that include the Roadrunner. A total of 130 attend the Get Ready while 325 ride the Jersey Devil! The Convention is held in Fredrich, Maryland and the most memorable moments are the great tours! The club celebrates with a Christmas Party at the Midway Inn. Last but not least is that Gordon Mann, Sr. is released from the hospital after a succes