By Craig Friedrich, WNC Bicycle Dealers Association
As an active member of the Western North Carolina Bicycle Dealers Association (WNCBDA), I would like to say "THANK YOU!" Thank you for involving the Dealers Association in one of the state's premier cycling events, the Hilly Hellacious Hundred. As one of the bicycle dealers that organized and worked one of the six rest stops, it was rewarding to have the opportunity to see customers enjoying their bikes. Working the rest stops was also an excellent way to meet new customers and make new friends.
The rest stops are an integral part of the over all success of the Hilly Hellacious. The Dealers Association works to insure all riders leave each rest stop with a positive experience. With six rest stops this year, the Dealers Association hauled in over 400 gallons of water, 60 bags of ice, over 800 Clif bars and Clif shots, and enough Gatorade, candy, fruit and snacks to support the more than 650 riders who participated in this year's four rides. Each rest stop was staffed with volunteers from this area's best bicycle retailers, all of whom are members of the Dealers Association, and most of whom are members of BRBC.
Hilly Hellacious 2003 was a record breaker, not only in rider participation but also in club revenue. This is due to greater turn out, in part from the milder weather and the excellent organization on the behalf of Michele Trantham. Part of this year's revenue increases also came in the form of savings. The Dealers Association helped secure large corporate sponsorships, and in doing so, allowed the BRBC to save money on staple items that otherwise would have been purchased for each rest stop.
The purpose of the Dealers Association is to help promote cycling in the WNC mountains. Promoting cycling includes road & trail advocacy, trial building, trail maintenance, bicycle racing, road & trail education, and organized group rides. Each bicycle dealer spends countless hours and dollars promoting cycling in Western North Carolina. The Dealers Association helps consolidate all dealer efforts and focus those efforts on bicycling issues. To help address these issues, the Dealers Association has to look for sources of revenue. The Hilly Hellacious is just one revenue source. Additional revenue sources will help us continue building the foundation of a strong, unified, local and national advocacy voice.
What to look for from the WNCBDA in 2004:
The WNCBDA is a compliment to the BRBC. The bicycle dealers steer customers toward the BRBC membership, and the BRBC should look to the Dealers Association for support on local & national biking issues. Working together we can promote bigger and better biking events that will expose Western North Carolina as a premier cycling community.
Craig Friedrich is Partner/Sales Manager of Ski Country Sports in Asheville. You can reach Craig at 254 2771 or skicoash@bellsouth.net
© Blue Ridge Bicycle Club Inc. 2004