August 27, 2004
To all members, administrators and general well wishers of
the Reno Wheelmen and Alta Alpina Cycling Clubs:
As a member of the junior team, I cannot express to you all
how invaluable your support has been to us throughout the duration of the
summer. From the folks at AACC, we have received everything from tires, tubes
and sports nutrition products to complete bicycles and a fully funded trip to
the San Jose Velodrome. As well, each club graciously waived our racing fees
for their summer twilight series. Every single contribution gave great
encouragement to older racers such as my self in addition to allowing younger
riders a fabulous opportunity they otherwise would not have had for a simple
lack of equipment. This willingness on each club’s part to contribute direct
financial aid to the junior’s success has without a doubt provided a crucial
framework for the growth of the team and its continuing progress.
The other juniors and I have reaped tremendous benefits not
only from this extremely generous material support, but also from the strong
moral support from riders and administrators alike. At every race, older riders
made wonderful efforts to greet, cheer on and congratulate the junior team, and
the resulting atmosphere brought many more juniors to the evening races. At no
race or training ride have I seen any junior overlooked or obscured in any way,
and this positive attention has certainly drawn many young cyclists including
myself to the camaraderie and competitive decorum of the sport.
For all of these efforts and more, I thank everyone for
their belief in and dedication to the active promotion of our sport to the next
generation of cyclists. This summer’s junior team is absolute proof that with
consistent financial and moral support, the sport can spread and grow in ways
guaranteed to enrich us all. I would like to personally thank Mel Maalouf and
Dana Lookadoo for donating their valuable time and energy to coach the junior
team. Their experience and positive attitudes are the quintessence of effective
mentoring. As well, both Troy Walters and Mike Hernandez deserve special thanks
for all of their hard work putting on the races that we all looked forward to
each week. Thank you all for rooting for the juniors and giving us the chance to
come together as a team to do our best. I hope that this wonderful program
continues long into the future so that others may have the same incredible
opportunity I’ve had as a junior to enjoy the sport.
Sincerely,
Andrew Pederson