The New Year Banquet Honors the Heroes of Our Cycling Club
The Berkeley Bicycle Club held the New Year's banquet, a much-anticipated event at Todos in Oakland. Passion, tenacity, and the shared love of cycling are the themes of this magnificent event, which goes beyond being a simple gathering. On this night, we unite as a community, united by our passion for cycling and our drive for greatness.
Our New Year's dinner awards are more than just trophies; they are the embodiment of our cycling community's values and spirit. The club's core principles are reflected in each trophy's special history and meaning.
The Lifetime Membership Award go to John T. The Lifetime Membership Award is the pinnacle of club recognition, given to long-serving members who have made significant contributions to the club's mission and demonstrated unwavering dedication to the club.
The Most Valuable Volunteer go to Nate English. Volunteers are unsung heroes because of the tremendous value they bring to our communities. Everyone who has worked so hard behind the scenes to guarantee a problem-free ride or event deserves praise.
The Most Dedicated Ride Leader go to Morgan G and Steve S. Our club's ride events couldn't happen without their unwavering commitment.
The Best Young Rider go to Yoann P and Grant E. This award acknowledges outstanding performance and sportsmanship while highlighting the abilities of our younger members, who represent the sport's future. Yoann placed ninth overall in the Diablo Challenge with a time of 49 minutes and twenty seconds. Plus, he's only sixteen years old. Grant, a remarkable young rider, finished the Diablo Challenge in a staggering 56 minutes and nine seconds, placing him among the top kids in the uphill race. took first place in the 2023 Shea Crit District Championship.
The best climber go to Kristen V and Hugh R. Kristen won the overall woman's Diablo Challenge. Hugh crushed Mt Diablo Challenge in 55:33.8.
The Most Miles go to Paul C. This award goes to the member who has clocked the most miles throughout the year, a true testament to dedication and love for cycling.
The Biggest Crash Survivor go to Kevin L and Dilan R. This award is a special tribute to the resilience of cyclists—those who have fallen but got back up, just as the sport's champions.
The Most Valuable Mentor go to Meredith N and Hussein S. They have a significant impact on our riders' futures. This award is given to long-term members who are willing to share their knowledge and skills with others.
The Most Active Racer go to Gwen M and Christina S. Gwen competed in fifteen races in 2023, placing first six times, finishing in the top ten in fourteen, and received the NCNCA Elite 3 All Around Rider reward. Christina competed in fourteen races in 2023, placing third three times and finishing twelve times in the top ten.
The Community Building Award go to Ryan R. This special award is for those who go beyond cycling, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie within the club.
Thank you to all our members, volunteers, and leaders for making our club what it is today. Your dedication and enthusiasm are the wheels that keep us moving forward.
Until our next ride, keep the spirit alive, and remember – every turn of the pedal is a step towards new possibilities.