The Sarasota Manatee Bicycle Club strives to be the premier cycling club in the Sarasota region. We will foster a vibrant and inclusive environment where members of all ages and abilities can enjoy the sport, build friendships, increase their cycling knowledge and skills, and be great stewards within our community. | | | A Message from SMBC President Don Stuart | |
Dear Members:
We are busy planning for CycleFest and will know more by April 1. The venue is reserved. All we need are a few more experienced volunteers. Contact Donald.j.stuart@gmail.com for more information and to volunteer.
Thank you for your continued support and for being part of SMBC.
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Effective April 1, 2026, annual dues for Sarasota Manatee Bicycle Club will increase to $35 for individuals and $50 for families.
Dues have remained unchanged for 20 years, but rising costs — including insurance, technology, payment processing, and ride support — now require an adjustment. Even with this increase, SMBC’s dues remain in line with or below similar area clubs.
What remains unchanged is the value you receive: our extensive ride calendar, training and social events, safety and education programs, local bike shop discounts, and a complimentary Ride with GPS membership.
| | $60 before March 19 when the price increases to $65. | | Be sure to log in to your account so you aren't charged a credit card fee. | |
RIDE LEADER UPDATE
We need certified leaders to keep our club rolling safely!
Importance of Certified Ride Leaders
Certified ride leaders play a crucial role in ensuring our club operates safely and smoothly. Maintaining a team of qualified leaders is essential for the ongoing success and safety of our rides.
Requirements to Become a Ride Leader
To achieve certification as a ride leader with SMBC, members must fulfill specific requirements. Prospective ride leaders must complete a Ride Leader Training class. Additionally, they must participate in a mentoring process a designated number of times to become fully certified.
Register for the next Ride Leader Class on March 18. REGISTER HERE
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Probably the most difficult thing we encounter as riders are left turns! Please follow these guidelines:
- Ride Leader (the rider in the front) signals and announces a left turn WELL BEFORE the intersection (300’), but remains in bike/travel lane.
- The last rider (it could be next to last or both) is now in charge of the pace line.
- If traffic is approaching from the rear, last rider announces CAR BACK or HOLD THE LANE and everyone stays in the lane.
- The last or next to last rider announces TAKING THE LANE AFTER traffic has passed the FRONT rider.
- Each rider from back to front checks their mirror and repeats TAKING THE LANE.
- Ride Leader is the LAST rider to take the lane.
- Ride Leader now makes the left turn with the rest of the group.
- If all riders cannot make the turn due to traffic, the ride leader waits for group to reassemble on the other side.
The ride leader should make sure this procedure is understood by all before starting the ride.
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2nd ANNUAL BAKERY RIDE
Mark your calendars to join Susan and Sam for our second annual Bakery Ride to K & K Bakery in North Port on Sunday, April 12th. Stay tuned for more information which will be posted soon on our Hunt Ride Calendar.
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Club Express Ride Calendar
You may notice that we are testing the Club Express Ride Calendar instead of Hunt Club Calendar for two of our weekly rides. The goal is to see whether riders will pre-register and whether ride leaders find the tool helpful.
If you participate in these rides, please give the new feature a try. Your feedback is welcome and appreciated.
Eric Puetz
eric@puetz.me
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Sharky's 22nd Annual Ride the Beaches
Ride the Beaches is BACK for another spin! Register today for the 22nd Annual Sharky's Ride the Beaches cycling event. Join us on Sunday, April 26th to pedal along some of the most incredible coastal riding areas Venice and South Sarasota County has to offer. Gear up for a 70, 35 or 15-mile route - the choice is yours!
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3rd Annual SMBC Golf Outing
Event Overview
SMBC held its 3rd Annual Golf Outing on February 28, 2026, at Peridia Golf and Country Club. The event was designed to give members and guests a chance to socialize outdoors in a relaxed setting away from their usual cycling activities. The outing reached full capacity, with 24 participants teeing off across four tee times.
Contests and Winners
Closest-to-the-pin contests were held on four holes, with separate competitions for men and women. Winners included Mike Baker, Mike McElvogue, Bruce MacLeod, Erica Wheatley, and Tina Goodman. Notably, Tina and Mike McElvogue each won two of the four contests.
Longest drive contests were also held on two holes. Winners were Mike Janson and Tom Leonhardt for the men, and Pat Morris and Maureen Esposito for the women.
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Team Results
The front nine ended in a tie between the teams of Mary McElvogue and Mike Janson. Jay Walsh’s team took top honors on the back nine, while Mary McElvogue’s team recorded the best overall score for all 18 holes.
Participants
Additional participants included Mark Baumhofer, John Wright, Kate Haase, Rick Mizell, Wendell Lilly, Bob Jones, Mark Williamson, Steve Alt, Bill Barton, Jack Fleming, John Harkey, and John Hastings.
Event Coordination
Mike Janson and Jay Walsh coordinated the outing and ensured the event ran smoothly. Following the round, participants gathered at the Peridia Tiki Bar for snacks, drinks, and the awards presentation—a relaxed and enjoyable way to wrap up the day.
Looking Ahead
We look forward to another great outing next year.
| | | SMBC Recruits New Members at the Lakewood Ranch Farmers' Market in Waterside | | |
Want to join the fun?
Our next date is April 12, 2026.
Email Rich Josephson to volunteer for am or pm shifts.
9:30 am - 12:30 pm
12:15 pm - 2:30 pm
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Eugene Rider, League of American Bicyclists
If you'd like to get involved in any of these 2026 events or volunteer opportunities, we’d love to hear from you. Your continued support makes all the difference.
March 25: E-Bike/Smart Cycling Class – City of Venice
March 28: Ride MS: We need 8 road marshals
Aug 9: Youth Rodeo – Sarasota YMCA
HOA/PTO Speaking Engagements: 3 volunteers have signed up so far, more are welcome!
Contact Eugene @ridersridersgroup@outlook.com
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RIDE WITH GPS CLASSES
If you missed our online classes, you can access recordings and transcripts here. Alternatively, you can go to the RWGPS Help Page and sign up for a free webinar.
Transcript 1 - HERE
Transcript 2 - HERE
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250th ANNIVERSARY JERSEYS
Member Jim Halay has worked with Primal to create a patriotic 250th anniversary of the U.S. jersey. Purchase before March 16. Jerseys will be picked up at a local bike shop in early May.
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BOARD MEETING
Our next meeting will be April 15, 2026.
The minutes from each meeting are available on smbc.us
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Bifurcated Trail
Sarasota County Capital Projects, in collaboration with Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources, cordially invites you to a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the LTE Bifurcated Trail project on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
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BIKE MS - Suncoast Challenge
Get ready for the ride of a lifetime!
March 28, 2026
Lakewood Ranch, FL
CLICK HERE to REGISTER!
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RIDE CALENDAR UPDATES
Be sure to check the ride calendar and your email before heading out on a ride. Ride times are regularly updated.
| | Welcome New Members for 2026! | | |
Christopher Cash
Mark Douglas
MaryBeth Dowling
Christopher Edelstein
Mitch Mallett
Craig Newport
Arlene Whalen
Todd Williams
Arthur Wood
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Let me know if I missed you!
Sara
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SARASOTA MANATEE BICYCLE CLUB, PO Box 15053
Sarasota, FL 34277
https://www.smbc.us
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