Dear Members:
Welcome to 2026 with SMBC!
I am Don Stuart, a father of triplets, and an avid bicycling enthusiast. I just returned from the SMBC trip circling Lake Okeechobee which reminded me of all the things that make our club great: a focus on community, safety, fun, and recreation. This trip was organized by Jim Haley, Ken Sanders, and their wonderful wives, Ruth Ann and Maggie.
Our club is very special to me and our members, but it wouldn’t be possible without the commitment of our new board highlighted below, all our members, our invaluable ride leaders, and the volunteers that make this club extraordinary. I would like to thank departing board members: John Harkey, Brian Dailey, Stephanie Garrison, Ken Nelson, and Sara Reibman for their years of service, as well as returning board member, Rich Josephson. We do our very best to provide a wide array of programs, activities, training, fun and opportunities for involvement.
Looking ahead, there are rides every day of the week, social activities, the LWR Farmers’ Market information table, ride leader training, technical skills training including Ride with GPS webinars, community rides like Tour de Parks, and numerous youth rodeos that give back to our community. It is truly a wonderful club!
The way you can help right now is to understand how new people learn of and are attracted to SMBC. New members are often concerned that they don’t know anyone, that the ride speed may not be right for them, or don’t have experience riding with a group. Primarily it’s through our website and through you, our everyday ambassadors, who can meet, invite, and encourage bicyclists to join and become involved with our club. We can all help SMBC continue to be the premier bicycling club in the Sarasota-Manatee area! Let’s have a great and safe year!
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