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Bill Deverell looking fresh as a daisy after a 2000 ft climb on Memorial Day
If there's an unofficial slogan for one of the nation's best loved touring clubs, 'Friends Leading Friends..' sums it up, says Chairman of the Bicycle Adventure Club and New World Tourist owner Bill Deverell.
Not to be confused with the Adventure Cycling Association, The BAC started over 20 years ago as a grass roots peloton of 40 riders in San Diego, who simply wanted to ride together, and see each other year after year. In the first year the club offered five tours. Now, it's ballooned to 1400 members and over 35 one-to-two week annually across America and abroad.
'The nicest thing about a club like this is knowing you will see your buddies on the next tour and build real camaraderie,' says Bill.
The Club has always been non-profit. Members are encouraged to volunteer to develop tours in their area, which participants pay costs plus their own food and hotel rooms as they go. In addition there is a small contribution of $50 per tour which goes towards the maintenance of the Club. Rides are usually supported loops, although some hardcore members lead the odd self-supported tour.
And then there are the theme rides.
'Rick Brown, a West Point Graduate, led a Civil War Battlefields in Virginia and Gettysburg,' said Bill. 'Jane Holahan leads a ride down the Loire Valley in France, emphasizing the Castles and gardens, and Mike Healy did an intoxicating California Wine Country at Harvest Time tour, where we where we followed the grape from picking to pressing.' And Bill? 'In my home state I run a Colorado Mountains, Valleys and Brewpub trip that climbs 4 passes and covers 450 miles crossing the state.'
Members are generally retired or anticipating retirement in the near future, but boy, are they tough Bill, 70 years young this year, four rides with the club each year.
'One of our members Mary, 78, slings her Friday together and rides like HELL,' grinned Bill. 'And there's another lady leading rough-as-guts rides through Lewis and Clark Country.'
The club is conscious of making solo participants feel as welcome as possible, and make a point of integrating into the group gatherings each evening.
If this sounds like you kind of club (and I only hope I can keep up with them if I get to retire) membership is just $50 initially, then $25 a year.
To honor this great club, Bike Friday are delighted to make the following offer:
1) BAC members can buy one of the sellout Bike Friday "Let There Be Small Wheels" Bike Friday Jersey at a special price of $45 (usually $75). Ride with pride!
2) BAC members ordering a custom Bike Friday receive a) 5% discount on the complete bike excluding accessories c) a $25 referral fee goes back to the BAC to help keep a great club rolling! Not combinable with other offers. Please quote the magic code: 839.
Life's short. Join the BAC now.
For more information, follow this link http://www.bicycleadventureclub.org.