Rapid Wheelmen Inc

 

 

 

The Rapid Wheelmen welcome new members of all abilities.  Members receive a monthly newsletter, and are welcome on all club rides and monthly meetings. We welcome individuals, families, racers, tandem enthusiasts -- there is something for everyone.  Come on out and make some new friends and improve your level of fitness!

Our membership year is January 1 to December 31. One-year and three-year family memberships are available. Click on links to the right to join or pay dues.  

The 2011 RW Mileage Logbook is now available. Download the EXCEL worksheet. Questions and comments: catherinebotts@gmail.com.

Need a map to the starting location of a club ride?
Click here for our ride start map page. 

Ride Captains: download Ride Attendance form with Ride Waiver:

http://www.rapidwheelmen.com/waiver.html

Need to deposit Rapid Wheelmen funds or request a reimbursement? Go here:

Deposit and reimbursement forms

Club Financial Statements

JOIN THE WHEELMEN!


Join at BikeReg.com!

Map and information on Wheelmen monthly meetings.

Display a print-friendly Acrobat (pdf)  form for
joining the Rapid Wheelmen

OR 

Email: Membership Chair for info.

Rapid Wheelmen Constitution
(Acrobat)

 

Rapid Wheelmen
P.O. Box 1008
Grand Rapids, MI 49501

 

 
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Wheelmen Board of Directors

Contact any Director via email by clicking the links below or by mail 
c/o Rapid Wheelmen, PO Box 1008, Grand Rapids, MI 49501.

 

smedes
President

Tad Smedes
 
president@rapidwheelmen.com

 

Vice-President

Dennis Hamel
 
vp@rapidwheelmen.com

  

Past-President


pastpresident@rapidwheelmen.com

  

Secretary

Katie Hamel

secretary@rapidwheelmen.com

 

Treasurer

John Crankshaw

treasurer@rapidwheelmen.com

 

Ride Captain

Randy Higgins

ridecaptain@rapidwheelmen.com

 


Safety/Advocacy Chair

Josh Duggan

safety@rapidwheelmen.com

 

Race Chair

David Durkee - road
Jeff Festian - off-road

race@rapidwheelmen.com

 


Membership

Scott Chapman

membership@rapidwheelmen.com

 

Newsletter

John Kowalczyk

newsletter@rapidwheelmen.com

 

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Internet Directors

John Crankshaw

website@rapidwheelmen.com

Mike Burden

website@rapidwheelmen.com

 

doran

Special Events

Linda Doran


events@rapidwheelmen.com

 

 
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Rapid Wheelmen Inc: A History 

The club was organized in April, 1970 in the back room of Alger Schwinn Cyclery then located in Alger Heights in SE Grand Rapids. Early activities centered around club rides, meetings, picnics and camp-outs. 

The club hosted its first invitational ride the “One Hundred Grand” in 1973. 1973 was also the year of the first Arab oil embargo which led to a shortage of bicycles and a boost in membership. 

The Rapid Wheelmen enjoy hosting invitational rides like the One Hundred Grand and the Colorburst. They're advertised nationally, so many visitors join us: bicycling in our area with maps and cue sheets furnished by the Wheelmen. The club also provides food, rest stops, road arrows, embroidered patches,
T-shirts, SAG, and other amenities. 

Our club members go to other clubs invitational rides in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin, and other states.

Because of the volunteer help, these invitational rides are a bargain for riders and a good fund raiser for clubs. 

Over the years the club has branched out into racing, mountain biking, additional invitational rides, safety education programs, advocacy for cyclists’ rights and
facilities, amd fund raising for charities. We try to be all things to all cyclists -- future activities will likely be determined by new trends in cycling. 

The core activities of the Wheelmen are the monthly meetings, weekly rides, a newsletter, and enthusiastic members. At monthly meetings we handle club business, see entertaining programs, feed hungry bikers, socialize, and talk shop.

Weekly rides include all speeds, distances, and terrains, even competitive events. Since not all members can attend all meetings, the newsletter keeps them connected.

Long story, short -- we're an eager band of bike nuts who donate their time and energy to make the Wheelmen thrive.

Join us!

active
Join the Rapid Wheelmen