The GCMBC met September 2^nd and reviewed the following reports: Treasurer, Membership, Adaptive Management, Student Membership, October Workday, December Social Events, Women’s Events, and other miscellaneous topics. The highlight of the meeting was the report on Women’s events by Amy Wilcox. Amy reflects on her and Carmen’s experiences while mountain biking with the guys. (See below)

Hello my name is Amy Wilcox

Some of you may know me as the female who is often seen with the vicious German Shepard. Who unlike myself is usually sucking wind. (But, trust me she loves it.) After being here for a year and a half. I have finally starting riding in the Tuesday night ride. For a while I was intimated with riding with a big group. It seemed like either me or my dog could not keep up.

I tip my hat to Carmen and Karen, for after hearing that they were riding with the Tuesday night riders, I decided to give it a try. But after riding with the big boys for the last 2 months I have come to find they are not quite so intimidating. For instance here are a few things I have learned.

A woman can kick a guy's butt in mountain bike riding, and her name is Willow Kerber. At least that is what the guys tell me. Carmen and I appear to know more trails than Chuck and Matt. That even after Ian Davidson won his Championship that his big head would still fit through the tight trees on the trails. A woman can rack herself just like a man. Carmen has found out that clipless pedals aren't so bad. I myself have learned that bikes will not climb trees. The easiest way to make the guys quit harassing us is to begin a discussion of 'womanly issues'. Guys usually don't mind females riding with them as long as we don't complain. So we have learned to complain amongst ourselves and out of their earshot.

Speaking of complaining, I can't tell you the number of excuses we hear as to why they cannot make it up a hill or over a log. Jason leads with the "My shorts got caught on my bike." We have found that it is much easier on our bodies to ALLOW the men to lead the way. They clean out the spider webs, and if we see them bust on an obstacle, we know to avoid it. We figure that if their testosterone loaded bodies can't do it, then we don't even want to try. Which brings up this fact "Don't ever attempt THE ROCK on the lake trail".

Girls, if you do have a wild hair to try something dangerous ask the guys to stand beside the obstacle and catch you if you start to fall. It does nothing but pets their egos, and you get a good cushion for the fall. Guys, when you are trying to get your girlfriend interested in Mountain Bike Riding, don't start them out on the Lake Trail. If you need a route to take them on, please feel free to talk to Carmen and myself, and we will be glad to advise.

Biking is a great way to meet men, if you like them smelly and dirty. On the upside of this, guys don't care about what you look like. All they care about is that you are a girl on a bike. In the long run, we appreciate the men riders because we probably would never have gotten to the point where we are today.

NEXT GCMBC MEETING

Thursday November 4, 1999, 7:30p.m. Central-Clemson Library Hwy 93.

Reports and topics for discussion:

Minutes                                                Amy Wilcox

Treasurer Report                                Scott Snape

Membership Report                             Scott Snape

December Trail Work                           Ian Davidson

December Social Events                      Heather Schaffer

Women’s Events                                 Amy Wilcox

Student Member Report                     Josh/Craig/Jeff

Web Page Changes                             Scott Snape

Other Topics                                        Open

HUNTING SEASON AND YOUR SAFETY

We will meet at Old Six Mile Road at the entrance to Doyle Bottom Road. Misc repairs, stabilization, and possible minor rerouting will be done to the end of Triple Creek Trail and Detour Trail. Bring appropriate tools and please be punctual as the trail work area is not easily accessible.

Saturday, December 11, 1999 4:00-8:00p.m.

At the home of Josh and Heather K. Schaffer, 333 Sitton Drive in Pendleton. Call for directions at 646-9239. This will be a pot luck bring and share diner and party. Please RSVP either Heather at 646-9239, or Amy at 654-4564 to coordinate what dish or drink you may bring to share. Last years party was fun and we looking forward to this year.

TUESDAY NIGHT RIDE

The Tuesday night ride now completely in the dark with lights has continued to be a popular outing even as cooler weather has arrived. Amy, Carmen, Michael, Brian, Eric, Ricky, Scott, John, Mark, and with others joining them periodically have consistently been the nucleus of the group ride for two hours of enjoying the trails in Issaqueena.