Fellow UMCA Members,

Ken riding BMB 2006.

The resignation letters from Jeff Stephens and George Thomas (below) created two vacancies on the Board of Directors. Per the UMCA Bylaws, the Board can elect two individuals to serve as Directors until Board certifies the results of the current election of Directors.

I am pleased to report that the Board of Directors has elected two accomplished and highly regarded ultracyclists to temporarily fill the two Directorships. The vote was 12-1 with no abstentions.

Ken Bonner, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Ken, a UMCA member for over a dozen years, is a cycling and athletic legend, interspersing 1200k's in between running marathons, riding 1000k's the next weekend and organizing events. In both 2005 and 2006, Ken rode all four 1200k's available in North America. In 2006, this included the VanIsle 1200k he organized himself. In 2005 he managed 18,495 miles in the UMCA Mileage Challenge, easily the highest mileage for that year, and in 2006, he logged 31,137 miles, to achieve his goal of breaking 50,000km and easily set a new record for this UMCA program. Ken is a Contributing Editor for UltraCycling, writing articles on equipment and randonneuring. All who've met Ken are struck by his genial nature combined with incisive judgment, a pleasure to deal with, a valued contributor to any endeavor, and a true gentleman.

Merry Vander Linden (L) and Nancy Guth after the 2005 Gold Rush 1200 km.

Merry Vander Linden, Bloomfield Hills, MI
Merry has also been a UMCA member for a dozen years. Since her first 24-hour race in 1995 she's grown from a recreational rider to an ultracyclist, with increasing involvement in racing, crewing, and randonneuring. Last year Merry chaired the committee to attract more women to the Ultracycling Cup Competition. Through the committee's efforts participation grew from nine in 2005 to 20 in 2007. She also chaired the committee to define the selection process and criteria for the Anne Marie McSweeney scholarships for women cyclists and she participated in the selection committee. Merry is a Contributing Editor and Photographer for UltraCycling.

Chris Hopkinson, Byron Grove, Stonebroom, Derbyshire, UK
As reported in the November-December UltraCycling Cat Berge resigned her Directorship in early December. The Board unanimously elected Chris Hopkinson to replace her.

In 2005 Chris was the first Brit ever to finish solo RAAM. After the 2004 Sebring 24-hour the headline was "Brit Blows Away Sebring" — Chris won with 431.8 miles, the first person to qualify for RAAM at Sebring. Chris had made a great comeback. In 2001 he won the British Long Distance Best All-Rounder based on his 100 mile, 12-hour and 24-hour time trials. Two months later he shattered the head of his femur and was told he would never walk again. Chris "the Hoppo" also holds the Missouri west east and east to west records, as well as the Texas 24-Hour Time Trial record of 400.2 miles.

In 2006 the Hoppo achieved a lifetime goal of racing over 500 miles in a 24-hour race. Racing with his friends Marko Baloh & Juré Robic, the Hoppo covered 522 miles in the Kraftwerk drafting 24-hour event. Then in September he set a non-drafting personal best of 450 miles in the North American 24-Hour Championship. Chris represents the UMCA in northern Europe and is helping to organize the World Cup and European Cup series. Chris is a music teacher and is married to Helen McDermott.

Joe Jamison congratulates Chris Hopkinson (in pink) after the 2006 UltraMidwest 24-hour race

Ken, Merry and Chris each have a history of giving back to the sport and bring welcome perspectives to the Board.

Thomas was the Vice President when he resigned and Stephens was the Treasurer. Per the Bylaws the President may appoint interim officers to continue to carry out the Board's business.

I am pleased to announce the following Officer appointments:

Joe Jamison, Vice President, East Moline, IL.
Joe represents the RAAM Qualifier Directors on the Board. Since 2003 he has served as chair of the Ultracycling Cup Competition, during which time participation has grown from 46 riders to 110! Joe and Dave Parker organize the UltraMidwest events. Joe discovered ultracycling when he watched Lon Haldeman in RAAM 1983 cross the bridge over the Mississippi between Davenport, IA and Rock Island, IL. Since then he's been an official finisher at Boston-Montreal-Boston, Paris-Brest-Paris (twice), Bicycle Across Missouri (twice) and several 24-hour events. With the Vice Presidency comes the weighty chairmanship of the Program Committee, which Joe will adeptly manage.

Jerry Segal, Treasurer, Indianapolis, IN
Jerry has been on the Finance Committee since the UMCA incorporated at the end of 2002 and brings a deep financial background, including experience with non-profits. He holds an MBA from Indiana University and has been a Certified Public Accountant for 40 years. Since 1991 has been the Chief Financial Officer of a large public charity (501c3), Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis, Inc. Jerry was early member of RUSA (#514) and did brevets but did not go to France. In 2000 he served on Keith Krombel's RAAM crew. He is in the second year of a three-year term on the Board of Directors of Central Indiana Bicycle Association (CIBA), a 2,000-member bicycle club in central Indiana, and is past president of the CIBA Foundation, the separate charitable foundation of CIBA.

The appointments are until the next Board is seated and elects new officers.

Jeff Stephens resignation e-mail
Monday, December 11
John Lee & all Directors,

I hereby resign my position on the UMCA Board of Directors effective immediately. As you are aware from the e-mail yesterday, I've agreed to join the RAAM operating co. in a professional capacity. This creates a conflict of interest for me as a Board Member of the UMCA. I feel I can ultimately serve the ultra cycling community better in the long-term by trying to add value to RAAM.

The financial situation of the UMCA is sound. John Lee and fellow members of the Finance Committee (particularly Committee members at large, Jerry Segal and Dave Buzzee) are abreast of our current financial position. I will remain available and forthcoming for any questions regarding the finances of the organization.

It has been a pleasure to serve the members of the UMCA for the past four years. We've accomplished a great deal on behalf of our constituency. I am honored to have worked with you all in our capacity as stewards of the UMCA.

Jeff

George Thomas resignation e-mail
Monday, January 8
To my fellow board members,

After a lot of soul searching I have decided to resign from the UMCA Board. With our new baby, change of jobs, starting school, working a second job, growing RAO, LLC and more I am not able to put in the time and effort required to do the job representing our membership that it deserves. I joined the UMCA in 1993 thanks to RAAM. I continued as a member because I love ultra racing as well as putting on ultra events. I've enjoyed my tenure as RAAM Qualifier rep as well as elected board member however I do not believe I can serve effectively any longer.

Best,
George