In a seriously amended pandemic season, we finally had an opportunity to enter athletes in the elite, amateur women, and men's master's races at a Pennsylvania criterium event. Thank you to the Pickle Juice Women's Cycling Team for making the heroic effort to host the Pottstown Bike Race while implementing an aggressive SARS CoV-2 mitigation strategy for participants and spectators. We all understand the difficulty you faced and voluntarily took on and we are so appreciative. Also, a note of thanks to racer/photographer Ron Short who year-in-and-out provides us with the ability to bring the racing action to our supporters and sponsors at home.

Dr. Jackie Lewis, an expert from our sponsors at ARCCA Experts in Newtown, PA is a team member of special note. A former Division 1A collegiate athlete, 2020 was Jackie's first season of bicycle racing. Last year we stood on the barriers in Doylestown together as she expressed her desire to be on the start line at the 2020 Bucks County Classic Women's 3/4 race. While world events altered those goals, Jackie took advantage of a limited schedule to get some races and successes under her belt and gain an understanding of what the off-season will require to meet the goal of finishing the 2021 Bucks County Classic. While Sunday in Pottstown wasn't her day, congratulations on her efforts this year and we can't wait to celebrate together in Doylestown next year.

In cycling culture, the "patron" is the "boss of the peloton." That veteran racer who commands respect and is the unspoken leader. In our community, that person is Mike Bowe and we refer to him as the "The Captain." Mike has played a central role in maintaining the historic "Wednesday/Saturday Group Ride" in Doylestown for several decades. He decides the route, makes sure new folks are welcome, and controls the pace. Sunday, he raced the Men's Master's Race (55 years +) with teammate Rob Beighley (Buckingham) a partners at our sponsors at the Solebury Club. This race also served as the Pennsylvania State Championships and we are proud to report that Rob finished 3rd with the support of Mike who finished 6th. Congratulations to both.

Sam Smith (Doylestown), Colin Fitzgerald (Orefield) and Andy Dudle (Emmaus) represented our elite program in the Category 1-2-3 race at Pottstown, which also served as the Pennsylvania State Championship. In an effort that will leave us wondering "what could have been" Colin and Sam climbed the podium in 2nd and 3rd place respectively. Our team will be meeting virtually next week to discuss a plan to take over the world in 2021 and we hope you'll come along for the ride.