Hey CVC'rs,
We have set the sun on another edition of Cruisin' the Conejo, our 30th, and it it was a great success. Across the board, we have had folks raving about what a great time they had. I saw so many returning faces and a whole slew of new ones. We tried new things, like the CVC Ice Cream rest stop near Wildwood park that was a huge hit with our riders, and an organized start at the top of the respective starting hours that was also a lot of fun for the riders and for those watching. Again, our expo was top notch and probably one of the best I've seen at any regional level ride of our size (and trumping many national level operations to boot), our Beer Garden (a great place for riders to relax and cool down) was full all afternoon, and our lunch, served up by the Cub Scouts was so yummy, and satisfying. Out on the routes, we had something for everyone. The Boy Scouts did an incredible job of supporting our rest stops and feeding & fueling our riders. They also act as bike valets at the stops, and as usual, our riders ate it up. Our Sag teams were out in force with their HAMM radio counterparts from CVARC and VCARS, making sure everyone was safe, repaired and accounted for.
All this only happens with the help of all the volunteers that come out from the CVC, the Scouts and the cycing community in general. Sheri already sent out a big thanks to the volunteers and I echo her sentiment and thanks. There are a few folks that go beyond the call of duty-they get there at the crack of dawn and are the last to leave, some do it year after year. People like Phil Callen, Lou Carson, Dale Smith-your CVC Secretary, Sheila Sherwyn, Steve Vertrees and so many others that I am failing to mention. Some others are newer folks that jump in and get it done like Jerry Scott, Big Matt, and David Kovisto. As I mentioned, I know I am missing so many.
Other people that also make Cruisin' such a huge success are those at the core of the operation. These are the behind the scenes folks who are the heartbeat of Cruisin', with literally thousands of collective hours of work committed to making this ride the BEST event to be found. Let me mention them;
We had the retirement of Debbie O'Meara last year (and I thank her for her many years of service), so we had to find a new registration captain (a complex job), and did we ever, Cathey Sternstien stepped in and did a terrific job. Another newcomer in a complicated role was Keen Reed stepping in as SAG captain. Also thanks the Beth McElhenny who was your rest stop captain, to Jim Doane for coordination of the raffle and all the prizes, to Cam Young your CVC Ride Director for doing a great job of getting our routes marked, and to Caitlin Steele, your CVC Treasurer who makes sure the money is flowing. A huge thanks goes out to my wife, Sheri Leiken-your CVC Membership Director, who coordinated all of the volunteers, taught those who needed to learn their jobs, and just made sure it was all going the right direction. Another huge thanks goes to Henry Montalvo, who as your CVC President, made sure we were keeping the ride within budget, worked tirelessly on the marketing and sponsors and, as always, kept up a prescribed level of levity and fun. The biggest thanks go to the man that I lovingly refer to as the mad scientist of the operation (and whom from from Jan-May, Sheri refers to as my other wife), the guy that absolutely makes sure it all happens,(websites marketing,newsletters,insurance, all the insane details) and happens really well, my Cruisin' Co-director, Lee Cole. Lee puts more time into this ride than any other person ever has, and does an astoundingly stellar job of it.
I couldn't ask for a better group of people to be involved with, and I am extremely proud to be part of this thing we call Cruisin' and part of the CVC.
Sincerely and Gratefully, Kent Koral Co-Director Cruisin' the Conejo