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"Your the Grandfather of What?"

by Ron Glowczynski

Over the years, I developed a friendship, though unusual, with none other than, Dick Howard, fellow RCO member and the Grandfather of Mountain Biking in the RoVa. One day, after discussing his meeting with President Bush, I asked him, “Dick ole’ buddy, you are, of course, the Grandfather of Mountain Biking in the RoVa, but who is the Grandfather of Road Biking in the RoVa”?

My first thought would be the athletic legend Artie Levin, but Dick said, “Nope”. He informed me that Artie started cycling in 1972 and Dick started seven years earlier. Dick then said, "Well, I guess it's me! I am the Grandfather of Mountain AND Road Biking in the RoVa"!

This was just too much. Though my friend, Dick is obnoxious enough as the mountain biking grandfather and also as the Godfather of Homemade Sauerkraut, but to hold the road bike crown? Well, we can't let him be the road grandfather, too; unless he is that deserving! Besides, Dick said that the dual responsibility would be too much of a burdensome honor for anyone of his abundant modesty to bear.

So I am proposing a contest to select someone to be the "Grandfather or Grandmother of Road Biking in the RoVa".

Here are the rules:

1. Describe in at least 25 words, but no more than 200 words: Why do you deserve to be the Grandfather or Grandmother of Road Biking in the RoVa?
2. Must provide two references, not related to you, in order to validate your claim. Include their name, address, phone numbers, email, how long you’ve known them, and shoe size.
3. Your road biking existence must pre-date Dick Howard’s claim of 1965.
4. Submit a photo which will be used for the winner and runner-ups or other promotional needs.
5. And last, you must have an established continuous presence as a road biker in the RoVa (RoVa is Roanoke Virginia if you haven’t caught that yet). You are allowed up to two years of lapse time from your Roanoke presence, but you must be currently present.

The decision will be posted on the RCO webpage and on the list serve. All decisions by the judge are final and may be arbitrary and/or based on petty personality differences, cat fights, gossip, innuendo, jealousies or personal hygiene.

The winner will receive the honor to use the Grandfather or Grandmother of Road Biking of RoVa for eternity and a meal at Dick Howard’s favorite restaurant, Mac & Bob’s in the SaVa.

Have your entries email date stamped by June 30, 2006 and sent to:

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