As a bonus for members, Fats in the Cats is having a benefit raffle. We have great prizes to give away thanks to our friends at Western Spirit Cycling, Dakine and Specialized Bikes. The winners will be picked during the club trip to the Kingdom Trails on July 18, 2008. All proceeds of the raffle go to help build and maintain trails, and for cycling advocacy in New York State.

Prizes

The Grand Prize is a 4-day guided trip for two on the White Rim Trail in Moab Utah thanks to Western Spirit Cycling. The trip is an amazing 4 days riding inside Canyonlands National Park and has been called one of the top riding destinations in the world. Check out more information about this trip at the link below. This trip is for two is worth $1,600! http://www.westernspirit.com/tripinfo.cfm?id=1198808699265

The Second Place Prize is a great pack from our friends at Dakine. We have 3 packs to give away, two hydration packs (one guy and one for girls) and a messenger bag. Each bag is valued at more than $100.

The Third Place Prize are mountain bike gloves from Dakine or you get to pick a prize from the Swag Rummage. We have a pile of shorts, jerseys and other stuff thanks to Specialized Bikes. We have 8 third place prizes to give away.

How to enter the raffle:

• Every member that joins the club before July 18th 2008 gets one entry.

• Every member that gets a friend to join by 18 July 2008 gets one entry. Just have your friend join the club at www.fatsinthecats.com, and put your name in ‘Referred by an existing member’. You and your friend will each get one entry to the raffle.

• Any member can buy more raffle entries for just $5. Just go to this page. There is no limit to the number of entries you can buy.

Rules

• Only members of Fats in the Cats who have paid their dues in 2008 are eligible to win prizes.

• Prizes will be chosen on July 18th 2008. You do not need to be present to win.

• Winners will receive a tax form for the retail value of the prize. The taxable value of the Grand Prize is $1,590.

• The winner of the Grand Prize is responsible for all costs for the trip including other than the guided trip with Western Spirit Cycling, including transport to and from Moab, Utah, lodging, meals, tips and taxes. The trip is not transferable and will be void if sold. The trip must be booked in 2008 and must be taken in 2008 or 2009. If the winner chooses not to take the White Rim trip the cost of the trip can be put towards another Western Spirit Trip solely on the decision of Western Spirit Cycling.

• The organizers of the raffle are not eligible to win any prizes. All other club members are eligible.

The new Catskill Park State Land Draft Master Plan includes several improvements that will protect and enhance mountain biking. The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) needs your support if these bike-friendly provisions are to be included in the final plan.

One of DEC’s best policies is the new Primitive Bicycle Corridor, which will allow continued riding in wild lands. Mountain bikers will maintain access to important connector trails between communities and larger backcountry loops through the park.

Mountain bikers need to support this clear understanding of bicycling as a quiet, human-powered, low-impact activity compatible with wild and endeveloped areas.

Take Action! Tell DEC you support their bike-friendly policies in Catskill Park. The deadline for comments is May 19, 2008.

Additional information, including a copy of the draft plan, is available online.

Read the first Hyde Park Trails Newsletter with an article by Fats member Frank Hildenbrand. His active involvement in cycling advocacy in Hyde Park will only bring more good opportunities.
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Link: Read about Russell, Ray & Suzanne’s delivery!
Link: Delivery Pictures

Daily Freeman Coverage:

Discuss in the forums…

The annual Christmas Ride route is in the making. Seasonal Costumes are always welcome and encouraged! We’ve had dozens of Santa’s and his Helpers, Elves, a Grinch, a Scrooge, and even a Christmas Tree. And if we’re lucky, Santa Steve will bring his trusty (or is it rusty?) reindeer out of the barn for another Holiday Ride.

Put on your Santa suit (the more the merrier) and as many battery operated lights and decorations on your bike for the ride around the streets of beautiful Kingston spreading Holiday Cheer while we distribute gifts to our adopted families and to children at a local Shelter. Our route will take us by homes to view Holiday Decorations as we are our own “Parade of Lights”!

And please feel free to bring along some extra wrapped gifts (just mark them boy or girl) to give to children who we meet along the way. Past experience has shown that we attract a lot of attention as we ride through the streets.

See you there,
Santa Prez

WHERE: Meet at Kingston Plaza (NEAR Kingston Physical Therapy) 340 Plaza Road
WHEN: Saturday December 15th (rain date 12/22)
TIME: 5:00 pm; the ride leaves the parking lot at 5:30 sharp.
WHO SHOULD COME: Members of the Fats in the Cats Bicycle Club (if you are not yet a member of the club you must bring a filled out member application. Find Russell, Suzanne, or Ray and hand it in)
RIDE INFO: We’ll leave the Kingston Plaza parking lot for about two and a half hours of riding the streets of Kingston. Along the way we’ll hoot & holler at some of the best decorated houses in town. We’ll also be stopping at our adopted families’ homes and to a local shelter to hand out some gifts. Around 8:00 we’ll be back at Kingston Plaza. That may be the time to pick up a slice of pizza and end the official club ride. Then, who knows…some brave souls may just head back out on the road to spread some more holiday cheer?
WHAT TO BRING: It is suggested that you bring the following: A lock for your bike (for any stops during or after our club ride). Money (if you need to make a purchase along the way). Dress warm (it’s cold out there). A camera. Lights on your bike (for that holiday look, be creative!). Spare tape or zip ties (in case your lights start to fall off). Extra wrapped (inexpensive) gifts for kids