New Singletrack Trailhead Established

When you go to use the Socorro Singletrack, please don't use the old trailhead, at the place where you have to climb over the fence. You'd notice that the fence is back in place, and the old trail is destroyed anyway. On the March 1^st maintenance day, a total of 17 volunteers, about 2/3 of which were SSR members, created a whole new trail section from near the old trailhead to the gate 2/10-mile to the north. A separate crew did maintenance on the old trail, sweeping, fixing eroded sections, and putting in water breaks.

Special thanks go to Brad Cromey and Robert Abernathy, both of EMRTC, for taking the initiative when the EMRTC management made their desires clear. It is our understanding that the use of the singletrack is now OK, so long as riders stay on the existing trails and stay off the EMRTC ranges. Robert is working on getting that in writing.

Relay For Life Survey

Our discussion of Relay For Life fundraisers at the March meeting led to a suggestion that SSR resolve to donate a fixed percentage of event proceeds to the Relay cause. We'd like to know what you think: please fill out this survey form.

For those who don't already know, the Relay For Life is an American Cancer Society fundraising event for the whole community. The participants are organized into teams, such as the team SSR has with Trex Enterprises. Most money is raised by the teams before the Relay, while the Relay is an 18-hour overnight event that demonstrates the theme that "Cancer Never Sleeps."

The Relay itself will be June 13-14, 2003. For you triathletes, that's the weekend after the Milkman Triathlon. There is a $10 registration fee per team member, and the goal is for each team member to raise $100. Luminarias and star/crescent moon signs are available now; contact Fred Yarger or Camille Scliezi for more information.

March Meeting Recap

The March regular club meeting was held on Tuesday, March 4^th, at the Public Library. We discussed the upcoming Shelter Shuffle and the Relay For Life, among other things. The complete minutes are posted here.

NM Highway Department Representative Offers To Speak

Would you come to a talk by a New Mexico State Highway And Transportation Department representative? Greg White, the NMSHTD representative on the state's Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Equestrian committee, would like to come to Socorro and talk to SSR about cycling issues. This is a good opportunity for you to make your voice heard about highway issue, bicycle commuting, or anything else you'd like to happen within the highway department.

We have not yet scheduled Mr. White, but we've been thinking of the regular meeting on April 3^rd. If you are interested, or if you'd be interested at another time, please contact Matt Perini. I (Matt) am personally interested in hearing what the highway department can do about the poor shoulders on Highway 60, however, I don't want Mr. White to make the trip to Socorro if I'm the only one who wants to talk to him. Please let me know.

Dickerson Wins March Handicap

The second race of the spring handicap series was held on Thursday, March 6^th, under perfect conditions on the Low Flow Channel road east of Socorro. Eight runners started, with Bill Brundage up front, and Tyler Haughness chasing at about 25 minutes back. Joe Dickerson pulled into the lead with about 1/4-mile to go, and held off a hard-charging Tyler for the victory. All the runners thought that the race was a little longer than 10K, and the times showed it, and so the handicaps will be adjusted on a later race. Thanks to Robert for organizing another fun race!

Place	Name	Time	Handicap	Points	Total
1	Joe Dickerson	0:51:13	79.5	10	14
2	Tyler Haughness	0:39:57	47.5	9	14
3	Christian Krueger	0:42:41	56.0	8	9
4	Matt Perini	0:59:57	97.0	7	8
5	Bill Brundage	1:06:08	105.0	6	6
6	Gerry Strathman	0:55:05	81.0	5	5
7	Linda Geisen	1:00:48	92.0	4	4
8	Fred Yarger	1:06:44	103.0	3	4
NA	Laura Wilcox	DNS	78.0	0	3
NA	Nathan Heronen	DNS	84.0	0	2
NA	Shawn West	DNS	83.5	0	1

The next race will also be a 10K handicap, and it will be held on Thursday, April 3^rd. The exact time and place will be announced later on this web page.

White Sands Century Information

The White Sands Missile Range will be hosting a century ride on April 12^th. The ride, which the sponsors emphasize is "not a race," begins between 7:00 and 8:00 AM at the Tularosa High School football field parking lot, and ends at the same location. All riders will be picked up by 6:00 PM.

The ride itself will be held on the roads inside the missile range. There will be water, energy drinks, and fruit at the 26, 50, and 79 mile points. Lunch will be provided at the midpoint. Photography is not permitted. Entry fee is $25, and there is no day-of-event registration. An online entry form is available at www.zianet.com/vinyard.

Mountain Bike Picture Rally On May 3

Robert Abernathy is planning a fun, family-oriented, event for May 3^rd, a "Mountain Bike Picture Rally." The picture rally concept is based on the same sort of event for car or motorcycle clubs, where you're given a set of numbered photos, and you attempt to visit each place where a photo was taken. In our case, each photo may contain a different view of M Mountain, and you'll be following trails and streets in the Socorro area, until you arrive at the party at the end. More details on what to bring and where to meet will be coming on this web site.

Regular Rides and Runs Around Socorro

These are not SSR-sponsored club events!

• Cycling (Road): MWF 11:30 AM, meet at the IRIS Parking Lot.
• Cycling (MTB): Friday 11:30 AM, meet at the IRIS Parking Lot.
• Running: SSR Sunday social run, meet at Tech pool parking lot, 8AM Sundays.

Like to start a new regular run or ride? Contact Matt Perini to get it listed here.