Oklahoma Bicycle Society FAQ
These are some of the questions that are asked most often about OBS. If you have questions that are not answered here, please feel free to contact John Wente.
Is there any cost to join
OBS?
Can minors join OBS?
How can I join OBS?
Is club membership required to join an OBS ride?
Is club membership required to attend OBS meetings?
Is club membership required to attend OBS social functions?
What do I get for my $20 annual dues?
Why does OBS have annual dues?
What are the duties and obligations of an OBS member?
How long has OBS been around?
Is OBS affiliated with any national cycling organizations?
How many club officials are there and who are they?
How much does OBS pay its officers, ride leaders and other officials?
Are there very many female members?
Is OBS strictly a road cycling club?
Is OBS a racing club?
Does OBS sponsor any races?
Does OBS sponsor any annual events?
I'm interested in becoming a club officer, ride leader or volunteer; who do
I contact about that?
Does OBS have any kind of e-mail news group or anything of that sort?
I'm not an OBS member, but I have a bicycle or some cycling gear I need to
sell. Can I advertise it in your newsletter?
Yes, annual dues are $20. One membership covers all cyclists in a family.
[back to top]
Can minors join OBS?
Yes, the only requirement is that a parent or legal guardian must sign the membership
form. Children under 16 must be accompanied on rides by an adult.
[back to top]
How can I join OBS?
Get a membership form here, fill it out and send it to the
address shown on the form along with a check for $20 made out to OBS.
[back to top]
Is club membership required to join an
OBS ride?
No, all cyclists ride safely and wear a helmet are invited to join any OBS ride. The only
exception to this is the annual OBS Grand Tour. This tour is open to club members only.
Please review the ride characteristics (pace, terrain, distance)
before joining a ride and make sure you choose a ride consistent with your cycling
abilities.
[back to top]
Is club membership required to attend OBS
meetings?
No. Everyone with an interest in cycling is invited to attend any and all of our meetings.
This is a good way for anyone interested in cycling to meet other cyclists, ask questions,
learn more about our club, etc.
[back to top]
Is club membership required to attend OBS
social functions?
No. OBS social events (parties) are open to anyone. This is a good way for anyone
interested in cycling to meet other cyclists, ask questions, learn more about our club,
etc.
[back to top]
What
do I get for my $20 annual dues?
All members receive a monthly newsletter, the Pathfinder, discounts at some bike
shops in the OKC area, and free advertising in the newsletter. But the most important
benefits are less tangible: the pleasure of association with other cyclists whose
interests are similar to your own, involvement in a club that supports cycling safety and
is active in advocating the rights of cyclists with local, state and national governments
and an enhanced opportunity to mentor individuals who are new to the sport.
[back to top]
Why does OBS have annual dues?
The dues are kept to an absolute minimum. OBS is a not-for-profit organization, so there
is no motivation to make money. All club officers, committee members and ride leaders are
volunteers. The dues cover the expense of printing and mailing the newsletter, maintaining
the OBS website (cost of domain space only, domain name registration and site maintenance
are donated), cost of room rental for monthly meetings, and various other miscellaneous
club expenses.
[back to top]
What are the duties and obligations of an
OBS member?
There are no explicit duties. Members are not required to attend meetings or even
participate in OBS rides. Implied duties of all members are to ride safely, encourage
others to do the same and be a responsible representative of the club (and the sport of
cycling) in the community. Volunteering for the many club functions is encouraged for all
members, but is by no means required.
[back to top]
How long has OBS been around?
The club was organized in 1973 and has been in continuous operation ever since.
[back to top]
Is OBS affiliated with any national
cycling organizations?
Yes, OBS is an affiliate club of the League
of American Bicyclists (LAB) and Adventure
Cycling.
[back to top]
How many club officials are there and
who are they?
You can see a list of current OBS officers and committee chairpersons here.
[back to top]
How much does OBS pay its officers, ride
leaders and other officials?
Zero, zip, nada. OBS is strictly a volunteer organization. Uncle OBS needs YOU! Please
volunteer—everyone has something to contribute.
[back to top]
Are there very many female members?
Yes, quite a few. OBS has even had several female presidents. Ladies are encouraged to
join every bit as much as gentlemen.
[back to top]
Is OBS strictly a road cycling club?
OBS embraces, supports and encourages all forms of cycling. Many of our members ride
both on the roads and streets and off-road. However, our emphasis is road cycling.
Oklahoma City has an excellent mountain biking club, the Oklahoma Earthbike Fellowship, and
there is no need to duplicate their function.
[back to top]
Is
OBS a racing club?
Not specifically, no. There are many OBS members who race both recreationally and as
registered competitors. There are also many OBS members who are not involved in racing,
but just enjoy cycling in a more relaxed and casual manner. Just about every riding pace
imaginable is represented within our ranks. Virtually any road cyclist will find others of
similar abilities and preferences within the club membership. Here are some clubs in the
central Oklahoma area that focus primarily on road racing: Oklahoma City Velo Club, Eastside Road
Team, Canadian River Racing Club, Team Crunch. (see the Club List
page)
[back to top]
Does OBS sponsor any races?
No. The clubs mentioned in the question above do however. Check out their websites for
information. OBS does however sponsor and present an annual event known as the OBS Streak. This event, while
not officially a race, usually provides timing on the longer distances. The even is held
on an open course however, so all-out racing is really not possible.
[back to top]
Does OBS sponsor any annual events?
Yes. The OBS Streak is our
annual fall cycling event. In addition, we have three or four weekend touring events and an annual Grand Tour, a week long cycling tour which is usually held
out of state. From time to time, other events are held in addition to these. Also, a
sub-group within OBS, the OBS Geezers, organizes from one to
three events each year. Geezers-in-training or geezer wanabes are invited to join them.
[back to top]
I'm interested in becoming a club
officer, ride leader or volunteer; who do I contact about that?
Contact any club officer. We're always looking for volunteers.
Everyone has something to offer.
[back to top]
Does OBS have any kind of e-mail news
group or anything of that sort?
Yes, OBS has a quite active e-mail group list. Anyone with an interest in cycling may join
the list per directions found here. Club membership is not
required to join the list. Any list member may post to the list by sending messages to
ok-bike-society@yahoogroups.com. All members receive messages sent to that address. The
list does not support attachments. Posts must be cycling related. No forwarded messages
please.
[back to top]
I'm not an OBS member, but I have a
bicycle or some cycling gear I need to sell. Can I advertise it in your newsletter?
Yes, non-members may advertise any cycling-related items for a fee of $15. The ad will run
for three consecutive months or until the newsletter editor is notified that the item has
sold. Multiple items may be included in a single ad. Contact the newsletter
editor for details.
[back to top]
Oklahoma Bicycle Society:
(pagename)
created by John Wente
last modified:
February 17, 2007
URL: http://www.OklahomaBicycleSociety.com