Husky Cycling to Host Mayor McGinn

Under the leadership of former team president Danny Koski-Karell, Husky Cycling grew quite a bit over the last few years– to over 100 active members with a range of cycling skills and ambitions. Indeed, Husky Cycling now provides opportunities in all cycling disciplines, and at all skill and experience levels to UW students, staff, and faculty. In addition to cultivating a vibrant recreational year-round riding scene, Husky Cycling fields powerhouse road, track, cyclocross, and mountainbike teams with regional and national championship titles.

Now under the leadership of Gennie Gebhart, the Huskies have just finished an exceptional competitive season including these highlights at the nationals:

Grant Boursaw (senior): Men’s individual champion at the Marymoor Velodrome two years running, and at his final national competition he took:
-1st, Flying Time Trial
-3rd, Sprint
-2nd, Kilo Time Trial
-1st, overall men’s individual champion

Kelly Plese (freshman): One of the youngest racers in her field, is considered a local track cycling phenomenon and was an individual champion at the Marymoor Velodrome. She just won a national medal for UW before ever even taking a class by taking 4th in the 3k Pursuit.

Davis Shepherd (senior): A track rookie last season, but has risen to the elite field in a single season, and took 3rd in the national points race.

As a bit of a kick-off to the 2011-12 season, this coming Saturday October 15th Husky Cycling will host Mayor Mike McGinn for a low-key meet-and-greet and a short presentation before their weekly Saturday morning ride. They expect a turnout of 50-100 cyclists, and non-Husky riders are welcome to participate in both parts of the event.

Husky Cycling will provide free coffee and pastries from their sponsor Revolutions Espresso.

Before the group ride, the Huskies will publicly thank Mayor McGinn for his work on cycling in Seattle and induct him as an honorary member, complete with presenting him with his very own club-issue Husky Cycling jersey. And, since this event is so early in the academic year, they’re hoping it will be a fun and motivating experience for new members.

The Club has specifically reached out to Mayor McGinn in recognition of all the work that has been done, as well as all the work ahead, for cycling in Seattle. This event is a chance for members of Husky Cycling as well as members of the wider Seattle cycling community to get together before a weekend morning ride and consider our activity of choice not just as transportation or recreation or sport, but as a true privilege.

As Gennie says: “We are grateful to live in a city with the infrastructure to make cycling possible, and with the politicians like Mayor McGinn who make cycling and cyclists’ safety a priority. We are also grateful to be part of such a passionate cycling community that works tirelessly to support its riders and provide them with opportunities to ride. As a group with the stated mission of serving the University of Washington cycling community, the Husky Cycling Club’s job is made infinitely easier by the hard work of our city’s politicians and community leaders. We just want to give some thanks where it’s due!”

And to be clear, non-UW cyclists are welcome to join in the both the meet-and-greet with Mayor McGinn and the group ride.

When: October 15th at 9:30am
Where: Outside the Intramural Activities (IMA) Building at 3924 Montlake Blvd. NE
Contact: Genevieve Gebhart: gennie@uw.edu