Las Vegas Bicycling Community Website

JULY 2010 FEATURED MEMBER: TONY BENNETT

When you think of Las Vegas and the name Tony Bennett, you think Rat Pack.  But our Las Vegas cycling world has a totally different Tony Bennett…one that likes to wear spandex and volunteer at charity rides.

Tony Bennett, Long Time Cyclist & Las Vegas Valley Bike Club Member

It’s not very often that we talk about the cyclists in this town who have really helped to shape our local community.  I’m honored to feature Tony Bennett this month in our Who’s in Your Local Cycling Community Feature.

Dedication to our Community

Tony has been a cyclist since 2003.  He is a member of the Las Vegas Valley Bicycle Club, where he served as their Membership Director for the past 6 years, before officially retiring his position this year.  When I first met Tony, it was at the very 1st BikingLasVegas.com Pancake Breakfast at Great Harvest.  Anyone who knows Tony, knows that he’s an easy guy to talk to and you will take an instant liking to him.  I am one of those people.

Volunteers at Charity Rides

Tony volunteers with many of the local charity rides in town.  He enjoys the camaraderie of cycling and likes to do his part in making our events more fun.  He considers his volunteer work as one of his greatest accomplishments in cycling.  It’s rare to find a cyclist who will volunteer so much of their time as Tony does, but I’m glad he does.  Just recently during the last Tour de Fire, Tony handed me a frozen Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich, and at that moment in the ride, it was what kept me going on those tough climbs out at Lake Mead.  Funny how something so simple as a guy with a smile handing you a snack will make you feel that much better during a ride.

Other Notable Achievements in Cycling

Other achievement Tony credits to cycling is the 70 pounds he lost!  He also completed his first century ride in the Spring of 2005.  Using cycling to stay fit and healthy is definitely a way of life for Tony.

Advice for New Cyclists:

As the former membership director of the LVVBC, I asked Tony what kind of advice he would give to new cyclists.  What he feels is the most important piece of advice is to learn the rules of the road, obey ride leaders instructions, and NEVER assume a motorist sees you.  Tony knows from his years of experience on the bike, just how important bicycle safety is.

Send Tony a Message

A special thanks goes out to Tony for all of his hard work and dedication he puts into our local cycling community.   His efforts are greatly appreciated.

Want to send your own message to Tony?

Feel free to post a comment to Tony below…or send him a private message through the website.  Let’s start thanking the people who have made our place a better place to pedal.

Send a private message to Tony by clicking here.

NOMINATE A MEMBER OF OUR CYCLING COMMUNITY TO BE FEATURED:

If you want to nominate someone to be spotlighted in the “Who’s in your Local Cycling Community?” feature, please feel free to email me your nominations with a description of why you think they should be featured. Let’s start showing the rest of the world just how great Las Vegas cyclists really are!

You can send your nomination via email or through the website contact form.

The Ride of Silence is an International Event where every bicycle club or group takes one day out of the year to honor those cyclists who have been killed while riding their bikes on the roadways.  The Las Vegas Valley Bicycle Club hosts the Las Vegas event each year and they are inviting out ALL cyclists from any club or team to come out and show your support to our fallen brothers and sisters.

8th Annual Las Vegas International Ride of Silence

Contact: James C. Little
Phone: (702) 480-1331

Distance: 15 miles on public roads and streets in western Las Vegas
Starting Location:  Meet in the parking lot on West Sahara near the Southwest corner of West Sahara and South Decatur

Notes: The Eighth Annual International Ride of Silence - Las Vegas on Wednesday May 19th will meet in the parking lot on West Sahara near the Southwest corner of West Sahara and South Decatur. Registration will begin at 6:00 P.M. and continue until about 6:45. All riders will please sign the Ride of Silence and Las Vegas Valley Bicycle Club ride waivers. There will be a short riders meeting and opening comments with the ride beginning at 7:00 P.M. We will be riding with thousands of others in this annual worldwide cycling awareness event.

Bicycle helmets are required to be worn during the ride. Bicycles will be equipped front and rear with sufficient lighting for night conditions according to state law. Lighting will be turned on for the entire ride. Bicycles will also be equipped with a spare tire tube, flat changing equipment and a tire inflation device. It is suggested that riders have at least one water bottle for hydration because the first portion of the ride is usually warm.

The route is on public streets in partially night conditions, so it is recommended that young riders do not participate. Any rider under the age of 18 will be accompanied on the ride by a parent or guardian and they will take full responsibility for the rider.

The ride speed will be under 12 MPH and will take approximately one and a half hours to complete. Please notify the ride leader(s) if you have a flat tire or mechanical problems along the route. There will be catch up points along the route at the discretion of the ride leader(s). We will endeavor not to leave anyone behind.

Bicycle laws will be obeyed with the riders stopping at traffic signals and stop signs. Those riders not obeying the Nevada Bicycle Statutes or ride leader(s) directions will be asked to leave.

The ride will be conducted in silence with the exception of rider signals for safety issues such as stopping, debris or obstacle call outs. Cell phones and Blue Tooth devices will be on silent modes and carried for emergency use only. This cycling event is to honor those cyclists who have lost their lives due to motor vehicle accidents during the last twelve months and is done in silence for respect and personal reflection. This is not the time for visiting with others or talking on the telephone.

For more information on the International Ride of Silence, visit the website:
http://www.rideofsilence.org/main.php

For more information on the Las Vegas Valley Bicycle Club, visit their website:
http://www.lasvegasbikeclub.org

I just received word from Donna Webster of the Las Vegas Valley Bicycle Club that our friend Jerry Williams passed away June 10th, 2009 as a result of a bike accident in Evanston, IL.  Jerry has been a long time cyclist in Las Vegas.  He would spend his summers in Evanston, IL and the rest of the year here in Las Vegas.

Jerry was a wonderful man, warm and caring, a true cyclist in every sense of the word.  When I first met him, I was riding the Tour de Las Vegas event and I got lost and didn’t have a route sheet.  He told me to follow his group…and then he blew me out of the water.  He was so fast that I couldn’t keep up and I lost his group too.  I will certainly miss him and I am praying for his family in this time of mourning.  Jerry…Rest in peace, we will all miss you.

Obituary Posting from the Chicago Tribune:

Gerald O. Williams, 81, loving husband of Joan, nee Kotler; beloved father of Ron (Robin), Gary, Judy (Ollie) Killheffer, Rob (Terri) and Amy (Dick) Franks; fond grandfather of nine. Funeral Services and Interment private. Arrangements by Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home, 773-736-3833.

Link to the Funeral Home where you can light an online candle to honor Jerry:
http://www.smithcorcoran.com/obits/obituaries.php/obitID/203206