Friday, November 10, 2006

Brian Kullman 1967 - 2006




Brian Wayne Kullman
The King of the Mountains


My first memory of BK dates back to the Pigeon Lake road race in 2003. It was a cold and rainy day that didn’t exactly have me jumping for joy. I had warmed up with some other Synergists by doing laps up and down the highway but this didn’t prove to be enough as the race started fast and I got dropped on the first hill. I rode on alone for awhile before BK caught up to me. He slowed down and picked me up and we rode the rest of the race together. He could have easily dropped me and ridden on with faster groups that caught up to us but he didn’t. No matter how I was riding, he stayed with me until the end of the race.

This selfless nature has continued over the years as BK and I became better friends and trained and rode together more frequently. Whether we were going for a training ride, cross-country skiing or even racing, BK was always there to make sure his friends and team mates were taken care of. If you needed anything, he would do his best to help you out. Got a flat tire right before a race? No problem, here’s my bike. Hands cold on a winter ride? No problem, here are my gloves. Cracking after a long ride? No problem, here is my energy bar. BK never let you suffer if he could help you out.

BK was one of those weird guys (weird to a heavy track guy like me) who loved to climb. At training camp in Tucson, Brian was always happiest on days when there would be a few hours of climbing to be had. I’m pretty sure that if he lived in Tucson, he’d climb Mt. Lemmon on a weekly basis. His favourite race has always been the Mount Norquay Hill Climb and this year he put in a great time and claimed second place. I think that some of the credit for that can go to Brian’s rigorous training regime that included numerous rides in his Birkenstock sandals. Nothing toughens you up quite like a long, hard ride while wearing sandals, with black socks of course, atop your clipless pedals.

Brian’s passion for climbing was fuelled by his undying love of all things bike tech. If there was something new or cool to be seen or had, I could count on him to know all about it and likely have it on his bike already. Saves you 5g? I’ll take it! Won’t be available in North American until next year? I’ll take it! Looks so cool? I’ll take it. As a fellow bike geek trapped in the cold of Calgary, news of cool new gear always cheered me up.

Brian took this same all in approach to everything he did. If there was an inside scoop or trick to it, he would figure it out. What was really great about him is that he would then share this information with you. As a result of all this, Brian pulled the second best espresso shot in town, not bad for a guy does it for a hobby. I was fortunate enough to enjoy plenty of fine espressos in BK’s kitchen over the years and always looked forward to them.

Brian was a great man, loving friend and avid cyclist. He will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him. Brian always had a great big smile on his face and did his best to make sure you left with one too, even if that took chasing you down and hugging you. He offered never ending support and encouragement to everyone in the cycling scene and helped me out on many occasions. I will miss our weekly roller training sessions, espresso shots, and bike geekery but most of all I will miss one of my closest and best friends. I hope that wherever Brian is, he is enjoying long climbs over perfect roads with a never ending tail wind. We’ll miss you Brian.

Jon Keech
Synergy Racing Cycle Club

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

ABA Award Winners

Congratulations to our individual Journal Cup winners: Natasha Kuzmak (Women A), Felix Haspel (Cat 1/2), Frank Kovacs (Cat 3 -- oops! Sorry Frank!) and Sherwood Plant (Cat 5).

As mentioned before, Synergy received the Journal Cup team award for 2006 with a total of 1094 points!

Full Journal Cup results here.
Full ABA Award recipient list here.

Good work, everyone!

Sunday, November 05, 2006

Synergy Award Winners and AGM minutes

The Synergy AGM was held on Thursday, November 2nd at the Calgary Area Outdoor Council office, 1111 Memorial Drive NW in Calgary.

AGM minutes:

Meeting called: 18:10

In attendance: Craig G, Mike P, Sherwood P, John P, Jon K, Craig D, Felix H, Natasha, Reid, cp, Cyrus K, BK, Liane A

President's report:
- good group dynamics, lots of helping out each other.
- good ratio of U22s for 2006, but need to recruit more U22s for 2007 season.
- Team was awarded ABA Journal Cup team award again (first place)! Our road ranking fell a bit this year (7th place), but due to our small membership it is difficult to hold up the rankings across all age/ability categories.
- our challenges in 2006 and going into 2007 continue to be staffing in regards to Prairie Steamer, staffing at the 2007 casino, and attracting new young riders.

VP report:
- casino February 26-27, 2007 organizing underway.
- busy year organizing race transportation, accommodations.
- please send your shift requests to Natasha.

Treasurer report:
- 2001-2005 financial reports approved by Alberta Corporate Registries.
- several outstanding Out-of-Province funding requests.
- report on 2006 expenses, current cash status.
- feedback requested on additional spending of AGLC funding.

Proxy vote signing for ABA AGM on Saturday, November 4th.

Elections:
- member at large position explanation, reasons for executive changes.
- splitting apart of Secretary/Treasurer into two positions.
- Nominations for new Secretary position: Craig Debellefeuille nominated by Natasha, Craig G - ACCLAIMED
- Nominations for Vice President position: Natasha Kuzmak nominated by Reid, John P - ACCLAIMED
- President and Treasurer positions remain the same and will be voted on at 2007 AGM.

New business:
- casino dates are Feb. 26/27, 2007. If members agree to work an additional shift, it will count as two races for 2007 obligations.
- training subsidy: Olympic Oval, Peak Power programs. Any others are welcome and will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
- clothing repairs: cp to collect clothing for general repairs, will be billed to Gita North.
- new equipment purchases: track equipment more manageable than road equipment. How about a team tent or two? Please send your suggestions to the Synergy email addy.

Synergy Awards

Alpha Male: Felix Haspel
Alpha Female: Stephanie Roorda
Junior Alpha Male: Cole Murphy
Junior Alpha Female: not awarded
Synergist: Frank Kovacs
Prophet: Sherwood Plant
Vigour: Natasha Kuzmak
Lanterne Rouge: Dave Corr
Lazarus: Liane Angerman

Congratulations everyone! If you weren't able to attend the AGM, please contact the club to arrange to get your award.

Meeting adjourned 20:05.