AMERICUS – Sumter Cycling held its annual meeting on February 9th at the new location of Café Campesino (134 W Lamar Street in Americus). Attendees were warmed by bowls of homemade chili and fair trade coffee from the café as they mingled with fellow cycling enthusiasts.
Ryan Iafigliola, President of Sumter Cycling, provided an overview of the club’s mission and discussed accomplishments of the past year as well as upcoming rides for 2016. The local cycling season kicks off with two events in April, the Tour de Farm from April 1-3 and the Prison to Peanuts ride, slated to take place on April 23.
A raffle was held during the meeting which provided entry fees for both of these events for three lucky participants.
Additional information for each of these rides is available by joining the Sumter Cycling Facebook group.
Another purpose of the meeting was to solicit input concerning cycling needs and ideas to enhance cycling in the community. A survey was distributed to collect this input. For those unable to attend the meeting, comments are still being accepted.
The key questions follow:
– What type of riding best characterizes your interest? Commuter, recreational, touring, racing?
– Where do you generally like to ride?
– What speed do you like to maintain?
– What are the major obstacles to you riding your bike more frequently?
– What would you like to see Sumter Cycling do to enhance cycling in our community?
The annual meeting proved to be a great opportunity for local cyclists to meet and to connect. For more information about the club, as well as upcoming organized events and local, informal rides, please visit the Sumter Cycling Facebook group, and check out the Instagram and Twitter feeds using the handle @sumtercycling.
Bike safely and see you on the road!

-Submitted by Sumter Cycling