Doug Haluza

Notes from the road

Prepping for The Trans Am Bike race of 2016 

I definitely learned a few things as a back of the pack pseudo-racer on the 2016 Trans Am Bike Race.

 Doing TABR that year was not pre-planned—I only got the opportunity to do it in the last minute.

I had not been doing enough training to do it quickly, but I did get it done slowly, finishing 50 out of 51

(but ahead of the 15 riders who scratched).

Here are some notes that may help you do TABR (or any other bike-packing adventure). It’s mostly

qualitative data based on my research and experience, with some quantitative data in solved

math problems. I’ve included things which may seem obvious to experienced riders, just in case

they’re not obvious to others. This isn’t intended to be a comprehensive guide, so research other

sources as well. These are just my notes to self, shared for reference only: 

Remember-you are still completely responsible for your own health and safety, of course!

These notes are listed roughly in chronological order, from pre-race planning, through the race.

PRE-PLANNING

First, figure out what you want to accomplish.

Read the rules! You must be completely self-supported.

 Men's Jerseys are currently available in the HBC store. 

 Women's jerseys need to be ordered, so please place your orders, ladies! 

5/6/2026 HBC Club Meeting

7:27 p.m. Karen Gellert called the meeting to order

Earth Day - Karen thanked everyone who participated

We will be updating our Safety Waiver based on our insurer’s requirement for updated wording; look for this at the next Board Meeting May 20, 2025 we will finalize the language; once approved by LAB, we may have to have anyone already signed up for the Gold Coast re-sign the waiver

We have been asked to do another bike rodeo - Huntington Station Library 8/9/2025; we will ask for people to be involved

Club jerseys for try-on and can buy tonight.

Also have fit kits for the Gold Coast jerseys - if you want one by the event, you have to order by 5/20/2025

Reviewed minutes from the last meeting

Scott Moved to approve

Malachy Seconded

Financials - Anthony

Showed current balance sheet, expenditures and income to date

Ride Chairman and VP - John

Ride Leader points are on the wall

Try to sign up early for ride lead

Dan Panzenback will be out for two weekends so need C/C+ and B and B+ ride leaders

Asked that attendees sign up early for each club meeting so we are prepared with food

There should be a safety talk before each ride

Membership - Sal Levy

9 new members this month but we had 20 that did not renew, so net we are down 11 to 295 members

Designing Woman Award - Meredith Lewin

Lifetime Membership Awards - Marvin Gerber and Arne Johnson

Karen explained the criteria for Lifetime

>= 25 year membership and active with the club

When Karen reviewed the list, she found at least one name that needs to be removed, so we need to scrutinize the list further

Gold Coast - Steve Labiner

Date is July 13, 2025

We only have 42 riders signed up

Discounted price until 6/8/2025 when prices go up about $15

Need to get more sponsorships

Riders want different food at different rest stops - we need to get donations of cash, food, products - when on rides ask the delis/bakeries we go to if they would be willing to give a donation

Minimum sponsorship is $250 gets logo on t-shirt and our website

Still need 39 volunteers

Long Island Food Bank and Kids Need More are our charities

Riders are to bring food to the ride

Karen - We still need a Social Media chairperson - specs for the role are on the table at the front of the meeting

Featured Speaker - Hal Tarry

Retired from DOT

Now with Trust for Public Land

With DOT, if want something done, try to align with a project that they already are working

Landing Avenue Bridge Replacement - looks like it is going to be done; need to work together to connect Rt 25A in Kings Park and Rt 25A in Smithtown- asked if the club can write in in support of this

Over the past 4 years, there was new legislation and Federal money for bike issues that has not been used

$16 million for Long Island Greenway may be taken back since it is for bicycle issues - have 2 congressmen working on keeping these funds

Scott asked for a sample letter that we could use as a club to send it to the right people (if he could suggest to whom) and the Board can approve sending - we use the area for our rides a lot

Hal will send the sample letter to Karen - go to the State DOT and ask them to complete this route as part of rebuilding the bridge; the State DOT established the bike route

Karen will also share the letter with the SBRA

Karen asked for the date by which they are going to start the construction on the bridge - 2030 but that is good because you have to start early to get them to include what we want

Idea - The Bike Clubs could provide the manpower to ride the bike routes and tell the State DOT what needs to be done versus them funding the people who do these rides twice per year; Karen asked how we could do this - include it in the letter

The Long Island Greenway - Karen indicated there are some problems that have been raised along the portion of the path for which TPL has received design funding and construction funding - what can we do to help with this?

Next Club Meeting is 6/3/2025 - Doug will present at this meeting since he did not present

Bruce Wessinger can help with the number of bagels needed and PGR can ask Stuff a Bagel

50/50 - Allan Pearlman won $75.00

8:45 p.m. Bob McLoughlin made a motion to adjourn