In This Issue:

Mallorca Trip

Super Senior Cyclists

Ride Director's Report
plus Distinguished 2nd Quarter Ride Leaders

2008 Tour Schedule

Meetings

New Members

Weekly Series Rides

July Rides
August Rides
September Rides

Member Profile

Charity Ride Program

Frank and Bob Yates are brothers. Frank (59) is older by 3 years. He is taller and generally bigger. His calves, hardened by years on the bicycle, have been compared to bowling pins turned upside down. Bob (57) is the youngest of three siblings. He is smaller in stature and that’s good for a cyclist.

In the late 70’s Frank was a new father with two boys of his own at home, his daughter would be born soon after. He was attending evening courses at Sacramento City College and pedaling to classes on his Schwinn Varsity. While Frank was pedaling to night school and working at Sears during the day, Bob was closing out his tenure in the United States Air Force.

As the semesters passed, Frank grew stronger. Bob returned to Sacramento and Frank convinced him the Sears Free Spirit built with Reynolds 531 tubing and painted gold was the bike he needed. Bob bought one and he too began pedaling to college.

A friend of Frank’s took notice of the new cycling habit and encouraged him to train for the Davis Double Century. One day, they invited little brother Bob to join them.

It took one week of rest before Bob decided that the pleasure was worth the pain and he was hooked. He read somewhere that if you could ride 20 miles in one hour, then you could condition yourself for a double century. The Davis Double then became his goal.

It was around 1981 when Frank’s cycling habit caught the attention of one of his neighbors. The neighbor invited Frank and Bob to the Monday night training ride. It was then that the pair became loosely affiliated with the Sacramento Wheelmen.

“I use to commute to work with full gear, lights, packs, tools, everything,” Frank said. “After work on Monday’s, I would ride to the training ride and jump in with all my gear. I must have looked like a mess.”

The Yates brothers have been associated with the Wheelmen for 27 years. They have completed the prestigious and grueling triple crown (once for Bob, twice for Frank), dozens of doubles, and to many centuries to count. They often serve as ride leaders for the Monday night training ride around the airport and the Thursday night ride that starts in Freeport. It was a Wednesday night ride many years ago when the infamous term was born – The Wind is our Friend.

“I met Frank and Bob about nine years ago when I started riding the training rides,” said Mark Yamagiwa. “The Wednesday night ride is always windy. One day was particularly tough and I was struggling. Frank rode up to me and said, ‘The wind is our friend. It will make us stronger.’ That’s really indicative of their attitude.”

The brothers have been riding for a long time, but it’s never been about the speed. For them, it’s the journey.

“They are two guys who love everything about riding,” said Loyd Helmick. “They enjoy being with the group and putting in the miles. And they’re attitude is infectious.”

Loyd recalls his first time encountering the brothers.

“It was years ago when I first rode the airport ride,” Loyd said. “I went out for four consecutive weeks and I got dropped early each time. After the fourth week, I put my brand new Le Mans in the garage and told my wife I was done. She convinced me to give it another shot.”

That next week, Bob stayed back with Loyd. They got dropped together and they spent the rest of the ride talking about technique. It gave Loyd confidence.

“Bob hung back and taught me about some pretty basic stuff regarding cadence, shifting, and braking,” Loyd said. “He said I should try to stay with the group for a little longer each week. He said my goal should be to hang with the group for half of the ride before the season was over.”

The next week, Bob, Frank, and Mark stayed back and practiced drafting with Loyd. The week after that, Loyd hung on to the group beyond the half way mark.

“I was so happy,” Loyd remembers. “I went home and told my wife all about my first pace line and what it was like to take a pull from the front. A few weeks earlier I was ready to give up. Bob saw that and he wouldn’t let me.”

It may be true that the brothers ride for the fun rather than the fury of a sprint finish. But that doesn’t mean they’re not competitive. Two years ago, Frank transformed himself, losing nearly 60 pounds through a more disciplined diet. Now that he’s retired, he’s riding more than ever and he’s gotten much stronger.

“That’s not a problem. I still beat him,” Bob said. “Frank rides real steady. We’re kind of like the tortoise and the hare. I’ll sometimes burn myself out early, but he just keeps pushing along.”

It’s easier to transfer habits than it is to transfer attitude. I am Frank’s son and Bob’s nephew. I ride bikes today because they have for as long as I can remember. As I neared the completion of this profile, I asked Frank, “Why do you take it upon yourself to help the new riders at the training rides?”

“Joining our group can be intimidating. We all know each other and before the rides we huddle in small groups sharing stories,” said Frank. “I want people to feel welcome and comfortable, that’s what the Wheelmen are all about.”

He was then quick to remind me that he still has a competitive streak.

“I’ll show new riders the course their first time out and I’ll ride with them a second time,” he said. “But after that they’re on their own.”