Team Oz 2001 Reaches 100 Strong!
April 8th, 2001

You are invited to join in the Team Oz Training Rides. Signing a waiver form is required. Upcoming Rides

The weekend of April 7th and 8th was in many respects the "nuts and bolts" starting point for Team Oz 2001. We have experienced get-togethers and team information meetings prior to this point, but this weekend marked our start in deed(s)! Our first clinic on changing flat tires was held at REI on Saturday in the morning and was followed by the first training ride that afternoon. On Sunday crew and riders met for the first of monthly progress meetings at the home of our always gracious hosts, Pat Murphy and Craig Wilson.

The tire changing clinic Saturday was led by bike mechanic Tom Renner, (second year working on the SJA training rides). Tom demonstrated in detail how to remove a tire from one's bike easily, find the cause of the flat, and subsequently fix it and eliminate the cause in such a way that it no longer could cause more flats.

Due to the high winds on Saturday afternoon our normally 15-20 mile planned ride was shortened to 13.

Numbers for Team Oz 2001 (crew and riders) as of the present, are over 100! Kevin Winge, of Open Arms, came to our meeting Sunday and spoke on behalf of the AIDS Ride beneficiaries. He reminded us that for every mile each of us rides, one more person is fed by their organization. Open Arms relies on this ride to fund their activities throughout the year, (providing meals to AIDS sufferers in their residences). He pointed out to us that this funding is critical to the survival of most of the Twin Cities beneficiaries, including our own Grace House.

Crew and riders met separately to address items of concern unique to their tasks. Past experience was again shared in the hope that we can evolve and ever improve this journey, making it easier and better each time via the shared knowledge of our teammates.

• Next Tire Changing Clinic is at REI on Saturday 4/14/01 at 10 a.m. Meeting room, rear of store.

• Next Training Ride is next Sat 4/14/01 departing SJA at 1 p.m. Meet in the SJA parking lot about 30 minutes prior to time to departure time, (to insure your bike is in good condition prior to time of departure).

• Also at our service is Katy Shufelt. Katy knows bikes and is willing to help people buy a bike or help them in other ways with bike issues. You can reach Katy by e-mail at squiggis@aol.com or at 952-925-3449.
• If you are interested in getting involved with Team Oz, contact Kay Sailer at 612-729-9350 or Fr. Jim Cassidy at the Parish Center office(612-823-8205).

Edie Kalweit has been a St. Joan of Arcer for 24 years now. Now that her children are grown, there is time to participate more fully in activities taking place at St. Joan's.

AIDS Ride 2000 was documented with daily reports. View those reports to gain a flavor of the Team Oz experience.