By Sharael Feist
Feb., 9, 2004
Even as a child, Bill Fallis always loved riding a bike. Now 64, Fallis has enjoyed over 30 years of racing and recreational cycling as the founder of the San Mateo-based Peninsula Velo Cycling Club – or Pen Velo.
The club, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, has come along way since the ’70s. In his early 30s, Fallis felt the need for speed and started his bike racing career by joining Pedali Alpini (Italian for “pedal hills”). He found camaraderie and coaching, but eventually quit the club because it was too recreational. He wanted something more serious. “I wanted to have a small nucleus of compatible racers,” said Fallis.
In 1974, Pen Velo (velo is French for “bike”) was started with only eight members, all racers. It now has over 100 members–making it one or the largest bike clubs in the Bay Area. The club’s focus has also changed since its inception. Now, ironically, it is more recreational, although members do train for races.
Shortly after rounding the club, Fallis was able to secure a sponsor, Talbots Cyclery in San Mateo, which helped the club attract new members by providing members with a discount on bike parts and maintenance. Talbots also provided a van and equipment for the racers. One of Pen Velo’s original members that served as a liaison between the club and Talbots was Steve Aldredge, a bike mechanic
on the U.S. cycling team.
For 15 years, the slowly growing club concentrated on training for and competing in local and national road races. During that time the club had many milestones. In 1978, four club members completed along with 500 other entrants in a cycling tour of Hawaii sponsored by Michelob. The event took them to Oahu and the Big Island, where they cycled 1,500 feet up Mauna Kea volcano.
In the early ’80s, 10 members of the club completed a 450-mile endurance ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles in 24 hours. The club continued this tradition for five years.
Growing popularity of Pen Velo meant attracting accomplished cyclists to the club, including Linda Jackson – a Canadian team member and 1996 third place winner in the world road racing championships, Deirdre Murphy – world criterium road racer, Miji Reoch – 1976 world champion velodrome racer and 1984 Olympic bronze medal cyclist and Nick Frals – 1977-78 U.S. national road race and time trial champion.
In the early ’90s with a more relaxed approach to racing, the club became open to a wider audience.
“There was an expanding number of members that wanted to join,” said Fallis. “We had lower level riders who wanted to participate – we wanted to help them out. We expanded the club to include recreational riders. All you have to do is have a passion for the sport to join the club.” The club is now open to all ages and ability levels. A main focus of the club is safety.
“We do everything possible to be safe,” said member Kevin Kone. “We require members to wear helmets, glasses, obey laws.” Kone admits that unfortunately, crashing is part of the sport.
“You have to weigh the benefits against the disadvantages,” he said. “I’ve been in sports all my life. Cycling provides the most excitement and fitness – so I can eat more food.”
There have been relatively few injuries in the club’s history, but sadly in 1976, member Eric Allen was hit by a truck and killed while riding his bike in Concord. It was a loss that deeply affected his fellow teammates.
Although cycling is not often considered a team sport, the camaraderie among club members is one reason people join.
“It’s great to he able to associate with members that have the same passion,” said Kone. “We love it.” And what better place to do it than in the Bay Area. with nearly perfect weather conditions year round.
“In the Bay Area, you can bike anytime,” said Kone. “Yon don’t have to wait for Mother Nature. The Peninsula is one of the best places to ride in the United States. You can ride for five to six hours rather than going to the gym for an hour. You can ride everyday if you have the time.”
The annual membership fee to join the club is $35 and includes some coaching, organized group rides (two to four times a week), group e-mail lists, club meeting minutes, race notices, skills clinics on all as-needed basis, all annual awards banquet and training schedule critiques. The club does compete in several races per year, including two that the club sponsors: The Burlingame Criterium, held in June, and the San Bruno Hill Climb, held on Jan. 1. The club also welcomes mountain bikers and cyclocross racers.
For more information about the Peninsula Velo Cycling Club, visit their Web site: www.cyclopath.com/penvelo.