Tomorrow morning, a new year begins and HATS has no Top Hats.  Its a bit like having a slow leak on a tire...we're not sitting by the side of the road, but we're headed just down the road a piece before we're no longer cycling as HATS.  Hugh gave us a plan for the foreseeable future that will work fine...we have our monthly rides scheduled pretty much through 2011, but you won't be getting any of the services Hugh and Becky provided previously such as a great newsletter (could be subbed out if you wanted to lead and not write) and some degree of ride coordination and accepting inquiries about the club.  We still have a steering committee comprised of membership, finance, rides and web.  You can still go to this site for info.  Tomorrow, if someone won't step up and lend some guidance, HATS is going nowhere soon.

On a lighter note...our beloved former leaders, the Reeves are sending out mail from Fredericksburg.  I think they are actually expecting to sleep in their new home within a couple of weeks.  I know we all wish them a wonderful retirement...and for Becky to convalesce in the fresh air of that lovely area.

For your calendars...don't forget the annual Chili Ride at Riverhaven on Sunday, January 23.  RSVP with the Mahoneys at m-smahoney@sbcglobal.net.  Bring something hot and tastey!

Hugh and Becky Reeves will be heading to Fredericksburg shortly after the start of the new year and will be abandoning the post of Top Hats for a carefree life in the Hill Country.  Unlike Sarah Palin, the Reeves have completed their duties with honor and then some.  Unlike the State of Alaska, we don't have a lieutenant Top Hat to fill the position as our leaders move on.  

The SWTR shall go off without a hitch...Top Hat or no.  The club, however, ceases to exist at the end of this month if there is no one interested in the administrative duties of directing the various committee chairs.  The Reeves, and Mahoneys before them, produced the newsletter and coordinated the people providing other club functions (ride coordinator, webmaster, treasurer, membership, etc.).  The amount of work required of the new Top Hats and the degree to which they carry out that work is up to the Top Hats.  Its your opportunity to shine, lead or manage...but the job is there for a younger, newer member.  Those of us that have been supporting for the past 15 years are like Hincapie and Rubiera, and are looking for that Levi Leipheimer to lay claim to the team.   Don't be the Lantern Rouge.  Step up and take the challenge.  You need only be out front for a brief time - the rest of us will carry the load.

I know everyone joins me in thanking Hugh and Becky for several excellent years of leading the HATS.  We all wish you well in your retirement and look forward to joining you in rides in Fburg in the near future.