Cycling Enthusiasts!
The WMCR cycling club is a West Michigan based organization that is passionate about promoting health and fitness through the sport of cycling. Our membership enjoys - and promotes - all cycling disciplines with skill and fitness levels ranging from beginners to expert level racers.
The WMCR is recognized by the IRS as a 509(a)2 charitable organization [tax exempt under IRS code 501(c)3] for the purpose of promoting health and fitness through the sport of cycling.
The WMCR is recognized by the IRS as a 509(a)2 charitable organization [tax exempt under IRS code 501(c)3] for the purpose of promoting health and fitness through the sport of cycling.
The Board
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Rick A. Borns
President and Treasurer Club member since 2002 In 1990 Rick got his first mountain bike and started racing in 1999. He has participated in many road, gravel and mountain bike tours and races and currently competes in an assortment of gravel road, fat bike and mountain bike races throughout Michigan. He most enjoys long trail rides on the North Country Trail in Northern Michigan and is passionate about promoting the sport to young cyclists. He shares the sport with his son who is now (much) faster than him and is a two-time Michigan Mountain Bike Association Points Series champion and a member of the Andrie Juniors Development team. |
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Wendy DeWent
Ladies Cycling Director Wendy has been a member of WMCR since 2009, and the wife of a member for much longer! Her favorite rides include South Marquette Trails and Big M. She and her husband Jim have recently started racing on a tandem mountain bike, which Wendy attests has made her a better rider. She also enjoys back-packing is hoping to start bike-packing this summer. During the school year, Wendy teaches Young Fives at the Tri-City YMCA. |
Wendy and her husband Jim with their tandem mountain bike!
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Brian and Jo Griffin
Jo Griffin Ladies Cycling Director Jo Griffin is an avid road cyclist and rides both with ladies, co-ed groups and her husband Brian. Like Wendy, Jo is passionate about promoting cycling to other ladies and assists with coaching, training and encouraging other female cyclists. Brian Griffin Secretary Brian is a long-term avid road cyclist who accrues thousands of miles every season. Brian leads, promotes and participates in many group road rides and road tours around West Michigan. |
 From left to right Matt Vander Sys, Jim Plichta, Jim DeWent
Jim Dewent Membership Director Qualifications: Jim has been cycling for more than 20 years and enjoys many forms of cycling such a tandem riding/racing with his wife Wendy, mountain biking, road cycling and “fat biking” in the winter. Jim competes in the expert class for mountain bike racing. |
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Matt Vander Sys
Vice President/Newsletter and Marketing Club member since 2014 Matt's favorite rides are any rides that he can take with his wife, family and friends. When he's not biking or participating in anything that includes blood, sweat and beers, he works in maintenance at GE Aviation. |
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Randy Knapp
Mountain Biking Coordinator Level 2 IMBA Certified Mountain Bike Instructor Randy, aka Thor, has been in the West Michigan Coast Riders club since 2003. His most memorable ride was the 5-Day North Country Trail Epic from M20 to Mackinaw City. Randy is married with two kids, three step kids and four step-grand kids. He is a quality engineer for GE-Aviation in Norton Shores and in his down time he enjoys trail building and health sciences. |
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Chad Hutchison
Road Cycling Director & Apparel Coordinator Done a little bit of it all, grew up racing motocross so I immediately had love for mountain biking. As I got a little bit older and added a wife and two little pedal pushers it was easier to just be able to jump on the road bike and log miles, and I have a lot of fun on the road bike. I have raced Iceman (single speed and geared), Barry and most of the CPS courses throughout the years and love the dirt and look forward to logging a few of those races again soon. As of late I have been addicted to the roadie scene, group rides and races and especially the National 24hr Race that is put on every summer. Anytime on the bike is a good time! |
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Jim Plichta
Off-Road Riding & Racing Director Qualifications: Jim is a veteran endurance athlete that is very competitive, but also enjoys cycling with his entire family plus other WMCR club members and their families. Jim competes at the expert level in mountain bike and gravel road races and – most recently – TWICE qualified for and successfully competed in one of the most challenging mountain bike races in the world; the Leadville 100 (in Colorado). |
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