Smashing Success! SVBC's 10th Annual Dinner

Photo credits: Wayne Dollemore (https://www.waynedollemore.com/)The SVBC Annual Dinner was a night to remember, as always. We were fortunate to have as our special guests Joe Breeze, Otis Guy, and Tom Ritchey – titans in the world of mountain biking as well as outstanding bicycle advocates. Bruce Hildenbrand, Master of Ceremonies, interviewed our panel and a lively discussion ensued. Thanks to all of you for sharing your knowledge, passion, and humor with us!Attendees bid on some amazing live auction items, ranging from an all-inclusive seven-day cycling tour in Spain to the Faraday Cortland S model, which was again a hotly sought-after item. For donating these live auction packages, we thank Exodus Travels, Assos USA, Corinne Winter Ball and Andy Ball, Palo Alto Bicycles, Lisa Sinizer and Rick Hopkins, and Getaway2Give.The silent auction held some pretty special items as well – weekend getaways, cool clothing and bike accessories, tons of ways to get fit (classes, personal training, you name it), and unique wine, including a 1983 Stag’s Leap First Vintage. Thanks to all of our donors for making the auction so incredible.We shared one of our most significant campaigns for the coming year – San José Protected Bike Lanes. Shiloh Ballard, Executive Director, asked everyone to consider that protected bike lanes are the best way to make the streets safer and get more people riding. We asked attendees to donate to support this and our other advocacy campaigns and we raised a collective $40,000 in about 30 minutes! Also, we are not just working in San José – many other cities are joining this movement to make more protected bike lanes and get more butts on bikes. Check out what Cupertino is up to and Menlo Park too.As this is SVBC’s biggest fundraising event of the year, we thank everyone who spent the evening with us and made the event a success. And it really would not be possible without the support of our sponsors. Thank you to our presenting sponsor, KLA-Tencor, as well as top sponsors, Google, LinkedIn, Lam Research, Microsoft, Facebook, and every other company that supported the Dinner.Here is what some of our attendees had to say about the night:Seriously, what a great event. What was most inspiring is seeing how many people put their money where their mouth is and supported strong advocacy with strong resources. San Jose and the rest of Silicon Valley have so much potential to be an incredible place for everyone, of all means, to ride a bike, and the people in that room helped to make that a reality by supporting the work of the SVBC. It was a well-executed party reflective of the professionalism and power of the day-to-day advocacy the SVBC staff bring to their work every day.- Dave Snyder, CalBikeMy favorite part of the Annual Dinner was hearing the living legends of mountain biking talking about how they made history.  More generally, I was delighted to experience all the positive energy generated by, and directed toward our bicycling community.- Gordon Hamachi, SVBC Member & All-star VolunteerThis was my first time volunteering at the Annual Dinner. I enjoyed the opportunity to spend the evening with others who share my passion for bicycling and views regarding the importance of bicycling's role in our transportation system.- Lloyd Cha, SVBC Member & All-star VolunteerIt was fantastic to meet fellow bicycling enthusiasts who are capable and willing to change the status quo, improving cycling for everyone.  Hearing Tom, Joe and Otis nonchalantly discuss their great achievements was an inspiring moment. Let’s continue to "Build Community through Cycling"- Roy Leonard, San Jose Bike PartyMy favorite part of the SVBC Dinner was mingling with all the wonderful bicycling advocates in our area. Face-to-face socializing is HUGE! Much more fun than social networking in front of a screen, plus there were interesting speakers and lots of great food. Ride to eat, eat to ride!- Tim Oey, Sunnyvale BPAC Commissioner