Friday, December 29, 2006

Person of the Year

(right, Bill pictured with teammate John before a ride and with Lisa as they sort through race results at Conte's Cycling Classic. Top photo by BJ Samuel, bottom photo by Bob Devich.)

Time recently declared "You" (that's Us) Person of the Year since "You control the information age." I guess that means I can declare Bill Conoscenti the bikevoice person of the year. "Wild Bill" wins because of his year-in and year-out dedication to racing, race promotion, training and mentoring.

He has been racing since 1976. He raced road, track and tris in northern and southern CA in 70's and 80's.
He moved to Virginia in the early 90's where he joined Tripower Cycling Club. Wild Bill serves as club vice president, mentors juniors by holding weekly training rides for them, serves as a USCF official, and races cat 3 and master's road events. He also leads the region's longest standing group ride every Saturday in Virginia Beach. (Actually, leading that ride alone would be enough for him to get this award.)

He has served on the race committee that has promoted over 40 cycling events in the past 12 years, including 3 this year. He was director of the first Smithfield Time Trial in 06 and is the creator of the deathly anarobic 2.8-mile Pendleton Prologue which will return to Virginia Beach in 07. His leadership has helped lead the club to 3 VA State Team Best-All Around awards (04-06) and to USA Cycling's Club of the Year award in 2005. He's even been in the paper.

Wild Bill retired from the US Navy and now works as a contractor. He has a Masters in Computers in Education. He is married to Sheri, and they have two children and a grandchild.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh my, quite unexpected .....I appreciate the recognition.....and the efforts that you have put into the team and the area's cycling, as well. I co-nominate you also for "Person of the Year" ! Thanks!
r/bc

Kevin said...

Aw, can someone give me a tissue? Please? Someone?
.
Good call Liz. I agree with your person of the year!

JB said...

Very nice!!

Marco said...

A very deserving recipient!