I’m emailing off list today because there’s a very important issue that we need to address and an open forum is not the place for this sort of discussion.

I’m starting to have doubts about Jeff’s level of commitment to the team.

There, I said it. Some of you may disagree, but I think there’s more than enough evidence to support my claim. I have been keeping detailed records of the grievances against Jeff, and although some of the filings against him have expired (most “strikes” only last for one calendar year—you can read more about the process in the team PDF up on Google Docs, the strikes section is on page 43), he’s amassed many more strikes in the last twelve months, and I think it may be time to do something about it. The spread sheet does not lie.

In the past year, he’s:

Held the team shoe cover order hostage by not ordering in a timely manner and then not paying via Paypal.

Decided to race the masters category at Battenkill when his services were needed to help ensure team success in the cat 4 race.

He regularly talks to racers from other teams during races.

He has not followed the race schedule drawn out for him, and excuses himself from races due to “work” or “family” commitments.

He has not signed up for Strava.

He does not take his training seriously because he has neither a power meter nor a coach.

He has not submitted anything to the team Instagram feed, and he doesn’t tag his posts on the team Facebook page.

He is regularly seen in arm warmers and vests from previous editions of the team kit, which lowers the ROI of the team’s current sponsors, which is VERY bad. The team sponsors may not say anything, but I know that they notice this sort of thing. If any sponsors saw us racing at 6:30 in the park, I think they would have a fit if they saw Jeff in kit without their current branding represented.

These are all strikes that have happened THIS season. I won’t even go into the strikes from previous seasons, because I don’t feel like opening old wounds.

That’s why I’m emailing all of you. I suggest that we set up an online vote to decide whether Jeff stays on the team or not. I don’t like using the “nuclear option”, but I think in this case it is warranted. There are four of us who never got their shoe covers because Jeff couldn’t be bothered to get his order in on time. If a quorum (the team by-laws state that we need 67% in favor to kick someone off the team—again check the team PDF, page 64) is reached, I will then notify Jeff of the team’s decision.

I can tell you that this is one of the duties I have as team manager that I do NOT relish (I know all of you would much rather be gunning it in a lead out as we get our first cat four win—it’s SO close, I can feel it!), but with great power comes great responsibility, to quote Spiderman’s dead uncle.