The Peloton assembled for the Annual Awards Lunch at Swans Pub under the imposing portrait of Trudeau Senior. This year the Awards Lunch was a little earlier than in previous years - to accommodate the travel plans of several pelotoneers. The move to an earlier date may become permanent since Swans, our clubhouse, was less busy than normal.

Some were able to boast that they had completed the bike ride earlier this morning, under less than encouraging conditions [see the Drookit blog post] while those who didn’t cycle were glad that they had made an "intelligent" decision.

15 members were in attendance, and all in good fettle. Cy had last minute grandfather duties in Vancouver preventing his participation. Everyone was looking forward to the Awards segment of the proceedings, although with some apprehension! The Awards Committee, as is their custom invested a massive amount of time at the Awards Emporium seeking just the right award. By the time they had finished they had maxed out their credit cards, even with James frequent shopper discount! When the shopping was over, the committee then spent many hours carefully wrapping the gifts with just right paper. Jim cheated in this regard by enlisting Chris’ help emphasising the grossly inadequate wrapping efforts of the others! After the beer was ordered, there were was much conversation, some intense, some light-hearted, but clearly everyone was happy to be sharing a beer and a meal. Topics of conversation ranged from the current political climate in Canada - we were sitting under the famous/infamous PET portrait after all. Given the events in San Bernadino in recent days there was some discussion over how intractable the problem of gun control is south of the border. However, most conversation was of more light-hearted nature. While waiting for the food to be served the 2015 Awards presentation got under way, with beer in hand:

Thanks to Dave N. for the good photos, as for those taken into the windows by Norm L,it is clear he needs to buy a new smart phone!

We know that John is thorough - just check his bike! It will come as now surprise therefore that, unlike other presenters he had written down prepared remarks for the awards he was presenting - including the hyperlinks:

David A. While surfing cycling websites I came across an article about a classical guitarist who outfitted his bike to carry his guitar to events. I immediately thought of David. As he will soon be an accomplished classical guitarist, he can bring his guitar on rides to provide entertainment at coffee. Here's a picture from the article showing how to mount your guitar on a bicycle. Please pass it to David. To help you with this project we have this gift to make your job easier.

Dave N. Dave set a high bar for the crash test Award this year. (Tom worked hardand was able to better his efforts). His misadventure with the taxi in front of the Empress resulted in him riding this summer on a bike without a milk crate to carry his stuff. For his future endeavors at barratry we present him with this gift.

Norm T.

It was a surprise to see Norm pull into Mitchell's farm parking lot last Friday at 9:20. This belies the rumour of the late Norm Tatlow. It is clear that he has taken to heart the concepts in Catharine Beecher’s “A Treatise on Domestic Economy” published in 1847. Norm, this small gift will help you with your more modern “Just in Time” efforts in the future.

The list of Awards is presented here so that in November 2016, you can look back and see what your award was in 2015!

After lunch, Jim pulled out the predictions we had made one year ago as to what the price of a crude oil would be in December 2015. There was some wrangling over the predictions - some who did not come close to the correct price argued that they were quoting the Brent Crude Price in C$, while others really tested the bounds of credulity to say they were quoting the price of two barrels of oil. The person who came closest to the current price was non other than Norm L. who can claim total ignorance on oil pricing mechanisms, apart from what he reads in the Economist. Jim presented what is now an annual award for the person most accurately predicting the price of one barrel of Brent Crude in US$. For the next 12 months Norm L will proudly have the trophy on his mantle shelf. James, on the other hand demonstrated that a little knowledge is dangerous and too much knowledge is even more dangerous by being presented with an empty can of oil for predicting the price farthest from the actual! James is honour bound to place the said empty can of oil on his mantle shelf for the next 12 months in the hope that he doesn't retain it for another year!

So popular was this contest, that it was decided to create another award for the person most closely predicting the value of the C$ in US$ on the day of the Awards Lunch in December 2016.

Rusty - he of barbecue fame - invited all present to attend the Victoria Male Voice Choir Christmas Concert on December 5 at 2.00pm at the Esquimalt United Church at 500 Admirals Road.

A reminder to all members to cherish and value your awards, since you may asked to re-gift them next year to keep costs down!!

Season’s Greetings to you and yours. Looking forward to another memorable year in 2016 of good company, lots of laughs all while we peddle to our heart’s content.

P.S. - if you were not happy with your award, the solution lies in your hands - you can be on the Awards Committee in 2016!! I originally had 1916, till Norm T kindly pointed out that I was a century behind the times - hence the comment below! Yours, Norm L.