Preserving the cycling-themed quietude along the Delaware River became a prize winner for Carol Ireland in the Bike Delaware Photo Contest. Her image (pictured above) captured the silhouettes of Carol’s distinctive recumbent bicycle along with Darree Clark and her bicycle. For her efforts, Carol wins a gift certificate.
Long-time Club member Carol has held WCBC positions of Ride Captain and Vice President as well as serving as the Club’s first female President. She and her husband joined WCBC upon moving to Delaware in 1975, riding the Icicle Metric, Twin Century and other WCBC events. She took a break when their children were born. Rejoining the Club in 1993, Carol has enjoyed many volunteer-led and WCBC organized rides. She has also led many rides herself.
Prize winner Carol Ireland and her distinctive bike with one of WCBC’s founders, Wally Hertler
One of 8 winners from more than 200 submitted, Carol’s prize-winning photo from her cell phone was taken in October 2019 on New Castle’s Battery Park Trail.
“Darree (another long-time WCBC member) and I were biking together and we’d stopped in Battery Park,” says Carol. “During a break, Darree sat on the bench enjoying watching the Delaware River. As I walked back up the slight hill to the bike/ped trail, I noticed that the lighting was just perfect to capture the silhouettes of the bikes, so I snapped the photo.”
Asked about being recognized by Bike Delaware, Carol replied, “I was thrilled! Darree and I have always loved this photo. One Christmas I gave Darree a tote bag with the photo printed on the side. Another Christmas, Darree gave me a small painting she’d made of my bike silhouette. When Bike Delaware announced the photo contest, this was an obvious choice to submit. It’s so rewarding that others thought this was worthy of an award.”
Regarding her thoughts on cycling and the Club, Carol concludes with “I’m so happy that I’m still able to ride after all these years; and that I have a group of friends to ride with!”
Carol’s award-winning photo along with the other photos are being posted individually over the next few weeks via Bike Delaware’s social media. Be on the lookout for the Bike Delaware Photo Contest winning scene from another WCBC member to be announced soon.