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HomeBoard of Directors 2019

Board of Directors

President, Memphis Hightailers Bicycle Club Peter Sarfas Contact Peter
Vice-President, Memphis Hightailers Bicycle Club Mitchell Lansky Contact Mitchell
President, Memphis Hightailers Foundation Tulio Bertorini Contact Tulio
Treasurer Frank Pitts, Jr. Contact Frank
Event Ride Coordinator Peter Sarfas Contact Peter
Director of Weekly Rides Al Ness
Contact Al
Membership Director Michael Wener
Contact Michael
Secretary Catherine Lyon Contact Catherine
Newsletter Editor Matthew Collins Contact Matthew
BCB100 Training Team Captian Mitchell Lansky Contact Mitchell
Volunteer Coordinator Open Contact Volunteer Coordinator
Director of Advocacy Open Contact

Meet the Board

Peter Sarfas, President, Memphis Hightailers Bicycle Club

Member Since: 2012

My Biking Story: I bike to keep fit and be out in the fresh air!

Back home in Scotland, I had a road bike, but I would say I was a more casual rider, but not able to get much riding in between driving buses on tours all over Europe. The most I would do was about 20 miles.

I started back cycling during the spring of 2012 after an eleven year absence/hiatus for two main reasons: to lose weight and lower the number of medications I am on – it could be argued the medications are cheaper than biking! During 2012, I dropped over 50 lbs and my medications were lowered. I also completed my first metric century, which was also a milestone in itself. In 2013, I completed three century rides which I didn’t think I would be able to do. I have done a lot more cycling now than I ever did when I lived in Scotland.

I regularly ride the Mellow Mushroom ride on Tuesday nights, lead the Farmington Folly ride, which I started in August 2014, on Thursday nights and usually the Panera Bread ride on Saturday, although I have also been seen on the Saturday Morning Social Ride from Super Lo. I also assist with the BCB 100 Training team, so I can also be found on that ride!

I joined the Memphis Hightailers board in October 2013 and I am currently the Events Director, which means if you have to register for a MHBC Ride, MHBC Buddy Event, or to purchase special pre order Hightailers gear, I set up the registration pages.

Mitchell Lansky, Vice-President & BCB100 Training Team Captain

Member Since: 2010

My Biking Story: I have biked most of my life. As a kid I wasn't allowed to go too far away from the house, so I rode my bike around the block over and over and over again. I even made some of my neighbors dizzy. I still ride long distances, just now I actually go places.

I have been a member since 2010 and have been involved with the Training Team from the very beginning. It has been very rewarding. I am looking forward to this year.





Tulio Bertorini, President, Memphis Hightailers Foundation

Member Since: 2009

First Bike: Metallic Blue Schwinn Scrambler

My Biking Story: I spend most of my time riding the road bike, but drop it as soon as cyclocross season kicks in locally.

Most all of us started riding bicycles as children. So I will not bore you with my entire History. My main passion for cycling started in 1992 where I started mountain biking with a nice entry level bicycle. As I rode more I began to become more involved with cycling. I did this by joining a local mountain bike race team called the River City Wheelmen. There I was part of the board and helped organize the Down and Dirty Mountain Bike Race. Years later the road bug hit and I joined the Marx-Bensdorf Team. After I realized Road Racing was not for me and Cyclocross was my game I worked with a group to organize the Amphitheater of Pain Cyclocross Series along with a few mountain bike races and Run/Bike/Runs. Then there was a big gap in my cycling history, but the passion could not stay away long. I was talked into riding with the IP Cycling Team in 2008 to ride in the 2010 Fed Ex Rock N Roll MS150 and it started again from there. I joined the Hightailers board in 2009 and have been more involved in cycling every year since.I have help various position on the board from Ride director, Marketing Director, to Education Director. I have a great passion for cycling and would love to see every one riding a bike. Not only do I want to see them riding a bike, but I want to see them do it safely.

Frank Pitts, Jr., Treasurer

First Bike: Purple Schwinn Sting Ray with a Banana Seat (it was so cool!)

My Biking Story: Twelve (or so) years ago I decided to get off the couch and get some exercise. I went to Walmart and bought the best bike I could find.

I did not want to spend a lot of money in case this was just a phase. That did not work so well.

I tried again. My son had gotten a hybrid bike from the Peddler to take to college. It looked pretty good and I bought one and rode around the neighborhood.

I had heard of this group called the Hightailers. They were having a ride out in Rossville (Wolf River Cafe ride) and I decided to try it out. Who doesn’t want catfish after a ride. I drove out there - met Mike Lewis (the President at the time) - gave him some money. He opened his trunk, gave me a MHBC hat and I was a member. We all started off - me on my hybrid - everyone else on their road bikes - on an unmarked route with an outdated cue sheet. After about a mile I was alone (nothing has really changed today). I do remember stopping somewhere on Hwy 194, asking a homeowner for some water and sitting under a tree for awhile. Seven (or eight) hours later I came back - I was so tired I did not care about catfish.

I finally got a road bike - joined the MHBC board and the rest is history.

My initial riding experiences set my goals - to help make the ride experience good for all members with things like marked routes and SAGs,

I have handled the ride SAGs for the last few years and I am now the club treasurer.

Al Ness, Director of Weekly Rides

Member Since: 2014

My Biking Story: I started biking as a kid out of necessity to spend time with my friends. As I lived in a very rural part of central Minnesota, the closest one was about a mile away on the dirt roads! I spent a lot of time on that single speed Schwinn with coaster brakes!

My riding took a hiatus starting from the time I learned to drive to until we moved to Memphis area and my wife & daughter started competing in triathlons. I started with again with a hybrid but quickly came to understand that a road bike was required to keep up with the ladies. After riding with the family for a few years, we were invited to the Paper Rollers Ride by a rider my wife met in spin class. We learned about the Hightailers and the upcoming Tour La Grange ride during one of the group rides (a "trust worthy" rider told us it was an easy, flat ride….).

I now ride year-round and enjoy several group rides each week including the Cameron Brown, Mellow Mushroom, Carriage Crossing (summer), Hump Day (winter), Farmington Folly, Skip’s Peanut Butter Rally, Smoothie Cruise (when I need a flat recovery ride!) and this will be my third year on the BCB Training Team. Through these rides, I have got to know several of the rider leaders / group leaders. I am looking forward to getting to know those I have not spent time riding with and working with everyone to support the improvement of our ride program.

Oh, and I currently ride a Cervelo R3.

Michael Wener, Membership Director

Member Since: 2013

Like most people I’ve been riding a bicycle since I was a kid. From BMX bikes to my first 10 speed as a kid in the early 80’s, I was hooked. I started light mountain bike riding in 2001 when The Peddler sold me my first “adult” bike. In 2013 I wanted to be social with my riding and did my first group rides with Hal at the Peddler. A month later I bought my first road bike and I was instantly hooked!

I’ve been very active with the Hightailers since mid 2013 and on the BCB Training Team since 2014. I was asked to become a ride leader in 2017 and I typically lead the A group on the Tuesday night Mellow Mushroom ride. Although I ride several group rides each week, I really enjoy going to some of the regional rides in the tri-state area, which not only gives us opportunities to ride in other areas, it also gives the Hightailers visibility and encourages people in those areas to come join us for the BCB in October each year.

In 2018 I was the SAG volunteer coordinator for the Training Team. I have helped plan many of the local routes for the club and Training Team each year and enjoy figuring out new places for everyone to ride.

If you haven’t met me yet, please look for me out on the next group ride!

Catherine Lyon, Secretary

Member Since: 2013

My Biking Story: I tried biking first by renting a bike at Shelby Farms after a series of running injuries. I find that many of my riding friends tried biking for the same reason. After about a half mile all I could think of was how much more fun biking is than running and I’ve been biking since that day.

My first bike was a Trek Neko hybrid that I’ve also used a couple of times mountain biking. I started with a friend at the Cameron Brown easy ride in 2013 and completed my first metric century that year at the BCB100 Ride in the fall. A week later I rode the 90 mile round trip Tanglefoot Trail.

Shortly after, I purchased my road bike, a Specialized Amira. Since then, I’ve ridden the 90 mile Tanglefoot Trail again, joined the BCB Training team in 2014 and completed my first century at the Clarksville Sunrise Century ride. I’ve done many of the club rides and enjoy them all. For 2015, I’ve joined the BCB Metric Training Team and am looking forward many fun bike rides with friends. I’ve been the secretary on the board since January 2014 and enjoy working with everyone in the club.

Matthew Collins, Newsletter Editor

Member Since: 2013

First Bike: 2013 Diamonback Edgewood

My Biking Story: In the summer of 2013, I purchased a hybrid bicycle as a way to travel to the University of Memphis from Shelby Farms for a music teaching course.

When the class was cancelled, I used the spare time to start riding the Greenline, the trails of Shelby Farms, and around in the Bartlett area.

Towards the end of the summer, I decided to start riding in group rides. I joined up with the Cameron-Brown Ride Easy and the rides from Bike the Planet. That August, I decided to join the Memphis Hightailers and participated in other rides around town. That fall, I participated in my first Bluff CIty Blues ride where I finished my first Metric Century.

Last year, I upgraded to my first road bike, a Felt F95, which I first rode at the St. Patrick's Day Ride. I also got more involved in the club by doing other weekly rides and even starting up the Bartlett Station Ride to cater to my area of town.

I see cycling as a means for adventure. It has allowed me to see the city and surrounding areas in a whole new way which I hope will continue for many years. As an educator, I believe in the power of learning new things, whether it be how to safely transition a group from one lane to another or the strategy for winning a crit race. I hope you find every time you saddle up as a way to explore and learn more.

Open, Education Director

Info Coming Soon

Open, Volunteer Coordinator

Info Coming Soon

Open, Director of Advocacy

Member Since: