February 2022 Top Talk -Portland Bicycling Club

February 2022 Top Talk

By the time this column hits the press, the 2022 PBC Awards Banquet will be in the record books. The return of our banquet, celebrating the accomplishments of an active and successful year of cycling, is a big step in our club’s return to normalcy.

Even bigger steps are in the works. The next is the June 11th return of the Pioneer Century, our club’s signature ride and primary service to the cycling community. The long-time-favorite, 62-mile route over the Sawtell hill will be featured, as well as a 35-mile option through Elliott Prairie for those who prefer a shorter or flatter route.

The reintroduction of the Pioneer as a metric century for its first year is aimed at lowering costs and reducing the number of volunteers required. Volunteers will definitely be needed, so this is your opportunity to give something back to the club and, in so doing, support the charities that it benefits. We’ll need volunteers to mark the course; set up and run the starting/finishing line and rest stops; plan, acquire and prepare the food for the riders; drive SAG (support and gear); and other activities needed to make the ride successful. Many of you are experienced in the various roles, and your help would be particularly valuable. However, if you’re new to the club, we also want you to join in, making our signature ride a success! It’s a fantastic way to meet and get to know other club members as you volunteer together for a common purpose.

You can let me know if there’s a particular position that you would like to fill. My e-mail address is [email protected]. Also, watch for volunteering opportunities for the STP (Seattle to Portland) finish line, which is following in July. That’s the event that generates our operating revenue and is another great way to have fun while supporting the club!

Doug Myers, President