June 2024 Top Talk

Thank you all – approximately 30 of our members – for traveling down to Salem-Keizer for Salem Bicycle Club’s annual MONSTER COOKIE RIDE on April 28. Their club had devised an entirely new route with safety (less-traveled roads) in mind. I think most of us found the new route very pleasant. Although the weather forecast had promised cloudy but dry, that was not the case, and it was a cool and wet day. Oh, and windy. Several riders commented on the headwind that turned what might have been a very doable route into an endurance ride. The weather kept our PBC jerseys under cover, but thanks for the effort. Salem later reported 560 total riders.

I encourage PBC members to share in these event rides and support other clubs and cycling entities. Money changes hands and helps these organizations to continue and we get to see different terrain, eat some yummy snacks, and enjoy the company of fellow cyclists. Yes, these events have gotten more expensive, but many have price breaks the earlier you sign up. And, as PBC knows with PIONEER CENTURY®, costs have increased to the extent that we cannot absorb them; we too must pass the increases on to our riders.  ✎

Several different rides and events remain on our calendar, so check them out and invest in a little travel to see some new sites. Bud’s Central Oregon ride is in the middle of the month and simply requires you to show up at the ride start in Bend. If you don’t go to Ménage à Trois, check out Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway’s annual GORGE RIDE on June 15 out of The Dalles. You can scoot down I-84 in the morning, ride, and get home for dinner. It’s a scenic and historic ride with the proceeds helping to restore and rebuild the old scenic highway along the Columbia River. Over the years, PBC has had a special supportive relationship with FHCRH, and we also donate money to them each year as part of that support.

Those are just a couple of upcoming rides to consider. The summer is brimming with opportunity. Our seemingly tireless ride leaders will also have some of their usual offerings but typically trot out some longer, more rural, maybe a little more challenging routes to take advantage of warm and dry summer days.

These are a few of the benefits of belonging to a bicycle club. Good people, great routes, and a bit of adventure. Take advantage. We often don’t regret what we do, but we often reflect and regret what we DIDN’T do. No regrets for the summer of ’24!

Ann Morrow, President

To read the Quick Releases newsletter associated with the June 2024 Top Talk, go to Table of Contents.