Reach the Beach Training Series -Portland Bicycling Club

Reach the Beach Training Series

Another reminder that our club will be running Reach the Beach training rides. Dick Weber has been the lead on this series for probably about ten years. Prior to that, Dick Adkins, then Larry Eades and Mishell Goodman ran them for years as well. I’m probably omitting someone. and I’m sorry. I’m attempting to make the point that over the past many years our club has invested hundreds of hours trying to help both experienced and inexperienced riders prepare for this very popular event.

Dick has stated unequivocally that this is his last year of running these rides. If you are interested in taking over this series, please reach out and get some training. 

This year, Dick and I will share the ride leader duties as we have in the past few years. He takes the longer, faster route; and I modify the route to a shorter, slower version. Not all Reach the Beach participants plan to ride the full 100 miles. The routes increase in mileage into May and this year the event is Saturday, May 20. Additionally, Mark Detrick has graciously taken on additional training rides focusing on Sundays. This was a request from participants some years back that we add some Sunday rides to our traditional Saturday options.

I see this series as an opportunity to invite local riders to share in the fun of club riding. They are motivated to do so in order to successfully complete Reach the Beach. Hopefully, it achieves that end – success – but also draws riders to PBC as they want to continue riding. We work with American Lung Association and post on their Facebook page and website (where you will see “Portland Bicycling Club” on the “Top Teams” leaderboard) to get the word out. Go to PBC Free Training Rides. It’s been a good relationship for years, even as our ride leaders and ALA’s management changed.

Finally, I want to stress that you don’t need to be planning to ride Reach the Beach to enjoy these training rides. They are club rides, pure and simple. If you see a ride that sounds good for you, please come and join in.

Ann Morrow, Vice President