Pioneer Century® 2024: Biggest Club Ride of the Year!
Next Saturday, come join the BIGGEST CLUB RIDE OF THE YEAR! Between riders and volunteers, the Pioneer Century® will attract 400+ cyclists to Clackamas and Marion Counties. Starting in Canby, the three routes show off the amazing scenery on rural roads very close to the Portland Metro area. On the routes, Portland Bicycling Club has three Rest Stops to serve riders on their 33, 62, or 100-mile loops. Our Rest Stops are bountifully stocked with almost anything you might want to re-charge your system. Our volunteers are energized and excited to support our club and the biking community.
This year PBC has added many features to make the Pioneer Century® 2024 even better! For the first time in a while, we are offering Pioneer jerseys at a very affordable price. At registration we’ll have PC24 stickers for your helmet or bike. We’ve added a Volunteer Pizza Party on Monday, June 3, to thank our volunteers. We are ✎ having a free BBQ after the ride for registered riders, partnering with students from Canby High School in a student fundraising event. We have reached out to the several rural communities through which we will be riding to notify them of when we’re coming. We will be adding more signage along the route to be better visitors. These features have been purposely planned to engage riders, volunteers, and Oregon communities in celebrating cycling at the Pioneer Century®.
The Pioneer Century® is unique in that is organized and staffed by PBC volunteers. We have no paid staff, nor does anyone expect to be paid. It’s everyone’s contribution to PBC. The ride is fully supported with on-the-road SAG (support and gear) vehicles, strategically spaced rest stops, clear route markings, and Ride with GPS route maps for your phone or bike computer. When you arrive, you’ll find ample onsite parking and “Ride Central” at Columbia Distributing. At Ride Central is check-in, registration, route map, SAG phone number, coffee, free raffle, jerseys/T-shirts for sale, a bike mechanic, portable toilets, and everything you need to get underway. After your ride, you return to Ride Central for snacks, water/electrolytes, soft drinks, BBQ (11:30 AM – 4:00 PM), and music. The BBQ is a special opportunity for everyone to support the Canby community with donations to a Canby High School student group who will be studying in Germany this summer. They are volunteering their time to serve burgers, chips, and drinks. Please show your support by tipping them generously since the free BBQ is included in your economically-priced registration fee.
The Pioneer Century® is one of PBC’s annual major events. Plan to come out and ride or volunteer, and celebrate cycling in Oregon.
Richard Higgins, Vice President