Member Spotlight: Kurt Minges
By Julia Surtshin
Heeeere’s Kurt Minges….
In 2009, seeking a mental health change of pace from his kid-centric life, Kurt, a lifelong cyclist, joined PBC. As a member he’s found adult companionship and bonding over shared interests. He remembers his first PBC ride. Having ridden for years, Kurt thought he was in pretty good shape. He got dropped by the pack, but someone hung back and rode with him. He credits the club with introducing him to safe local routes.
Most of us biked as kids, gave it up to pursue “cooler” pastimes, and returned to it as adults. Not so for Kurt. He’s been cycling his entire life. Kurt gleefully recounted how he acquired his first new bike. As his 10th birthday approached, he was given a Schwinn catalog and told to mark the bike he wanted, which he did. His birthday (which happens to be Halloween) arrived. The day progressed, trick-or-treating came and went; no bike. It had been raining, in fact pouring, in Columbia, South Carolina, and the drapes of the house had been closed. Late in the evening, as Kurt was about to head to sleep, his father said, “Open the drapes. Let’s see if it’s stopped raining.” Kurt did, and before his ten-year-old eyes stood a green 3-speed Schwinn Deluxe Typhoon—with chrome fenders, no less.
At age 11, Kurt had a paper route. Five days a week he’d head out, delivering papers. When he’d saved up enough money he purchased an orange Schwinn Continental with coveted gum wall tires, which he still remembers cost him $118 and was a step up from the $112 Varsity Sport! Biking meant freedom and adventure to Kurt.
Three days a week Kurt heads out with a few of his PBC buddies for 40-mile rides, averaging 14 mph, including some climbing. Some of his favorite routes begin in Charbonneau, wind through Champoeg State Park, and may include a stop in St. Paul for street tacos or ice cream at the Butteville Store, where he claims that “Cup of Dirt” is the absolute best flavor.
Kurt introduced his own children to cycling when they were very young. Baby seats and trailer-cycles were part of his routine. His son, Eamon, took to the sport and often accompanied Kurt on PBC rides. Kurt and Eamon share wonderful memories of riding together on many of Bud Rice’s camping/cycling weekends on the coast and in central Oregon. Kurt smiled as he told me that for years, members would ask about Eamon, long after he’d grown and moved away.
When I asked Kurt about one of his most memorable cycling experiences, he regaled me with the tale of his solo, three-day, loaded bike tour circumventing the Big Island of Hawaii. The final night of his ride, he camped at Volcanoes National Park at an elevation of 4500 feet. By morning it was raining. He had 30 miles to ride back home to Hilo. He left camp wearing every piece of clothing he had, which, unfortunately, did not include a rain jacket. His dilemma: Ride fast, get the misery over with sooner, but shake even more from the windchill, increasing his chances of losing control and crashing; or slow down, have more control, but suffer for longer. He focused on his riding and found a speed that felt right. He happily told me, “By the time I was about 10 miles from Hilo, I was sweating again and life was good!”
A lifelong cyclist surely has advice for other less experienced riders. Kurt mentioned the importance of learning what apparel works best for you, especially for year-round riding. Kurt found that a high-visibility waterproof riding jacket with trunk- or pit-zippers is a great item for a variety of situations. During shoulder season, he often opts for arm warmers, a hi-vis windbreaker, a thin fleece under his helmet, and thin insulated gloves under his riding gloves.
He also said that learning to reduce the “hassle factor” in riding is another key to enjoying the sport. Kurt keeps his trailer-hitch-mounted Thule rack on his car year round. He told me, “Easy on, easy off, no excuses. With an unused water bottle, it makes for the perfect wash-down rack for the bike after a wet ride. By the time I get home, the bike is dry and ready to store.” Pretty clever, if you ask me.
Kurt retired from the Lake Oswego Parks & Recreation Department. During the summer months he focused on managing department-hosted events. He found it gratifying to handle all the unforeseen snafus and see participants enjoying themselves. In 2010 he started volunteering with the STP Finish Line Safety Team and has done so every year since then, except in 2012 when he rode it. His son Eamon often volunteered with him, and they enjoyed the finish line excitement together. When Kurt retired in 2025, he stepped up to coordinate this team, adding, “I’ve enjoyed the energy of the event and the camaraderie and teamwork that I’ve experienced working with other PBC members.”
Most people have a little-known part of their history, something that people would be surprised to learn about them. For Kurt, it’s that he’s an adventurous soul, once spending two years sailing the Pacific and South Pacific, typically on 45-foot yachts. At one point he signed on to crew for a couple, thus managing to get paid while cruising around and enjoying the sunshine!
Well, that’s everything you wanted to know about Kurt Minges, but were afraid to ask.
Till next time…