November 2025 Top Talk

Not a new topic this month, but it continues to be important to me and I fear I may not be articulating my thoughts clearly.

Portland Bicycling Club is a CLUB (a group of people, organizations, or nations having something in common).  We are a formally organized 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a board, activities, and involvement in the community (specifically through charitable contributions at this time). Our passion is bicycling, but we also are actively participating in our community as a club and as individuals.

Some of you have also confessed to riding with other groups such as MeetUp. These kinds of groups are NOT clubs. They are similar in that the groups related to personal interests – in this example, bicycling. But they are created and organized by individuals, the organizers. Something less formal may have advantages. It may have limitations as well, with perhaps only one or two impassioned people to drive the bus, so to speak. How long can they keep it up?  ✎

By contrast, as a club we are an organization with systems in place to run it in a fair and just manner. These systems have served us now for 54 years. During that time, we have worked together to end up where we are today under the guidance of many presidents and board members. Our current status didn’t happen by accident nor did PBC persevere through over five decades by good luck. It was through deliberate, concerted efforts by some of our members to get us here.

My point is that this club has served us well for a very long time but can only continue to do so if YOU make it so. “The best way to predict the future is to invent it“ (Alan Kay). We have a solid foundation and many good members with skills and abilities to see us through well into the future. Where do you want our club to be in 10 years? …20 years? If I can do this, YOU can do this! Or maybe you’re thinking, “She doesn’t do this very well; I can do it better.” Yes! Please!

PBC’s 2026 calendar of activities is shaping up to look much the same as when I joined over 30 years ago. We have a board and hold elections to fill those positions with eligible, capable volunteers. We still have one event that is exclusively ours, the Pioneer Century®. We continue to work with Cascade Bicycle Club to coordinate the Seattle to Portland (STP) Finish Line. We have bicycle rides virtually every day of the year. We have monthly meetings and helpful, informative presentations for our members.  This is all good. It has served us well. What’s next? More of the same? Something different? It will take WORK to see the SUCCESS.

Please volunteer to keep this club vital as we Take Life by the Handlebars®!

Ann Morrow, President

To read the Quick Releases newsletter associated with the November 2025 Top Talk, go to Table of Contents.