| Salem Bicycle Club Rallies in Support at Ironman 70.3 |
For the second year in a row, the Salem Bicycle Club (SBC) supported cycling participants at Bicycle Aid Station #2 for the 2025 Ironman 70.3 event. Organized by SBC Board Member and Ironman Event Coordinator Juan Lopez, the club's volunteers brought their enthusiasm for cycling and helped ensure the participants were well fed and hydrated. The aid station this year was located somewhat further east of where it was in 2024 and included bottle catchers - cleverly constructed contraptions that helped contain the empty bottles cast aside by the riders. This reduced the chance of leaving any plastic bottles behind and made cleaning up much easier by funneling the recyclables into designated bins rather than onto the roadside.
Many of the riders, often moving at lightning speed, expressed their appreciation with yells of 'thank you,' and waves and the SBC volunteers had a fantastic time too.
|  | Safe Routes to School Bicycle Program is a Success!
Good news! The Salem Keizer Safe Routes to School (SK-SRTS) Bicycle Safety and Learn to Ride programs have now been accepted as an ongoing part of the Physical Education program in Salem Keizer School District.
The Salem-Keizer School District has fully endorsed the program and is providing increased funding as well. SK-SRTS is getting money from them and other grants including Federal grants and hopes for money from SBC and Iron Man as well to obtain their own bikes and trailers. Cycle Oregon will again provide one trailer for the full 2025-26 academic year and SK-SRTS hopes to fund one trailer of their own by spring. Both Bicycle Safety and Learn to Ride programs will run at various times in the year.
They will need volunteers again this year. If you can do one morning a week or even one a month, it all adds up!. Volunteer signups and tracking will be taken over by SK-SRTS with a program similar to Sign-Up Genius. Instead of being the volunteer coordinator again, SBC Board Member Debbie Miller will become more of an SBC liaison to SK-SRTS and provide monthly updates to the board. Volunteers will need to provide more information, like emergency contact information, and will have to be fingerprinted in addition to background checks. Costs for this are paid for by the school district. Volunteers will now have insurance provided by SK-SRTS. There will be a training course required and volunteer expectations/duties clearly outlined. Waivers will need to be signed and SK-SRTS will now keep track of attendance by volunteers and provide that to SBC so that volunteer time can be tracked by SBC for awards. SK-SRTS will also look for volunteers from other areas, such as student's parents, to fill in their needs as well.
This would not have been possible without all of our wonderful SBC volunteers. Your enthusiasm for cycling and dedication to bicycle safety is contagious and comes out in all our interactions with the children. Thank you all so much and we will keep you up to date as the details roll out for the 2025-2026 school year.
| Salem Cycling Community Mourns Death of Jeremy Wanak, a teacher at Sprague High School Killed while Cycling in South Salem.
Driver arrested for driving under the influence of intoxicants.
| | Return of the San Juan Islands Tour! |
On August 12, 13 and 14, the Salem Bicycle Club will be touring the San Juan Islands. Many members have already expressed an interest and have reserved a campsite at Washington park, or other made accommodations, but there is plenty of room for more riders. We are planning on riding Lopez Island on Tuesday, August 12, and San Juan Island on Thursday, August 14. Wednesday the 13th will see some riders tackling Orcas Island and a long climb up Mount Constitution, while others will choose Shaw Island for a shorter, less challenging day. Here is a link to the various routes that will be available. Ride mileage credit will be given. Many of us have room on our campsites for more campers and would be happy to help late comers out.
Please email me, Steve Budde, at vp.sbc.salem@gmail.com
Steve Budde
Vice President
Salem Bicycle Club
vp.sbc.salem@gmail.com
| August 23rd Potluck and General Meeting
Celebrating Community, Connection, and Collaboration
follow link to register
The August 23rd Potluck and General Meeting is a much-anticipated annual event that brings together members of our community for an evening of sharing, celebration, and decision-making. A potluck, by its very nature, is a culinary tapestry woven from the diverse backgrounds, traditions, and tastes of its participants. By combining this with a general meeting, we create not just a feast for the palate, but also a forum for dialogue, planning, and collective action. This document provides a detailed overview of everything you need to know about the upcoming gathering—its purpose, structure, and the unique opportunities it presents for connection and growth within our community.
Date: August 23rd
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Minto Brown Park Picnic Area 2200 Minto Brown Island Road SW
Attendees: members, families, friends, and interested guests
Event Structure
The evening will be divided into two distinct yet interconnected parts:
Potluck Dinner: A shared meal where everyone is encouraged to bring a dish that represents their culinary heritage or personal favorites. This not only provides a delicious array of options but also acts as a catalyst for conversation and cultural
exchange.
General Meeting: A formal gathering to discuss community updates, ongoing projects, future initiatives, and to welcome input from participants. This is the platform for members to have their voices heard and to collaborate on the direction of the community.
Potluck: A Culinary Gathering
What to Bring
Follow link to register
SBC End of Summer Potluck 8.23.25
The cornerstone of any potluck is variety. Participants are encouraged to bring a dish—appetizer, main course, side, or dessert—that serves at least 6-8 people. To avoid duplication, a sign-up sheet has been circulated, or you may reach out via email to confirm your choice. We recommend labeling your dish with its name, main ingredients, and whether it meets common dietary needs (gluten-free, vegan, nut-free, etc.).
Suggested Dishes
Appetizers: Deviled eggs, spring rolls, bruschetta, samosas, cheese platters
Main Courses: Lasagna, curry, BBQ chicken, vegetarian casserole, casserole, enchiladas
Sides: Potato salad, garden salad, roasted vegetables, rice pilaf, garlic bread
Desserts: Brownies, fruit tarts, cookies, pies, mochi
Please remember to bring serving utensils and note any allergens on your dish’s label.
Beverages
Non-alcoholic drinks such as lemonade, iced tea, coffee, and sparkling water will be provided. If you’d like to bring your own specialty beverage (including non-alcoholic punches or cultural drinks), it is more than welcome.
Potluck Etiquette
Bring enough to share
List ingredients clearly, especially for those with allergies
Take only reasonable portions, ensuring everyone has a chance to sample the dishes
Assist with set-up and clean-up if you are able
Share the story or significance of your dish if you feel comfortable—these stories foster community spirit!
The General Meeting: Shaping Our Future Together
follow link to register
The general meeting will commence after everyone has had a chance to enjoy the potluck. The agenda will include:
Welcome and Introductions: A brief welcome from the organizers and introductions for new members
Community Updates: Progress reports on ongoing projects, announcements of new initiatives, and recognition of accomplishments
Open Forum: Time allocated for attendees to raise questions, suggestions, or concerns
Planning and Volunteers: Discussion of upcoming events and opportunities for volunteers to get involved
Special Presentations: Short talks or showcases by members on topics of interest—talents, experiences, or projects
Closing Remarks and Next Steps: Summing up the discussion and outlining next steps for the community
How to Prepare
To maximize the productivity of the general meeting, participants are encouraged to:
Review previous meeting notes (distributed via email or available on the community portal)
Prepare any questions or suggestions in advance
Volunteer for open roles or event planning committees
Consider bringing resources or flyers to share relevant information with the group
Building Community Through Sharing
Beyond the food and formalities, the true purpose of the August 23rd Potluck and General Meeting is to strengthen our bonds as neighbors, friends, and collaborators. By coming together in a spirit of generosity and open dialogue, we create a space where everyone is valued, and where our collective potential can flourish.
Benefits of Participation
Meet new people and learn about their backgrounds
Discover new foods and culinary traditions
Play an active role in shaping the community’s future
Celebrate shared achievements and milestones
Find new opportunities for involvement and leadership
Inclusivity and Accessibility
Our gathering is designed to be welcoming and accessible to all. If you have specific dietary, mobility, or accessibility needs, please let us know in advance so we can accommodate you. Children are welcome, and a supervised play area will be provided.
Volunteers and Acknowledgements
Events like this are only possible thanks to the dedication of volunteers. We are actively seeking helpers for set-up, greeting, child supervision, and clean-up. If you’d like to lend a hand or have ideas for future events, please reach out to the organizing committee.
Practical Details and Reminders
Arrive on time to allow for dish set-up and socializing before the meeting.
Label your dish and serving utensils for easy identification and retrieval.
Check the community noticeboard for important updates or last-minute changes.
If you are unable to attend, please notify the organizers so we can plan accordingly.
The August 23rd Potluck and General Meeting is more than just a calendar date—it is a celebration of community spirit, a chance to savor the flavors of our neighbors, and an opportunity to work collectively towards a brighter, more connected future. Whether you are a long-time member or a newcomer, your presence matters. Bring a dish, bring an idea, bring your enthusiasm, and let’s make this gathering one to remember.
We look forward to seeing you there!
|  | A Chat with Spokes Editor Colin Benson
Colin Benson is a relatively new SBC member, having joined in February of 2024, and has jumped in with both feet - wheels? - participating in club activities. He’s a regular on club rides and also a board member and now Spokes editor. So, it seems appropriate to get better acquainted with this guy who brings us the club low-down each month. Colin told me he thought his bio was “pretty boring” but consented to be interviewed. You, dear reader, may have a different perspective on that; I certainly do.
Colin was born in Washington, D.C. but his parents’ careers soon took the family to the African continent, living in Kenya, Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire and Zambia. They lived in big cities but traveled extensively to very remote areas. His parents worked for non-governmental organization and, eventually, with the United States Agency for International Development. Colin received his schooling at international schools in Kenya and Liberia. He also attended a British school in Zambia. When he was 17, his parents moved to Abidjan where there were no American schools so he was sent to live with his grandparents in Washington DC for his senior year in high school.
Coming back to the US, he found grocery stores almost overwhelming with so many colors and all the packaged food. Life was much faster paced, as well. His move to the west coast came when his grandmother told him he needed to attend college, and to pick a school. An obvious adventuresome spirit prompted him to pick a school - Lewis & Clark - he was completely unfamiliar with, in a place he’d never been - Oregon. And here he stayed, because no other particular place was calling to him.
Colin has worked for the Oregon Department of Justice since 2014 as a criminal prosecutor focusing on complex financial crime investigations and prosecutions. Before that, he worked for the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office where he prosecuted all kinds of crimes and was assigned to an interagency drug team for several years. In 2022, he went to the Division of Financial Regulation for a one-year assignment, handling securities and insurance regulation.
And there, surprisingly, was sparked his love of biking. At the DOJ, parking had been free, and Colin drove to work. At the new assignment in a different building, he would have to pay to park. That reality landed on him as a huge No Way, and the concept of bike commuting was born. He bought a $500 REI bike with flat handle bars and big tires and on April 1, 2022, biked to work. Colin said he barely made it the six miles back home; there were hills involved that may have taunted him. At first, he could manage a ride only a few times a week. But he persevered and, within a month, he and his clothing had undergone some unexpected changes - his pants and belts had gotten too big. Even more profound, he fell head over heels in love with biking. (He once also fell head over handlebars on his bicycle) He biked to work every day, year round, and wore out the crank and brakes on his bike. One day, it was so cold his brakes froze; he was able to get the front brake working which was a slight improvement but brought the risk of catapulting over the handlebars in a sudden stop. He then got a “fancy” (his term) Specialized gravel bike with hydraulic brakes and drop bars in a flashy burnt copper color.
A guy working upstairs in his office building suggested they join a ride with the Salem Bicycle Club, so they did. Ironically, that was the only club ride his friend did, but Colin enjoyed the group rides and stayed with it when his schedule allowed.
On his first longer ride with the club, Colin got left behind and it took a while to recover. So he researched how to recover more quickly. One answer was to give up alcohol, so he cut out the little alcohol he did indulge in and found he could ride longer more easily. Such was his excitement about cycling, and becoming a better cyclists, that it was an easy call for him. He also changed his diet. Colin says he eats everything he can get his hands on except for animal products. He finds he gets more than adequate protein from chickpeas, lentils and other legumes. Mushrooms, cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, onions, and garlic provide more high nutrition value. Somewhere along the line, he bought another “fancy” Specialized, this one a road bike in opaline white, with a professional fitting at the Bike
Peddler. This relationship had obviously grown very serious.
His first 100 mile ride was with the Petal Pedal this past June, a gourmet and scenic ride starting in Silverton. It just happened to fall on arguably the worst weather day of the year. There was rain, wind, torrential rain, cold rain, more wind and possibly hail, a tornado or hurricane. Not one to be easily (ha!) deterred, Colin rode the entire distance. Did he say he enjoyed it?
On the other end of the weather spectrum, Colin has for some time visited Las Vegas regularly to see family. In his view, having a root canal is preferable to going to a casino, so he began taking his bike. Surprisingly, he has found there’s a lot of great cycling in the area. On the west side, there’s the stunning scenery of Red Rock Canyon and Calico Hills; on the east side, there’s 40 miles of protected path from some wetlands to Lake Mead plus around the enormous perimeter of the lake. When not cycling, or while his in-laws are at the casino, he hangs out at the pool with his partner, Terriann.
Terriann doesn’t bike, but has two cats, Mochi and Clarabelle, and considers it a compliment if she’s called a crazy cat lady. (Even though Colin shares a home with said cats, he says he has no cats.) Terriann works in the same building as he does, but he prefers bike commuting over carpooling. He opines that it may make him easier to work with, too.
He also has a son, Jacob, who currently lives in Chicago and will move to London in September. Jacob has a Bachelor’s in Mathematics and talks about pursuing a PhD in stochastic processes. (Bragging rights to whoever know what that is without looking it up!) Any bets how long it will be before Colin researches good cycling routes in England?
When asked whether he prefers road biking or gravel biking, he said it would be hard to pick, and doesn’t want to choose. The club rides are great, and social; he also loves the quiet gravel rides.
Colin can’t quite remember how it happened that he became editor of Spokes; he joked that Tim probably tricked him. On a cold and dark evening, he biked to a winter club meeting at Painter’s Hall for the annual elections. That dedication to cycling surely caught the attention of the club officers there. He walked in the door as a regular member and left as a board member and the Spokes editor. He quipped that he didn’t feel any different afterwards. But the same determination and commitment that got him through his early days of cycling and that memorable first 100-miler will surely serve him, and us fellow club members, well as he fulfills those duties every month.
Spokes Contributor
Mary Schmidgall
| Covered Bridge Ride Coming Up!
Hello SBC members, Just a reminder that the Mid-Valley Bicycle Clubs Covered Bridge ride is coming up soon, Sunday August 10th. There are 5 length options and a significant portion of the proceeds from the ride go to support Bicycle Safety and Education Programs. More information can be found here https://www.mvbc.com/coveredbridge.
Registration is here and online registration is available all the way up to 9 AM on the day of the ride https://www.bikereg.com/covered-bridge-bicycle-tour. SBC members are able to receive club mile credit, which makes you eligible for rewards at the end of each year. To receive credit, you need to register on the event calendar for SBC https://salembicycleclub.org/ or just contact ride leader Debbie Miller at 503-931-8414 or by email at dlmillerbiz@gmail.com. Debbie will also be available on site until her ride starts at 8 AM to take your name and anticipated mileage. For those that are going to ride it, look for our Salem Bike Club feather Flag to meet up, sign in and take group photo before we start.
Ride Safely!
Debbie Miller
503-931-8414
|
Off the Back August
"Our members just keep inspiring"
I want to take a moment to thank each one of you for your commitment, energy, and passion for taking the time to show up. Whether you lend a hand organizing rides, keep our events running smoothly, or simply show up with a smile and encouragement, you are the heart and soul of our club.
Your dedication sets the tone for our community, welcoming new riders, supporting each other on and
off the road, and ensuring everyone feels included and valued. The time and effort you give—often
behind the scenes—make all the difference. Our club thrives because you care deeply about what we
do and who we are.
Let’s keep rolling forward together, building the connections and joy that make this club truly special. Thank you for showing up, repeatedly, and making our club what it is. Volunteers are the unsung heroes whose contributions form the backbone of our club’s success.
Each ride organized, every greeting extended to a newcomer, and all the thoughtful details that go into our gatherings are the result of individuals stepping up to give their time and skills freely. Their willingness to help—often without seeking recognition—creates an environment where camaraderie flourishes and shared goals are reached. From the quiet logistics to the enthusiastic cheers at the finish line, volunteers nurture an atmosphere of belonging and make it possible for our club to grow in both size and spirit.
With gratitude,
Tim Newman
Club President
|  | AUGUST CLUB RIDES SCHEDULE
Find your next ride on the club website.
Click Here
| UPCOMING MEETINGS
Rides Committee Meeting
1st Wednesday of the month at 7pm
The Salem Bicycle Club Board Meetings
Second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.
Online (not in August)
August General Meeting Saturday August 23rd along with Potluck
at Minto Brown Park
Zoom. please check the website for updates.
| The Salem Bicycle Club is an affiliate of the
League of American Bicyclists
1612 K Street NW, Suite 308
Washington, DC 20006
202-822-1333
We encourage our members to join the LAB | Spokes
Spokes is published and distributed via email each month by the Salem Bicycle Club in Salem, Oregon. The opinions expressed in Spokes are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Salem Bicycle Club.
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