Celebrating Tradition Leadership and Community
~Click link below to register for event~ | November: A Pivotal Month for Our Club
November holds special significance for the Salem Bike Club. It marks a time of reflection, renewal, and anticipation. As the year winds to a close, our club comes together to cast votes, prepare for the legendary 50th Monster Cookie ride, and share moments of camaraderie before the holiday season begins.
Club Elections: Shaping Our Future
This month, members have an important opportunity to vote and shape the direction of our club for the coming year. Your voice matters, and your participation ensures that the Salem Bike Club continues to thrive, grow, and serve our cycling community. We encourage every member to cast their ballot and be part of this democratic tradition. For the online voting to count we will need 52 or more members to cast their vote. We currently have 257 members. Your vote counts
Monster Cookie 50th Anniversary: Let the Preparations Begin
November also signals the start of preparations for our signature event: the 50th Monster Cookie ride. For half a century, this beloved tradition has brought together cyclists from all walks of life, showcasing the spirit and enthusiasm that define our club. Planning is underway, and we are excited to make this milestone celebration unforgettable for everyone involved.
One Last Gathering in 2025
Before the holiday season sweeps us into its festivities, November offers one final chance for our club members to gather, connect, and enjoy each other's company. Whether you're a long-time member or new to the group, we invite you to join us in celebrating and to look forward to future adventures together. | Nominees for Board
We are proud to introduce the dedicated individuals who have decided to help the Salem Bike Club into an even stronger 2026. Their commitment and vision will guide our club through new challenges and opportunities. Please take the time to get to know them, vote for them (or write in someone else when you vote) and welcome and support them leaders as we embark on a journey to serve and inspire our community. |  | Tim Newman
I am running again because my job is not done yet. In practical terms, 2026 will reflect the successes of 2025, guided by a steady hand and a willingness to adapt as needed. The adjustments we make will be deliberate small but meaningful steps toward greater effectiveness and unity. By remaining true to our mission and values, we will navigate the challenges and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead.
I invite you to join me in this ongoing journey. Your input, energy, and commitment are essential to the continued growth and harmony of our organization. Let us move forward with confidence, drawing strength from our past accomplishments and setting our sights on an even brighter future.
Together, we will write the next chapter-one defined by stability, efficiency, and shared success.
Thank you |
 | Steve Budde
I have been a bicyclist for most of my adult life but did not ride regularly or with a group of friends until I joined our club a few years ago. I truly love almost everything about bicycles and riding, and I love being a part of a big, group effort like The Monster Cookie.
If elected, I will continue to assist the President and the Board in all their various functions and duties. I look forward to working to make San Juan 2026 an even better tour experience . I am also interested in exploring another late summer of fall event type ride for club members, perhaps along the lines of a bike packing/touring trip
Thank you. |
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 | Debbie Miller
I am running again for Salem Bicycle Club board because the bicycle Club is very important to me in so many ways.
Not only do I love cycling but I love supporting every aspect of cycling in our area. My involvement with helping to organize the Monster Cookie, acting as the volunteer coordinator for Safe Routes to School, volunteering for events such as the Iron Man, community cycling events and activities, and staffing the Cycle Oregon rest stop really enriches my life.
I work hard to make Salem Bicycle Club a stronger organization and with your support, I would like to continue to do that in the years to come.
Thank you |
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 | Ken Freeman
I am looking forward to serving on the Salem Bicycle Club board once again and helping to guide the best volunteers in Oregon to another successful running of the Monster Cookie Bike Ride. Thank you in advance for volunteering!
Through my time with the club, cycling has become my main means of transportation. Last year, I clocked just under 5000 miles on my bike which is about 25% more than what I drove and almost twice what I have walked. I look forward to continuing to advocate for safer cycling opportunities in our growing community in the years to come.
I will also promise to do my best to continue to collect all of the staples, nails and bits of glass from our streets so that you don’t have too.
Thank you
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 | Jim Miller
I am running for the board of the Salem Bicycle Club. Cycling has been a special activity for me for the past few decades. I enjoy being part of the group experience of riding, and the comradery is important to me. So I want to support the Club and support cycling in this area. I want our members to have the best experience possible on our rides. I have contributed to the Monster Cookie event ride the past 2 years and will continue to do so. I hope our club can continue to encourage cycling in our community with programs for youth riders like Safe Routes to School, and help with sporting/cycling events such as Iron Man-Oregon. I hope our club can work to promote cycling and make this area continue to be the best for cycling.
Thank you
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Online Voting is now open
please cast your vote
Voting closes 11.7.25
Click Box to start
| Bonus Question after you vote
Recommendation for Volunteer Dinner Jan 2026
When choosing between the options, consider the following:
Budget constraints and the importance of keeping costs low for volunteers.
The desired atmosphere for the event—formal versus casual.
Organizational capacity for event setup and logistics.
Feedback from volunteers about past dinners and their preferences.
If budget is the primary concern and a more relaxed setting is acceptable, renting a space or using Painters Hall with delivered food offers substantial savings. If tradition, convenience, and a formal experience are priorities, Marco Polo remains a reliable choice, though at a higher cost per person.
Please share your thoughts or any additional considerations to help finalize the venue decision.
| Coming Soon! Online Ride Registration
Have you ever thought about signing up for one of our rides but wondered who else might be participating in the same ride? What if you knew beforehand who was going to be participating in the ride? Would this be helpful or even encourage you to ride? On days when multiple rides are offered, would this help you decide which ride to do? Well, we have some good news for you!
Beginning in the new year, we will be utilizing online ride registration through our SBC Rides/Events Calendar for each of our rides, which will give you the ability to see who is registered for the rides and receive important communications from the ride leader for any route changes due to unforeseen road construction or last minute ride cancellations. You’ll be able to register anytime before the ride, once it has been posted to the website calendar, even right up until the ride begins! We have been testing the online ride registration option during many of this year’s rides and have received a lot of great feedback and requests to expand its use. We have also identified several club benefits for using this option, and not just for the riders, but also for ride leaders and those who make things work behind the scenes.
Of course, with any change comes a little bit of a learning curve, as well as a period of transition but we are prepared to help you through both. Stay tuned for more information coming in the December edition of Spokes when we’ll provide you with the details of how to register for a ride utilizing our online ride registration through our SBC Rides/Events Calendar. In the meantime, if you have any questions please contact me.
| | Five Questions
Spokes asks a club member five cycling questions each month. This month's featured bike rider is Club Member George Schopfer. Here is what he has to say: | | |
1. What is your favorite club ride?
Silverton Loop. It has a little climbing in the first part of the ride. Then you go over Gallon House Bridge on the return.
2. What is your favorite out-of-town ride?
The Covered Bridges Ride out of Albany. Lots of things to see. Roaring River area for lunch stop is very nice.
3. Do you prefer to go uphill or downhill?
I like up hill to start the ride. It makes the return rewarding.
4. What is the best part of being a club member?
You usually have someone to ride with. Great to meet new riders and you can share repairs on the road.
5. Why do you ride your bike?
I enjoy the personal freedom of movement. I ride more miles than I drive now. I also like the company of other riders.
| ~Off The Back~
From the Desk of the President |
Fall is in the air and nominations have officially closed. The portal for voting is now open through November 6th. I encourage all members to take a moment to vote and help shape the future of our club.
While I understand that life can be busy, I had hoped to see more engagement and interest in serving on board. Thankfully, we are fortunate to have current board members whose terms were ending decide to self-nominate for another term and one other person willing to take the open position. Their continued dedication is greatly appreciated and has helped us maintain stability as we move forward.
Over the past year, our club has made tremendous strides, and I am proud of the progress we have achieved together. However, it is important to remember that at some point, a changing of the guard must take place to bring fresh perspectives and new energy to our leadership. I urge you to consider taking a more active role in the club, whether by running for a board position in the future or simply becoming more involved in club activities and initiatives.
We have worked diligently to streamline many responsibilities and reduce the time commitment required for board members. Our goal is to ensure that serving on board is rewarding and manageable, not a burden of time. Your participation and support are crucial to our continued success.
Thank you for being a valued member of our club. Please cast your vote by November 6th and consider how you might become more involved as we look ahead to another exciting year together.
Tim Newman
Club President
|  | Cycling Hood River: 3 Rides Along the Columbia Gorge
Set up a base camp and explore Rowena Crest, Klickitat Canyon, and the Mount Hood Fruit Loop.
Click to Read More
| NOVEMBER 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.
Zoom. please check the website for updates.
Annual Potluck, Swap Meet and Election Results
Click Link below to register
| 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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