Club Supports Other Century Rides, Awards Mileage
Salem Bicycle Club members are scoring mileage credits as they join out-of-town century rides.
The club’s Board of Directors is experimenting with a new policy encouraging members to join other century events with two goals: encouraging people to experience rides in other areas and supporting other clubs’ fundraising efforts.
It’s an evolving idea. The bike club has OK'd applying these miles toward members' annual mileage totals. It started when members traveled south last September to experience the annual Ride the Rim event around Crater Lake. A small group then joined the Pioneer Century in June. It was a reciprocal gesture; the Portland Bicycling Club regularly brings a large group to our Monster Cookie ride.
Another 13 club riders, meanwhile, traveled the same weekend to the Lebanon Strawberry Century in support of the Santiam Spokes Bicycle Club.
It doesn’t end there. Mileage credits are available on Aug. 11 during the Mid-Valley Bicycle Club’s Covered Bridge Tour. And, of course, the Crater Lake ride takes place again on Saturday, Sept. 7.
“These rides were recommended by the club rides committee and approved by the board on a test basis,” club president Tim Newman said. The committee will work with the board following the Crater Lake ride to develop a new policy for 2025.
Early feedback has been positive.
“We had a chance to support others who love road biking as much as we do,” Debbie Miller said following the Strawberry Century ride. “We met with people from the Santiam Spokes club, Mid-Valley Bicycle Club, and others. We talked about supporting each other's events in the future. The interactions brought us together as a cycling community and brought attention to Salem Bicycle Club.” |