September 2017 Top Talk

President Chip Kyle

This past month has been an active one for club members with many opportunities for participation. To begin, the normal, regularly scheduled club rides have seen increased attendance now that the weather is favorable. Ride leaders are reporting large turnouts at their rides, with many having 30+ riders!   Pretty impressive!   Next, we had great turnout for the San Juan Islands trip during the second week of August. See the report elsewhere in this QR for a report from Kathleen Hellem of that ride and fun that all enjoyed. Immediately following that trip was the club picnic. We had 125 club members register for the event. Despite the slightly damp beginning to the day (and the brief, but noticeable, rain shower while we were eating) it was a fine day for a ride (we offered three different distances), picnicking and getting together with fellow club members. Special kudos to Benn Schonman for organizing the event as well as Ann Morrow and Kathleen Hellem for ably assisting. Finally, as I am writing this, the Idaho ride is just starting. Again, this popular ride has “sold out” due to the opportunity to see moose (is there a plural for this?).

This past month has also, unfortunately, seen a rash of accidents that have put club members in the hospital, sent others to the emergency room and sent others to their doctors, chiropractors and physical therapists. It’s an understatement that this has been a tough month for the club. Please remember that riding a bike can be dangerous and we need to be careful and alert. On a similar note, we also need to remember that we share the road with cars and trucks and that we need to adhere to traffic regulations. Just today, I witnessed a rider run one red light, then a second red light, and a different rider pedal through a crosswalk full of pedestrians. If we want to be respected by drivers and share the road with other vehicles, then we need to follow the same rules as they do!

Of special note, there is a new bikeway that PBOT says is ready for riders. This is a new 9 mile stretch that connects the Springwater Corridor with NE Lombard Street. The bikeway roughly follows 28th Avenue, but jogs periodically to parallel streets for stretches. At difficult intersections, bike-friendly crossing signals have been installed as well as two-way bike lanes to guide riders along the way. Check it out!

Finally, on a personal note, being forced into inactivity due to the back surgery I had at the beginning of June, gave me extra time to read and be involved other less strenuous activities. One of the more philosophical items I encountered and would like to pass along to you is:

The purpose of life is to discover your gift.

The work of life is to develop it.

The meaning of life is to give your gift away.

Ride Safely!