Jun - vbc

June
2016
Thank You
With RACC now behind us, I would like to send out a sincere thank you to each and every
one of you who made it a success! So many of you have set aside your personal time to
volunteer and I know that an event of this magnitude cannot be successful without your
efforts! You brought smiles and happiness to almost 1,000 riders.
First and foremost, a big thank you to Mary, our RACC chairperson. Mary examined
recent years, listened to suggestions and decided what to keep and what to change.
Over the past few years she has taken us from 4 rest stops to 7. We now can count on
porta-potties where we need them and plenty of them. She worked with her map team
to reroute the 18-mile RACC out to Frenchman’s Bar, the gem of Clark County, which
opened up the possibility of a 53-mile RACC for those who chose to ride the classic 34
combined with the new 18er. There was coffee at the winery, extended registration
hours for the two shorter routes and a lowered price. Mary clearly spent many, many
weeks to plan, organize and fill the 200+ RACC jobs. This is a huge undertaking and
once again, under Mary’s leadership, all enjoyed yet another successful year.
Just as important is the support our members show! From everything that happens preride regarding website, registration, data entry, mapping, permits, barricades, food
purchasing and prep, road marking, loading, organizing, trucking and setting up-- to
what is seen with our volunteers coordinating on-site registration, mechanical help, rest
stops, and road support. There is so much energy put into this event.
For some, it was their first time riding RACC and for others, it was the ride they look
forward to each spring that they have ridden for many years. This is also a ride that
many will remember for the rest of their lives as they completed their first family ride
together on the 18-mile course. For those lucky riders, they were rewarded with
luscious brownies at their rest stop! I fully expect numbers to double next year for the
18-mile ride for this reason alone! There were also riders who completed their first
metric and full centuries. I remember my first completion of each; this is something
riders will carry with them for the rest of their lives and you were a part of it.
I spoke with many people at the different stops both new to RACC and returning riders,
all very happy and excited to be out as it was the perfect day for riding. One common
theme at each stop were smiles and appreciation. I heard so many riders saying thank
you to all working. I know those working behind the scenes and most likely registration,
don’t get to hear the appreciation, but please know your help is just as valuable as those
who were at the stops feeding the masses.
Your time not only creates happiness for those riding, but you are also creating
excitement for those kids who will be receiving new bicycles on Christmas morning along
with supporting other charities in Clark County. None of this is possible without you!
Please know that we on the board and in the community recognize and appreciate your
time and effort! There is so much hard work put in on many different levels. I would
like everyone to walk away from this feeling respected for the work and time you have
given for a job well done! We have an amazing club with wonderful people. I feel proud
to be a member and I hope you feel the same as well.
--Mick Heither, VBC Prez
Connect. Give. Lead. With VBC.
A Noteworthy Bike Fit
Welcome New Members
Oregon Scenic Bikeways
June Ride Calendar
Secret Recipe
Washougal Race
Remarkable Riders
VBC Business Friends
Arte and Cindy
RACCtoids
Summer is here.
Think safety.
Every time you ride.
Think of yourself.
Think of other riders.
Think of people on foot.
Think of people in cars.
It’s a group effort.
Ride Lots
We have
3 evening rides now
Kelley Point – Monday
Prune Hill & Lacamas – Wed.
Beginners – Thursday
Yea Summer!
Also new-Gran Fondo EAST,
Similar to WEST, but…East.
Check the online calendar
Next Club Meeting
July 13
Bike Swap
 Bring your bikes
 Bring your bike goodies
 Help other riders get the
gear they need while you
tidy the closet and garage
We’ll be outside the Aero
Room in the parking lot, so
plenty of space to try bikes.
More info later.
NO club meeting in June.
Join VBC Team ALS
webor.alsa.org/goto/teamvbc
Support riders,
Ride July 9th, or both
Want more information about us? Find us online at www.vbc-usa.bike
Ride Calendar
Our RACC Ride
Ride Descriptions
NW Events Calendar
Buddies List
Maps & Cue sheets
Contact Us Info
Silly pictures
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Our Business Friends
News You Can Use
VBC Business Friend Focus
360 Physical Therapy
Tim and Sharon Bridgman
Read their story, page 5
At our February board meeting, Ken outlined
our “Business Friends of the Club”. He
mentioned 360 Physical Therapy as one of our
“friends” and that they do bike fits.
Just to report in…
- I went to 360 Physical Therapy for a bike fit
- For $175, I received: Initial meeting of 1.5
hours. Follow up appointment was 45 minutes
(after I had time to ride for a few weeks on the
new settings)
I priced around other bike fits…and they were
all in the ballpark of $150-$200. So pricewise it
was similar.
What I was so impressed with is Krista, the
physical therapist who did the fitting. She spent
the first 45 minutes literally giving me an
overall physical exam, exercises to do for
strength, etc. Then, she got me on the bike to
make modifications.
I have a history of knee issues - so it was
meaningful to me to see someone who could
take such an interest in making sure it was right
from a medical background.
I hope this information is helpful.
–Thanks for sharing with us Sally!
Lou Korf
Gerrie Johnson
Andrew Fletcher
Jan Davey and John Davey
Jo and Tim Annable
Jim Thomas
Ruth Brown
Lamar Bryant
Trinity Walker and Dave Riggs
Gita Haij
Don Meyer
Tiffany Wageman
Bruce Colven
Davie and Teresa Maxwell
Bill and Nita Woodard
Marie Krokenberger
Steve Coward
Steve and Heather Laslo
Welcome!
Event rides on 4 of Oregon’s
Designated Scenic Bikeways
Local proponent groups have organized rides this spring and summer for the Old West,
Cascade Siskiyou, Blue Mountain Century and Cascading Rivers scenic bikeways. Oregon’s
Scenic Bikeways are the most beautiful road riding in the state.
Join a small group of riders on one or more rides that offer full support, meals, sag wagons and accommodations. All
rides are organized by the local proponent groups and most have a limit of 50 riders, with some exceptions. For links
to all of the events and more information rides go to www.oregonscenicbikeway.org and click on the individual ride
link or see the links below for details and registration.
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Old West, June 9-12. Three-day, 199-mile ride includes accommodations and most meals. For more information
and registration, visit http://bit.ly/OldWest2016
Cascade Siskiyou, July 23. Appropriately called the Up and Down Ride, you’ll travel 51 miles and gain about
5100 feet of elevation. Barbeque lunch served after the ride. For more information and registration,
http://bit.ly/UpandDown2016
Blue Mountain Century, Sept. 17-18. Organizers shuttle riders to Ukiah for the first day. Includes gourmet
barbeque dinner served Saturday night in Heppner. For more information and registration, visit
http://bit.ly/BlueMountainCentury2016
Cascading Rivers, Sept. 17-18. The family friendly one-day ride is 12 miles. Other one-day ride options range
from 38-52 miles. Your luggage is transported for you and all meals are provided on the two-day event. For more
information and registration, visit http://bit.ly/CascadingRiver2016
VBC is on Facebook - join the group and the fun
https://www.facebook.com/groups/VanBicycleClub/
June Ride Calendar
1 Earthquake, Prune Hill & Lacamas NEW SERIES
2 Cruiser with Friends, Beginner Series, Non-Throb
3 Salmon Creek Brush Prairie
4 Gran Fondos WEST
5 Two Bridge Loop
6 Early AM Ride, Frenchman’s, Wheel Truth, Kelley Pt
7 Cruiseliner & Starliner Express, Tour de Friends
8 Earthquake, Prune Hill and Lacamas
9 Cruiser W/ Friends, Beginner Series
10 Salmon Creek Brush Prairie
11 BG Show N Go, WG-Hockinson Meadow Pk
12 North Ride, I-205 Path Clean-up
13 Early AM Ride, Frenchman’s Bar Park, Kelley Point
14 Cruiseliner & Starliner Express, Tour de Friends
15 Earthquake, Prune Hill and Lacamas
16 Cruiser w/ Friends, Beginner Series, Non-Throb
17 Salmon Creek Brush Prairie
18 Gran Fondos EAST NEW SERIES
19 Two Bridge Loop
20 Early AM Ride, Frenchman’s Bar Park, Kelley Point
21 Cruiseliner & Starliner Express, Tour de Friends
22 Earthquake, Prune Hill and Lacamas
23 Cruiser with Friends, Beginner Series
24 Salmon Creek Brush Prairie
25 Battle Ground Show N Go
26 North Ride
27 Early AM Ride, Frenchman’s Bar Park, Kelley Point
28 Cruiseliner & Starliner Express, Tour de Friends
29 Earthquake, Prune Hill and Lacamas
30 Cruiser w/ Friends, Beginner Series, Non-Throb
Secret Recipe: Trail Putty, It’s Not Just for RACC Anymore
 2 C peanut butter
 1 C honey
 2 C dry, instant milk
Mix in order given. Knead a time or two. Wrap. Can freeze.
Consider additions. You might add more peanut butter for consistency.
 Chopped chocolate
 Chopped dried fruit
 Toasted coconut
 Substitute the nut butter of your choice
For sponsorship and volunteer opportunities for this event,
please contact [email protected]
For more registration, event, and course details visit
www.camasbikes.com
Info on OBRA, www.obra.org and NICA go to
www.mationalmtb.org
Oregon XC Series details at www.oregonxc.org
Check the ride calendar online for updates.
Join the Buddies List open to all for impromptus.
http://vbc-usa.com/mailman/listinfo/buddies_vbc-usa.com
“Race for the Future” Mountain Bike Event
Washougal MX Park, Saturday, June 18th
Camas Bike and Sport and Beaverton Audi will host this OBRA sanctioned mountain bike race that is part of the
Oregon Off-Road Series and the championship race for the Junior Mountain Bike Series. Junior categories will get
their own heat separate from the adult racers. To bring awareness to the growing sport of mountain biking for kids,
this event is a fundraiser for our student mountain biking program and NICA, the National Interscholastic Cycling
Association. $10 from every registered racer will go directly to support NICA. As the closest XC mountain bike race
in the greater Portland metropolitan area, this is the perfect event for racers and spectators alike. Racers can
discover the thrill of XC racing at Washougal MX Park, with a combination of flowy single track, service road
climbs, high speed descents, and even ripping part of the famous Motocross track itself. The course, depending on
category and class, will be 2-4 laps on 4-5.5 mile route lasting 1.5 to 3 hours. For spectators this a perfect event to
attend and one of the few XC races that incorporates multiple course laps enabling spectators to watch racers’
progression throughout the event. Free Kiddie Race is the highlight for our youngsters open to 2-10 year-olds.
Bring the whole family: it’s a great way to kick off the Father’s Day weekend!
“Washougal MX Park is much more than a Race Course for Motocross, come discover the hidden MTB trails there!”
Registration is now open, for adults entry fee is $55 and $20 for juniors. Race entries received between May 26th
and June 16th save $5 on an adult entry. Entry fee includes post-race gourmet lunch from Feast 316 and drink (Mill
City Brew Werks for the over 21 crowd, Lemonade for the juniors from Hungry's Bakery). Medals to top 3 riders in
every category and general prize raffle, courtesy of our generous sponsors Beaverton Audu, Sram, The Lumberyard,
Cycleops, Tifosi Dumonde Tech, Gravity Cartel, Specialized, Norco and more!
“Go to bed. Drink beer. Eat pies. Get fat.”
Tim Bridgman’s answer to “What will you do when you’re done?” “Done” for Tim means he will have biked around
the world and raised money for ShelterBox.
Tim spoke to us at the library on his way up the west coast to Alaska, where he will be “done”. While most of us
nodded appreciatively at his sentiment regarding post-trip plans, I’m betting none of us believed his answer.
How does one wind up traveling the world by bike? First, get a wife who asks, “What would you really like to do in
life?” Next, tell her you’d like to pedal the world. Last, actually believe you can and decide to “have a go at it.”
“It’s about what you want to do. It’s your life. Deciding what you want is the hardest part.”
Really? Not the dangers, mechanicals, money, navigation, food, shelter and language barriers? Tim had biked over
33,000 miles by the time he reached us. His presentation did include significant difficulties: bears, stoning, worstin-300-years flood waters, getting lost, “roads” of mud, dust, salt, stones and ruts.
But we heard far more about fun, learning, people, adventure, beauty, animals, love, kindness, and challenge.
Heavy on the FUN. Once he wanted eggs, but couldn’t speak the language, so he flapped his folded arms, clucked,
and reached around his backside, pulling out an (imaginary) egg. The women of the market place, looking noticeably
uncomfortable, pointed him quickly down the hallway. To the restroom.
Tim’s bike was broken, stolen, and trashed. Patagonian winds ripped sunglasses off his face at 30-40mph.
But what finally “ended” Tim’s journey was the death of Sharon, his wife, friend, and constant companion on this
adventure. She was hit and killed by a car. Tim returned to their home in England to handle affairs and his grief.
He found he could not be at home without her, so he flew back to Bolivia to start again.
Sharon had been a very strong person. “Once three disks in her back went out. She went to work anyway, lay down
on the floor, and ordered people around. She came home and gave me orders, too.” Tim knew that for himself and
for his wife’s memory, he had to finish what they had set out to do as a couple.
Back in Bolivia, Tim buried the box of many loving letters he’d received. Then he got on his bike and pedaled.
How do you define courage? Probably it looks different in each person’s life. Most of us won’t live “courage” Tim’s
way although he stressed, “I’m just an ordinary guy,” and “Don’t judge yourself by what others do.” Wise words
from an “ordinary” guy, doing extraordinary things.
Tim Tips:

Don’t ride a 140-pound bike alongside Kenyan runners. They’re too fast.
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When entering a new country, ask the border guards how to say basic things: yes, no, toilet, food, water.
And eggs.” [Ed. Note: Maybe add “chocolate” and “tea” to the list. Seems to have saved the day many
times during their trip if you read their blog.]
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Go to Patagonia. There’s no rubbish.
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Just think of a long journey as lots and lots of day trips. Without going home.

Don’t ask for directions. People don’t know. “Oh, it’s not very far, turn left, it’s all downhill.” None of
them have a clue about headwind either.
Tim and Sharon’s blog, itinerary, absolutely stunning pictures, and detailed list of supplies:
https://north2northcycletour.wordpress.com/
Learn about and contribute to their remarkable charity, ShelterBox:
http://shelterbox.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1079124&supid=436674648
Patronize VBC Business Friends and Keep It Local
http://www.vbc-usa.com/about-us/discounts-and-benefits/
Schroeder’s Schwinn
Camas Bike and Sport
Salmon Creek Cycle Co
Vancouver Cyclery
360 Physical Therapy
Western Bikeworks
Bad Boyz
Bortolami’s Pizza
Vancouver Family Dental
We’ve Got Your Back Chiropractor
Weir’s Cyclery
Arte Johnson or Cinderella?
“When I got into cycling, I decided I ought to get cleats, shoes, and pedals like I saw others using. I did. I fell over
at the first stoplight in a busy intersection.” That’s often called the Rite of Passage. (Other terminology exists, too.)
“My LBS (local bike shop) set me up with pedals and cleated shoes. Off I went with my wife. On the first steep
hill, I forgot to shift down, couldn’t get power, couldn’t unclip and fell over. I thought I’d get better or the pedal
grip would loosen up. It didn’t and I went down again. I gave up, dragged my bleeding body to the LBS and said,
“Hey! What the---!” LBS told me about the ability to loosen the tension. Late, but learned.”
PEDALSPEAK Primer
Bike shoes - overall –stiffer foot bed and designed to accept cleats. Styles include sandals, shoes, and boots. Closures
include lace-ups, bungees, zippers, Velcro, dials, and ratcheting straps.
Reversible pedals – One side is a platform pedal, the other side allows you to clip in. Can use regular or bike shoes.
Mt bike shoes – aggressive tread on sole and recessed cleats for hopping off bike and pushing, etc. Much easier
walking on regular surfaces and fairly quiet. Many people use them who aren’t mt biking for ease of walking.
Road shoes – bike shoes where the cleat sticks out from the sole. More power. Dicier walking. Cleat covers to reduce
the “click” and reduce wear on the cleat, but generally designed for on-the-bike use with limited off-bike walking.
Cleats – attachments on the bottom of bike shoes to clip into “clipless pedals”. There are quite a few varieties.
Clipless pedals – quite a variety of pedals for different types of riding with cleated shoes. Tension IS adjustable!
Platform pedals – flat pedals that accept regular shoes
Toe clips – metal or plastic attachments on platform pedals to hold your foot on a pedal. You slide your foot in and
out. Less power. Use with regular shoes.
Clipping in and out – attaching the feet securely to the clipless pedals (huh?) Some say the term refers to the old
technology of the toe clips.
WHY USE CLEATS AND CLIP-IN?
 Power – down stroke, sweep back, upstroke
 Security - no foot slippage when wet, hitting potholes, starting off, pedaling fast
 Alignment – there’s an art to keeping our legs, knees, ankles and feet safe with the
repetitive motion of cycling
DOWNSIDE?
 Kerplunk - Is there anyone who when first using clipless pedals and cleats, forgot, rolled to a stop, and did a
super imitation of the Laugh-In guy on his trike, Arte Johnson? Everyone?
 Bike shoes are required.
 Inconvenience -if your commute requires lots of stopping and restarting or you want regular shoes at destination
MAINTENANCE?
Clean, check wear, check to make sure they’re securely attached – like pretty much everything else on a bike
CINDERELLA
Don’t let the threat of the fall oppress you. Get help from your prince (buddy, LBS, or internet) and choose your
glass slipper to enjoy remarkable fortune. See you at the top of the hill.
POST-RACC TIDBITS
1. Three riders were so excited about riding RACC-- they forgot to bring money or a check.
2. A family of three came all the way from Aberdeen to do the new 18-mile Frenchman’s Bar route.
3. One person circled the 34-mile ride and wrote in $34 for the amount needed to pay. Sweet!
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
A family of four came down from Tumwater to do RACC. Mom and two kids did the 18er. Dad did the 66 miler.
31 kids rode RACC: fourteen 13 to 17 year-olds, and seventeen under 12.
Many kids did not indicate what ride they intended to do, but one did indicate the century route.
We had 971 riders.
High temperature for the day: 86 degrees. And sunny.
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
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PO Box 1456
Vancouver, WA 98668
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Ride safely and have fun!
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