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August2025 Saddle Post Intelligencer Newsletter

Anita L Elder | Published on 8/5/2025
Skagit Bicycle Club
Saddle Post IntelligencerNewsletter
August 2025
President's Report

byWarren Tessler

 

August…some of the best riding weather of the year (fingers crossed).

Hopscotching the news a bit…the SBC picnic is rapidly approaching. If you are planning to attend, please sign up on the event calendar. More picnic details further along in this newsletter.

As you’ve likely concluded via the regular reminders, we are still seeking a VP candidate (sigh!). I’m not sure what I can say differently than what I’ve said before about how importat it is that we have new people get involved in leadership of the club. It’s not hard, it will not take over your life and it needs to be done. Really. If you have any inclination at all to step up, please let me know. More details on the VP opportunity further along in this newsletter.

Last month’s newsletter contained an article on how to ride safely in groups. I suggest that everyone go back and read it again or at least review what you know about riding safely and commit to practicing it. We recently had an incident on a club ride that resulted in an accident and injury to the rider. The injury was sufficient to result in an ambulance ride and a few days in the hospital. The involved member is recuperating and doing well, but it will be a little while until he’s back on the bike.

Incidents like this are rare for us as a club, but they do happen. Yes, we have ride leaders to “manage” the group, but it’s everyone’s responsibility to follow the rules of the road. Let’s please be careful out there.

As a last note, for anyone looking to ride somewhere different, take a look at the event calendar. It seems to me that our ride leaders are making extra efforts to mix it up out there. They’ve all always made it a point to regularly schedule rides all over the county which enhances the weekly club rides. However, in June we saw a tour of the bike paths of eastside Seattle, and in July we saw rides on the Cascade Trail in Concrete and a ride to the Oso Memorial starting in Arlington. I’m rather curious to see what’s coming in August.

Enough for now…see you on the road…

 

Warren
Cycling News

A few weeks ago, I had an opportunity to participate in a Cascade Bicycle Club group ride. The ride leader did a safety brief that I thought was worthy of sharing. I reached out to Cascade and received permission to share their Ride SMART guidance. This is a great refresher and something we can all keep top of mind as we are out enjoying our two-wheel freedom.

Ride SMART

Stay Alert
  • Momentary inattention is the number one cause of incidents.
  • Watch for vehicles, bicyclists, pedestrians and hazards (e.g. curbs, potholes, railroad tracks, glass, debris)
  • Do not wear earbuds or use phones while riding.
Maintain Space
  • Move off the road or trail when stopped.
  • Leave enough room in front of you to avoid other riders, vehicles and hazards.
  • Ride at least four feet from parked cars, outside the door zone.
Act Safely and Predictably
  • Wear a properly fitted helmet.
  • Ride in a straight line.
  • Stay right, pass left.
  • See and be seen.
  • Be courteous and a good bike ambassador.
Respect the Rules of the Road
  • Obey all traffic laws.
  • Bicycles are allowed to treat stop signs as yields if no other vehicles or pedestrians are present.
  • Use hand signals when turning or stopping -- if it is safe to do so. Show everyone around you what you are going to do before you do it.
  • Single file is safer. Bicyclists have the legal right to ride two abreast and to take the full lane when necessary to give adequate space to ride safely. In most cases, riding single file is safer.
  • Yield to pedestrians. They have the right of way.
Think Ahead and Talk
  • Scan ahead and anticipate what others will do.
  • Tell others what you are going to do by saying: "Stopping", "Slowing", "Passing on your left". Announce "Broken" when the group becomes separated.
  • Call out hazards such as: "Glass", "Sand", "Post". Use your outside voice.
  • Do not yell "Clear" at intersections. Everyone should check for themselves.
  • Cross railroad tracks at a right angle whenever possible. Warn other riders and plan your approach to ensure safe crossing.
Washington State Department of Transportation has a comprehensive website for Bicycle Laws & Safety. It was good to spend a few minutes browsing the list and refreshing my knowledge.

https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/bicycling-walking/bicycling-washington/bicyclist-laws-safety

Having a good understanding of the rules of the road and acting on that understanding will go a long way in creating and promoting a positive cycling image as well as ensuring we all ride another day!

See you out on the road – Steve Moe

 
What's Happening

 

SBC Summer Picnic

 

The SBC summer picnic is coming. Saturday...August 9th. Everyone is invited. There is no charge for this event. We provide the BBQ, you bring a dessert and whatever you choose to drink (alcohol not permitted). There will be 3 rides (2 moderate and 1 social) of varying length/intensity beginning at 10am. Riders will be returning to the picnic area around 12 when the eating will commence. If you're not riding, just come at noon. As in past years, the picnic will be at Riverfront Park, 901 River Road in Sedro-Woolley. Please register on the event calendar so that we know how many folks to plan for.

 

Vice President Needed for 2026

As mentioned in the July newsletter, we have an opening coming up for club Vice President in 2026 when our current VP, Barry Antler, moves up to President.

The basic job of the VP is to shadow the president, so as to be ready to take over as president the following year. The VP chairs the board meeting in the president’s absence. All board members and officers are asked to contribute at least one article to the newsletter each year. The VP may assist or take the lead on various aspects of organizing club events such as the Spring Classic, the summer picnic and Mardi Gras party. The VP may assist or take the lead on special purpose committees or projects that may come up (revising the club’s bylaws, etc.) The VP’s term is one year after which time they are expected to move to the president position for another year, making it a two year commitment.

You may recall that the newsletter also listed an opening for board member. Just after the newsletter went out, I was contacted by a member who volunteered for that position, so that one is covered. The VP slot is still open.

The VP job (and that of President the following year) is important; however, it is not terribly time consuming or burdensome. As with many things, it is what you make of it. Having worked with the board and officers for several years now, I can tell you that everyone is engaged and participates in sharing the load of whatever the task at hand may be.

If you are open to considering this opportunity, but need more information before committing, please contact me. I'm happy to call or meet to discuss it and answer any questions you may have. Please reach out...wtessler48@gmail.com360.941.3014

 

 

A Random Act of Kindness

Erstwhile member Mary Hart was signing up for the Tour de Whatcom and saw a notice that they were looking for sponsors for the rest stops. On a bit of a whim, she signed up for one of the rest stops and then promptly donated the opportunity to the Skagit Bicycle Club. As a result, we had the SBC banner flying proudly at a rest stop at the TdW.

Included in the sponsorship were two free entries, which Mary offered up via a quick alert. The lucky winners, i.e. first to respond, were Kit Wennersten and KIm Erickson. Mary rode with Kasey Jensen, Kit and Kim and met up with Jesse Cabrera along the way.

Safe to say, a good ride was had by all and SBC got some nice visibility out of the deal. Thank you Mary!

 

Upcoming Events in WA

Find even more events athttps://westcoastcyclingevents.com/

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