President's Report for October

Greetings Fellow Cyclists.  I truly hope you enjoyed the fine weather we enjoyed in September.  October brings the rain, but I hope you can find some dry times to ride.

Charlene and I went to Europe from August 21 to September 11to ride in Albania for several weeks.   We went with the Cross Canada Cycle Touring Society and they hired Cycle Albania to conduct the trip.  The company supplied us with Ebikes at a very reasonable price.  We really enjoyed the countryside riding, but the big towns were somewhat challenging due to the crazy drivers.  No one got injured though.  Albania is a lower end country with a lower cost of living so not as fancy as Italy across the Sea.  Next year, we go back to Portugal for several weeks. 
September was a big bike month in Pierce County starting with our Headwaters Century Ride on Saturday 9/6.  On 9/12, a Friday, David Wittenberg and others Pedaled with Tacoma and Pierce County's politicians including a roll down J Street Neighborhood Greenway.   The Spiketon Ditch Bridge Opening Ceremony was on Saturday 9/13, but it had been open all week.   The Pierce County Trails Conference was on Thursday,  9/25 in Puyallup.  Seven of us got updated on the Pierce County Parks Trail plan and other activities related to Tacoma and WSDOT.  Finally on Saturday, 9/27, I led a ride to the Parkland Community Trail Groundbreaking Ceremony and we continued on to JBLM secret entrance,  Audubon Lake and the famous Exchange Tavern from 1895.
During September, Marika, a newer member, led two rides to accomplish her cycling goals.  On Saturday 9/20, she led her 62 mile ride to Enumclaw with several members.  Then, on Saturday 9/27, she led her 75 mile ride on the Yelm-Tenino and Chehalis Western Trail with at least six people.  I see 100 miles in her future next year. 
This month, Downtown On the Go has their annual fundraiser function on Thursday, 10/9.  It is at UW  Tacoma Snoqualmie Powerhouse from 6 to 8 pm.  I have my ticket to support them and enjoy some food and drink.  You may know our club supports Downtown On the Go as we rely on them to provide advocacy in the City of Tacoma.
Our combined Officers and Club meeting is on Tuesday,  10/14 at the Wheelock Library at 6 pm.  We will be reviewing our annual $2,500 donation to five like minded organizations and reviewing a proposed budget for next year.  We still need a Secretary and Special Events Coordinator.  A new member Greeter and a Sympathy volunteer would be great too.  If you have the time,  please consider making our meeting. 
On Thursday, 10/16, you have the opportunity to review the Regional Transportation Plan at the Point Defiance Pagoda from 5 to 7:30 pm.  
I hope we all have a safe and healthy October.   It is time to bring out the rain bikes. 
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