Not to mix politics and sports, but I’m sure all of you football fans (and even most of you “non-12’s”) know that the Seattle Seahawks won this year’s Superbowl – Go Hawks! Speaking of hawks, Wally Davis from the Cascade Bicycle Club led another “Ride for the Raptors” ride in the Skagit Flats a few weeks ago. Even if you are not a big raptor guy like me, the ride was quite enjoyable despite the cold temperature. The birds didn’t seem to mind though, and we saw quite a few different species of raptors including a Short-eared Owl! Wally also led a “Ride for the Birds” ride earlier in February as well. Look for the Quick Alerts that I send out for his rides, or go to the Cascade Bicycle Club’s Website and check out their calendar:https://cascade.org/rides-events/ride-event-search

Weekly Rides

John’s weekly Tuesday rides continue to be well attended despite the bracingly cold weather we’ve been having recently. Steve Moe has taken the baton for the Social Pace Thursday rides and says they have been going well. Steve and Phil McCloud (Moderate group leader) have been sharing the same route. With what Steve describes as the “exceptional weather we’ve been having,” there were two rides in February (with another planned for February 26^th- after this goes to press) with an average of 9 - 11 riders participating.

Spring with its warmer temperatures is not all that far away, and more of us “fair weather riders” will surely want to be getting back in the saddle. Except for Jeanette Folkerstma’s Wednesday’s summer evening rides, most tend happen on weekdays during the day when some of us working stiffs are not able to attend. For some time now the club has been looking to attract younger members to join the club and come on the rides, so we’re looking for a few members that would be willing to step up and start leading more evening and weekend rides. If you think that you might make a suitable candidate as a ride leader, we could get you up to speed in no time. Talk with one of your friendly ride leaders or contact me atpresident@skagitbicycleclub.org.

Mardi Gras

The Skagit Bicycle Club's AnnualMardi Gras Partybeing held on March 7th is less than a week away! I recently sent out an all-member email reminding the members about the event and letting you know that the registration was quite low. After the email, the numbers crept up a bit but are still low. So please, sign up now if you are planning on attending. (Attention: There was a typo of the date in that email. It is onSaturday,March 7^that 6:00 PM.)

Here’s an excerpt from that email:

“We moved the event to a Saturday this year rather than having it on a weekday and moved it to a new venue, the newly completed Mount Vernon Library/Commons, in the hope that even more people will come out and join in the fun this year. If you have not attended a Mardi Gras party,you’rein for a real treat! As usual there will begood food, live music to dance to, and a chance to schmooze with some of your favorite ridingbuddiesas well as making some new acquaintances."
We know that folks often put off registration until late in the process, but we really need to know whether we’ll have enough people that are planning to attend the event. So please, don't delay, registerfor it today!Not onlywill this give us a better idea of how much gumbo to make (Julie Kinder has so graciously offered to make a batch of it this year), but unless more of you register for it soon, we will have to consider cancelling the event – sad face emoji.Mardi Gras Registration

Spring Classic

Registration for the 2026 Skagit Spring Classic is now open! This year it will be held on Saturday, May 9. There is a $15 discount for club members - the code is SBC2026. Please remember, this discountshouldnotbe shared outside of the club membership – thank you. Head to the Spring Classic tab on the website to learn more and to register for the event.

Planning for the Spring Classic is on track and as always, we could use some additional volunteers – remember, we simply could not be doing it each year without your help. This year we’re initiating a new team headed up by Kathy Yeager. Her team of “friendly faces” will greet the riders as they arrive, as well as help them navigate throughout the day. Most of the volunteer jobs can accommodate people who want to get in one of the rides as well. If you can help this year, contact the volunteer coordinator (wait, that’s me) atpresident@skagitbicycleclub.organd I’ll help find you a team that suits your fancy.
Here's a link to sign up to bake cookies -2026 Bake Cookies for the Skagit Spring Classic. Last year, thanks to John Loudermilk (AKA “The Cookie Monster”), we reached our goal and no riders (or volunteers) went without delicious home baked cookies. John will be heading that up again this year – thank you John

Guemes Island Ferry Trail

The officers and board members of Skagit Bicycle Club voted to kick off the Fundraising for Phase 2 of the Guemes Island Ferry Trail with a donation of $1,500. And boy, did we get a great shout-out! (See details and an excerpt from their newsletter below). Thank you Julie Kinder for researching this for us and for helping to make it happen.

Fundraising for Phase 1 of the Guemes Island Ferry Trail has met its goal of $70,000! Phase 2 will continue the trailfrom the Community Hall parking lot northward to Schoolhouse Park. The completed trail (Phases 1 & 2) will connect the Guemes Island ferry dock, the Store, the “Community Campus” (theChurch, Labyrinth, Library, and Community Hall),and all of the amenities at Schoolhouse Park (the stage, pavilion, playground, pickleball and tennis courts, basketball courts, and sports field).

Speaking of Phase 2

We are excited to announce that the Skagit Bicycle Club has officially kicked off GIFT Phase 2 fundraising with a very generous $1,500 donation!A letter included with the donation check read, in part, “Many of us in the Club enjoy riding on Guemes Island, and we actively advocate for safer cycling infrastructure in our area. We were pleased to learn of your project recently, and glad to help support it.”

The Skagit Bicycle Club is a very active not-for-profit bicycle club with a membership of about 250 local cycling enthusiasts. The Club provides group riding opportunities for all skill levels. You can learn more about the Skagit Bicycle Club on theirwebsite.

The Centennial Trail

Update by Phil McCloud

Very little of the Centennial Trail has been completed in Skagit County compared to Snohomish County, however, Skagit County is planning to complete the section between Big Rock and Clear Lake in the next two years. The County owns this right of way and has worked with Skagit PUD to allow them to install a new water line in exchange for preparing the right of way and bridge crossings for the completion of this portion of the trail. The trail is now ready for final completion for bicycle and pedestrian use. To aid this effort the Skagit Bicycle Club has pledged $10,000 towards completion of the trail. The trail is currently in the final design phase, and the County will soon be seeking grants for construction. The Club’s support will help the County as they seek funding for construction. We will continue to work with the County and their consultant to ensure that the trail is easily accessible, especially to bicyclists.

A Call for Photographs

Gordon Odegaard, a long time member of the club (but who hasn't ridden since before Covid)who passed away 0n December 25, 2025. His son, Bruce,is requesting any photos people may have of him. If you happen to have some photos, please email them to Anita Elder atanita@anitaelder.com.

And Last, But Certainly Not Least

I’d like to give a shout out to our newest members and give them a warm welcome!

• Terri Bakke-Schultz
• Eric Brooks
• Darrell Roberts
• Lunnet Tomasco

Bicycling as Brain Training:

How Your Bike Helps Fight Dementia

Most of us ride because it keeps us fit, gets us outdoors, or simply makes us feel good. But in the past few years, researchers have been uncovering something even more compelling: bicycling may help protect the brain from dementia.

A major long‑term study published in JAMA Network Open followed nearly half a million adults for more than a decade. One of its clearest findings was that people who regularly usedactive travel, especially bicycling, had a significantly lower risk of developing dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. The study didn’t just look at elite athletes or high‑intensity workouts. Everyday cycling counted.

Why would riding a bike have such a strong effect on the brain? It turns out that cycling is a remarkably rich form of “brain training,” even if we don’t think of it that way.

First, cycling is an aerobic activity, and aerobic exercise is one of the most consistently supported lifestyle factors for maintaining cognitive health. It improves blood flow to the brain, supports the growth of new neural connections, and helps preserve the hippocampus, the region responsible for memory.

But cycling goes beyond simple cardio. Every ride requires balance, coordination, and spatial awareness. You’re constantly adjusting to terrain, monitoring traffic, navigating turns, and making split‑second decisions. This combination of physical movement and mental engagement is exactly the kind of “dual‑tasking” that researchers believe strengthens cognitive resilience.

There’s also a psychological component. Regular cycling reduces stress, improves sleep, and boosts mood, all factors linked to long‑term brain health. And unlike some forms of exercise, cycling is enjoyable enough that people stick with it for years, which is essential because the protective effects of physical activity accumulate over time.

Biking with the Skagit Bike Club has the additional benefit of providing social interaction on group rides and other Club activities. Maintaining a robust social network is another important factor in mental decline as we age.

It’s worth noting that cycling isn’t the only activity associated with reduced dementia risk. Studies on computerized speed‑training games have shown benefits as well. But what makes cycling special is that it naturally blends physical exertion with mental stimulation in a way that feels effortless. You don’t have to sit at a computer or follow a program—you just ride.

For those of us in the Skagit Bicycle Club, this research is both encouraging and empowering. Every mile we pedal is doing more than strengthening our legs or improving our endurance. It’s helping build a healthier, more resilient brain.

So, the next time you head out for a ride, whether it’s a quick spin around the neighborhood or a long weekend adventure, remember that you’re not just training your body. You’re training your mind, too. And according to the latest science, that might be one of the most important benefits of all.

Gordon Odegaard Obituary

Born August 3, 1939, in Petersburg, Alaska, to Kristian and Agnes Odegaard, Gordon grew up in Petersburg and graduated from Petersburg High School in 1957. Beginning at seven years of age, he spent his summers commercial fishing with his father. During the school year, Gordon focused on his studies and pursued his passion for basketball. After graduation, he attended Ventura Junior College, Western Washington University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science, Northern Arizona University, where he earned a Master of Science, and the University of Iowa, where he completed his PhD.