The arrival of fall means I’m officially in the home stretch of my term as president. So, as a self‑declared lame duck, I’m about to bend my vow to keep these reports bipartisan and apolitical.

You may have seen reporting in the New York Times describing how the current administration has recently targeted bicycle infrastructure, dismissing bike lanes as “DEI pet projects” and redirecting federal transportation funds toward roads and bridges. And in a moment that still makes me shake my head, the president—raising his hand as if taking an oath—once said, “I hope [Biden] has recovered because as you know, he fell off his bicycle. No, I’m serious. I hope he’s okay. Fell off a bicycle. I make this pledge to you today—I will never, ever ride a bicycle.”

Closer to home, you can read the first draft of Mount Vernon’s proposed ordinance amending Chapter 10.56 (“Skateboards, Roller Skates, and Motorized Personal Transportation Devices”) and Chapter 12.32 (“City Parks and Trails”) of the MVMC. The draft is available here: https://mountvernonwa.gov/1497/E-Bikes-in-Mount-Vernon#docaccess-eb210594a3fdad4b6e1b6558bfd3a41c

If you want to learn more about local e‑bike rules, safety guidance, and where you can ride in Mount Vernon, the city has a dedicated page here: https://mountvernonwa.gov/1497/E-Bikes-in-Mount-Vernon

And in the spirit of presidential commentary, here’s another recent quote from your “other president’s” Truth Social site: “The only control or ‘guardrails’ that Ai needs is a STRONG AND SMART (High IQ) PRESIDENT, and the U.S.A. has that, in spades!”

Readers should confirm political information with trusted sources.)

This inspired your much humbler president (I’ll let you decide whether “stronger and smarter” applies) to see what would happen if I asked Google’s AI to “Write me a president’s report for the Skagit Bicycle Club’s newsletter, Saddle‑Post Intelligencer.” The result was eye‑opening, though I’m more than a little frightened by how, and why it came up with some of what it did. Some features were fairly accurate; others were way off base.

The next seven paragraphs are what it produced. I won’t blame you if you were to skim past them—but please make sure to rejoin me afterward, when your flesh‑and‑blood president resumes the writing of the president’s report beginning with the Skagit Bicycle Club Annual Meeting & Dinner (see below).

As we move deeper into the season, I continue to be impressed—and genuinely inspired—by the energy our members bring to every ride, event, and conversation. Whether it’s a brisk morning climb, a social spin to a coffee shop, or a long‑planned weekend adventure, the spirit of this club shows up in full force.

Riding Together

Our weekly rides have been well attended, and it’s been great to see both familiar faces and new riders joining the group. The variety of routes and paces means there’s truly something for everyone. A special thank‑you to our ride leaders, who keep things safe, organized, and fun. Your commitment is the backbone of our club.

Community & Connection

One of the best parts of SBC is how cycling brings people together. I’ve heard from several members who say they’ve discovered new roads, new friendships, and even new confidence on the bike thanks to this community. That’s exactly what we aim for—cycling as a way to explore, connect, and enjoy the beauty of Skagit County.

Club Initiatives

We continue to make progress on a few important efforts:

• Ride Leader Support: Our semi‑annual ride leader meetings have strengthened communication and consistency across rides.
• Member Engagement: We’re seeing increased participation thanks to ongoing outreach and the welcoming atmosphere you all help create.
• Safety & Education: We’re working on fresh content for safety tips, maintenance reminders, and best practices to keep everyone rolling smoothly.

Fall brings some of the best riding of the year—cooler temperatures, quieter roads, and those unmistakable Northwest colors. Keep an eye on the event calendar for upcoming rides, social gatherings, and opportunities to get involved. If you’ve been thinking about leading a ride or helping with a club project, this is a great time to step in.

A Note of Appreciation

Thank you for being part of this club. Your enthusiasm, kindness, and willingness to show up—whether on two wheels or behind the scenes—make SBC a truly special community. I’m grateful to ride alongside you.

See you out on the road.

— Barry Antler, President Skagit Bicycle Club

Skagit Bicycle Club Annual Meeting & Dinner

The 2026 SBC Annual Meeting is less than a week away and will be held on Wednesday, October 7^th at 6pm at the Mount Vernon Library/Commons 208 W Kincaid St. Mount Vernon, WA. Please enter via the doors on the corner of Kincaid St. and 3^rd St. (Northeast corner).

will be provided by the club. Spiced dry rub salmon and Dublin broil will be catered by Shawn O’Donnell’s Farmhouse. An assortment of soft drinks will also be provided-- alcohol is permitted on the premises so feel free to BYOB.

After the meal we will hold election of officers and miscellaneous club business.

Guest Speaker

This year’s guest speaker will be Anita Elder Anita will be reading from, and promoting her new book, Finding Freedom on Two Wheels: How Two E-Bikes Helped Me Reclaim My Health, Confidence, and Sense of Adventure

“This book isn’t just about riding e-bikes. It’s about discovering that life doesn’t stop because we get older. Sometimes all it takes is finding something that reminds us we’re still capable of more than we ever imagined.

If you’ve ever thought, 'It’s too late for me,’ I hope my story changes your mind.”

And if you’re looking for an inspiring read—or know someone who could use a little encouragement—you can find Finding Freedom on Two Wheels on Amazon in paperback, audiobook and Kindle versions. Anita will have a limited number of copies available for purchase.

Please plan to attend on October 7^th. You can register by clicking on the date on the event calendar on the SBC website (the same process as signing up for a ride – you will need to be logged in).The cut-off to provide a headcount to the caterer will have come and gone by the time that this goes to press, however, if you would still like to attend be sure to register anyway and please join us -- usually there is extra food, and we'd welcome your participation.

We hope to see you there! Please feel free to bring a guest.

Leadership Roles

The slate for the Skagit Bicycle Club’s open board and officer seats has nearly been filled. We are still currently looking for a Vice President. If you have the time, skills, or interest in contributing, we’d love to hear from you. Serving as an officer is a meaningful way to give back to the cycling community and help shape the future of the club. Please, we would like to get the slate filled before our annual meeting in October when members vote to select our officers for the coming year.

The current candidate slate is as follows:

President: Steve Moe joined the SBC when he and his wife moved to Anacortes after a long career with Boeing. He’s currently serving a 3-year term as a board member. He has been an avid cyclist for many years and has a desire to participate in helping the club achieve its goals and objectives. To that end, Steve has been instrumental in organizing a campaign to increase rider participation and to facilitate semi-annual ride leader meetings just to name a few.

Vice President: Your name here!

Treasurer: John Laudermilk - A native Texan, I grew up in Houston and received a degree in Civil Engineering from The University of Texas. I am a Professional Engineer in the state of Texas, have been President/Partner of a structural engineering firm since 2005, and am in the gradual process of retiring. I moved to the Pacific Northwest in 2023, where my wife Sarah and I have owned property since 2015. I’ve been riding bicycles as long as I can remember, including many organized rides such as the MS150 from Houston to Austin, Texas. I joined Skagit Bicycle Club as soon as I arrived in the area, and have volunteered with several SBC projects, including serving as the Skagit Spring Classic Rest Stop Coordinator for the last two years. My wife and I are also members/volunteers with Newcomers+ in Anacortes, where we live. I look forward to serving as the Skagit Bicycle Club Treasurer.

Secretary: Jack Eisaman - After community college, I spent a little over a year working for Household Finance before beginning what became a 40‑year career at Boeing. I held a variety of administrative roles, starting in Finance, Scheduling, and Operations. During that time, Boeing supported my education, allowing me to earn a bachelor’s degree in business and later a Master’s in HR. After 15 years with the company, I stepped away to open a Blimpie Subs & Salads franchise in Kent, which I operated for two and a half years. I eventually returned to Boeing for another 25 years, spending the last 23 of those in Human Resources. I rode the Centennial Trail occasionally—and without fail every Fourth of July for the past twenty years. Nine years ago, I bought my road bike and found myself riding much more often. Becoming part of the Skagit Bicycle Club has been a real joy. It’s helped me meet new friends and discover parts of the area I never would have known without some truly great rides.

Board Members:

Jacqui Ilman has been an active member since 2021 and am eager to bring my past committee and leadership experience, both personal and professional, and enthusiasm for cycling to the Skagit Bicycle Club Board of Directors. As a frequent road and gravel rider you can find me participating in the club’s weekday rides, registering cyclists for our annual Spring Classic, organizing the semi-annual Bridge Sweep, along with decorating children’s bikes and helping to recruit new riders during Anacortes Open Streets. This hands-on involvement has provided me with a deep understanding of what makes this club special, as well as where it can grow. One of my goals is to reach out to both members and non-members to foster a more inclusive environment for riders of all skill levels and to continue to support our mission. Hope to see many of you at our October meeting to share a meal and discuss your ideas.

Lynette Tomaso was born in Reno Nevada. I loved the outdoors, sports and being a nurse. I moved to Washington 20 years ago. I live on property that belonged to my great grandparents. I love Washington and the life I have with my animals and my partner. I’m retired now and enjoy my newfound biking activity and friends I have made with the SBC. I haven’t served on a board before but I do take seriously my commitments. I look forward to a new and adventurous experience if you will have me.

Jennifer Streng-Roberts is a healthcare leader, clinical consultant, and enthusiastic cyclist who believes some of the best connections happen on two wheels. When she’s not working in healthcare or tackling a Zwift workout, you’ll find her out on her Orbea chasing miles, hills, and the occasional Gran Fondo. Jennifer brings years of leadership, collaboration, and program-building experience to the Skagit Bicycle Club Board and is excited to give back to the cycling community, help create opportunities for riders of all levels, and share the sport she loves with others.

Rides

As discussed in our past newsletters the ride leaders met to talk about club engagement and how we can grow participation in the rides and hopefully membership.To that end we’ve been offering a wide range of ride opportunities (in addition to our typical Tuesday/Thursday offerings) throughout the summer and early fall.

The Summer Concert Series (July/August) culminated with a picturesque ride in the hills, past four lakes and through some lovely farm country just to the north of Mount Vernon. We happened upon a herd of mares with their young foals as they sprinted across their pasture. It was quite a sight to behold! The rides garnered a decent turnout with more members joining in for the music afterwards.

Three Island Series – Steve Jahn led a ride to Orcas Island in June, and Steve Moe led one to Lopez Island in August. Both rides were a blast! Jannette Folkertsma also led a wonderful ride on Lopez as well as one on San Juan Island. I heard from one of the attendees that it went swimmingly.

There were a couple of gravel rides on sections of the Cascade Trail with one more on the books planned for the first week in October.

Second Bicycle Maintenance Class

The Skagit Cycle Center in Burlington will soon be offering a second bicycle maintenance class this Fall/Winter. They have asked me to poll the membership to ascertain what topics our members would be interested in. Please feel free to contact me with your suggestions – president@skagitbicycleclub.org. We will also be polling members at the annual meeting.

Presentation of the winner of the Summer Ride Series and Promotion

The Club will be providing a $150 restaurant gift card to the member who participated in the most club-sponsored rides during the period of May 1 – September 30. The winner of the promotion will be announced during the annual meeting in October.

If you have a favorite ride you want to share you can share ride details to steven.moe@me.com and we will work to get it into our weekly offerings.

Safety Tip of the Month:

We will also be awarding a $50 gift certificate from Skagit Cycle Center for the person that came up with the best safety tip. John Laudermilk will be taking home the certificate for the following: “Ride a straight line. Try not to wobble or move side to side. Other riders in the group can anticipate much better when you ride a straight line. I visualize myself attached to the back of a pace car and try to ride in a ‘still’ position.” Thank you, John, for playing along.

New Members

A hearty welcome to our newest members: John Davis, Jeanne Kuban, Andy Lohrmann, and Nancy Varvil.

Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn,
Winter and Spring

By Dave Olausen

As the days get shorter and the temperature starts to edge cooler and often wetter the motivation to continue riding your bicycle as consistently as you have all summer becomes more of a challenge. The colder and wetter conditions of autumn, winter and spring can make it a challenge to continuing your summer gains in fitness and pleasure with riding with friends on group rides. One aspect of this change of weather means that additional equipment and clothing for the more harsh conditions of riding outside are necessary.

With less bright sunlight, wearing clothing that is bright in color or designed for high visibility is of benefit for safety while riding on public roads. Warmer clothing that is water resistant or water repellent but is not too restrictive for ease of movement while riding is needed to be safe and comfortable. A head cover, whether under or over your helmet, is a key piece of kit to provide protection and comfort while riding. Possibly the most important item for non-summer riding is the selection for the gloves you pick to wear for your ride. It seems that fingers are the first to be either too hot or too cold. Shoe covers or booties can add an amazing amount of comfort for warmth and water protection, also saving shoe wear and tear. And depending on their color, can add immensely to the eye catching ability you have to be seen or noticed by the cars and trucks you are sharing the road with.

Depending on the temperature and rainfall of the day and time you are riding, the choices you make for the clothing, head and shoe covers you select to wear for the ride will allow for a pleasurable experience or dictate a miserable time not wanting to be repeated. Unfortunately, usually needing to purchase different options of jerseys, jackets, tights and caps, then wearing them to find what works best for you, and learning mostly by trial and failure or success under the different conditions we find ourselves out riding. If you are in need or wondering what works best for your riding buddies I suggest that you ask them what they have found that works best for them. It probably won’t be perfect for you but will give you some solid feedback that you can draw upon for your selections.

The darker days mean that riding with lights during the day, both front and rear on your bike, are even more important than ever. Having a good bright headlight and taillight on your bike gives you the greatest visibility possible to motorists sharing the roads that you are riding on. For your headlight keep in mind the oncoming traffic and even though you want to have a bright light you don’t want to irritate or blind those drivers. There are options of different light colors, blinking patterns and solid light intensities. And remember to position the aiming of the headlight to direct it slightly down away from the eyes of the oncoming drivers. For your red taillight, positioning it pointed slightly downward so as to lessen blinding your fellow riders is appreciated and recommended. Putting fenders on your bike if it doesn’t already have them becomes of great benefit to keeping the majority of the road water and dirt off of you and your clothing. These offer your bike less accumulation of dirt and debris which decreases its need for more frequent and comprehensive maintenance and less water on your clothes means that you are less cold and dirty and having more fun.

More frequent and comprehensive bicycle maintenance will need to be performed as wet roads become more common as the year progresses. Primarily this will focus on the drive train including the chain, cassette, chain rings and derailleurs that need to be cleaned and lubricated. Doing this will minimize wear and deterioration from dirt/grit and rusting of the steel parts. Not attending to this important task adequately will lead to more frequent replacement need of these expensive components.

Even with the added trouble and expense of additional equipment, clothing and bicycle maintenance, continuing to ride your bike into and through autumn and winter and spring will see you not only maintain your riding fitness but become stronger and capable of much more when summer riding season comes around again. Have fun and always be safe out there on the road.