For me, the holiday season is a contemplative time: the approach of the New Year sets my mind in motion. I think about the past year and the year to come. I don’t usually set resolutions for the New Year but I definitely like to take stock of the past. This year, as I start on that process, I am aware that I have so much to be thankful for: a great job in the bike biz, time to ride, travel, hang out with friends. As I pause and appreciate what this past year has brought me, I also consider what the holiday season really means.  I know that of all that I’m grateful for, there’s nothing more valuable to me than the feeling I get by helping others.

I don’t do as much giving and volunteering as I would like, and that’s probably true for most of us. However, I can tell you that for all of us that do just a little, there are many people in our community that do a lot. As the Community Outreach Manager for Bike Gallery I have the honor of responding to the donation requests the company receives. Through the hundreds of requests we receive I see just how many dedicated volunteers are working hard to give to others and the community.  From parents raising money for school programs to staff and volunteers from local non-profit organizations, daily I am amazed and grateful for all those people who give their time, energy, and resources.

I’m thankful for all of the generous souls who volunteer, donate to, and work for the hundreds of community-building organizations and schools in our area. There are many worthwhile charities and fundraising activities, but this season one in particular caught my attention.

That event is Keith Ticknor Fundraising Ride, planned for this Saturday December 20. Phil Brown, President of the Portland Wheelmen Touring Club (PWTC) called me about a month ago to ask for Bike Gallery’s help. One of their club members, Keith Ticknor, is battling cancer and the club had decided to help him and his family. Keith, a member of the PWTC since 1979, was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in July. The Portland Wheelmen have decided that they want to help the family with their financial difficulties, and are reaching out to the Portland/Vancouver bicycling community for assistance. The PWTC is a ride club, yet they have expanded their mission, and opened their hearts and wallets to support someone who has given so much to cycling community. I was saddened by news of Keith’s illness but moved by Phil’s call. Bike Gallery is joining them to support their fund-raising efforts, and so am I. The ride leader has a winter-weather plan so the ride will take place snow or shine. If you want to join the PWTC and Bike Gallery in helping the Ticknor family, don your winter cycle wear and head out to the ride start at the parking lot at 1777 SE Milport Rd (17th & Waverly Dr) at 11:00am. It will be a flat ride that will cover about 20 miles, followed by a pot-luck lunch. For more info about the ride or how to donate, e-mail Phil Brown.

If you can’t make it to the December 20th ride and want to put your pedaling power to good use, there are two rides planned for New Year’s Day. Chances are you have the day off so start  your year on a very positive note by joining one a benefit ride. Welcoming the New Year with a bike ride is a decades-old tradition but only for a couple of years has this ritual become a ride with a purposed it now helps l raise money for the Brett Jarolimek Memorial Fund, which supports bike safety projects in the memory of beloved Bike Gallery employee and bike racer. The Bicycle Transportation Alliance is organizing the ride, and will collect optional donations at the ride. The ride meets at Waterfront Park at noon and will take a leisurely course through our fair city – with hot beverages and snacks at the finish.  For more information contact Scott Lieuallen, BTA Volunteer Coordinator,  at scottl@bta4bikes.org or 503-226-0676 x2. 2 A second New Year’s Day ride, the Resolution Ride,  will benefit the Oregon Food Bank and is a great alternative for folks seeking little more time in the saddle. This casual, unsupported 50K ride led by the CEO of the Oregon Food Bank will start in Multnomah Village at 7am. For more information visit www.resolutionride.com.

If you can’t take part in any of these activities and like the idea of riding for a purpose, don’t worry, pre-registration has already started for the Worst Day of the Year Ride, a benefit for the Community Cycling Center, which will take place on Sunday February 15.

Can’t make that? Well, just stay tuned to our blog and 2009 ride calendar. Each year Bike Gallery sponsors over a dozen fund-raising rides and we’ll have information about all of them here.