Santiam will be hosting a beginner ride starting at Crossler Middle School at 6:30pm Wednesdays. We would like to start from downtown, but have concerns for the high volume of traffic with newer riders. We will start from Crossler until we can decide upon a route that is comfortable for new riders nearer the shop.

The ride will be a short introduction to road riding and the rules and behavior associated with getting out on your bicycle safely. No rider will be left behind.

We plopped a few designs out on our Cafe Press store, so have a look. Using Cafe Press will not only allow for access to tonnes of options, but also loads of ideas. Meaning, we can now involve all of you in coming up with designs. If you have any, send an electronic copy to troy@santiambicycle.com or stop by. All proceeds of this endeavor will go to a local, as yet to be determined, cycling initiative.

Santiam will be holding free bike maintenance classes every third Sunday of the month from 6-7pm. This class is intended to address flat fixes and basic bike adjustments. If you'd like to attend simply show up a few minutes before 6 and hang out after hours to answer questions and play with tools.

Sign up and be counted.

54cm Felt F2 with new Dura-Ace Di2 group in stock! Come check it out.

Do you commute by bike? Would you like to? Please join the Mid-Willamette Valley Bicycle Transportation Alliance on the last Friday of every month for Breakfast on Bikes. We serve up coffee, fruit, pastries, and good cheer! The location varies monthly. For the next location see the blogspot below. We'll be there 7am to 9am. For a map as well as next month's location, see www.breakfastonbikes.blogspot.com.

DMV is now offering Share the Road license plates. See the DMV website for details and to get your plates.

Santiam Bicycle is an avid supporter of the Bicycle Transportation Alliance's bicycle safety programs. The BTA teaches courses in 4th-5th grade classrooms, meeting numerous curriculum benchmarks mandated by the state of Oregon. The Bicycle Safety Education Program brings resources into schools, including a trained instructor, a fleet of 33 bikes, helmets, brochures and pamphlets, safety vests, videos, and other equipment. Our ten-hour curriculum is split into four hours of in-class and six hours of on-the-bike instruction. Classroom lessons include an introduction to bicycle safety, rules of the road, helmet fitting, bike equipment and a bike safety check. On-bike lessons include bike handling skills, hazard avoidance, right-of-way, lane positioning, intersection practice and one or two community rides. In addition to teaching safety, the program increases youth bicycle ridership. The BTA works with schools to improve their on-site bicycle facilities (including bike racks) and to promote cycling at the school. Teachers and administrators are introduced to ways to make the school environment more bicycle friendly. Volunteer participation is key to the success of the bicycle safety education program. Help us reach out to children in your community by sharing your bicycle knowledge and enthusiasm! We offer trainings and volunteer orientation materials to get you up to speed. You may join us as a bicycle mechanic or ride leader working closely with BTA staff to guide small groups of students on community rides on the streets around their schools. Volunteer shifts are two or three hours, either in the morning or the afternoon during the school day. We need 3 or 4 volunteers per shift - so bring a friend! We’ll provide training and volunteer orientation materials. Together we can teach children to ride safely and independently! BTA Bike Safety Education classes can also be sponsored. Contact Development Director Kristie Perry if you would like to sponsor a class. The BTA also trains instructors, coordinates program logistics, and assists with fundraising and volunteer coordination. More information at the shop or visit BTA4bikes.org.

Community Cycling Center is a non-profit organization that focuses on recycling unwanted bicycles and reconditioning them to distribute to the community. Santiam Bicycle is always accepting bikes for this program. More details here: www.communitycyclingcenter.org

Salem Bicycle Club will get you rolling this new year with Wednesday rides at 10 am or 6:15 pm, also Tues and Thurs evening rides. In addition to their regular 10 am Saturday and Sunday rides join John Henry Maurice for a "Saturday Century" - see www.salembicycleclub.org for the full listing.