Event Rides - Salem Bicycle Club

HomeMonster Cookie Event 2025

Celebrating 50 Years

Monster Cookie Metric Century
Online Portal closes April 22nd

Saturday April 25th Pre-check-in AND register at
Scotts Cycle in Salem
from 11am-2pm
MC 50 Apparel for sale as well
(avoid the line on ride day)

Sunday April 26th, 2026

Bike Rodeo is a hands-on, community-based educational clinic designed to teach children and young adults the essential skills needed for safe bicycling. Usually held in a large, car-free area like a parking lot or playground, these events use a series of interactive stations to build confidence and reinforce traffic safety rules.

Typical Event Structure

A bike rodeo is generally organized into several key stations that participants rotate through:

Equipment Safety Checks: Professionals or volunteers conduct a basic mechanical inspection of the bicycle (the "ABC Quick Check": Air, Brakes, Chain) and ensure that helmets are properly fitted.
Skills Courses: Using chalk-drawn "streets" and traffic cones, children practice specific maneuvers such as:
- The Slalom: Weaving through cones to practice steering and control.
- Scanning: Learning to look over their shoulder for traffic while maintaining a straight line.
- Braking: Practicing controlled emergency stops without skidding.
- Slow Race: A balance challenge where the last person to cross the finish line wins, provided they don't put a foot down.
Traffic Simulation: A mock road course with stop signs, intersections, and crosswalks where participants apply rules of the road and practice hand

Monster Cookie Metric Century 2026 - 4/26/2026

Mail In Registration and Release of Liability Do not send in after 4.15.26

To Volunteer for Event Click This Link

Volunteers Needed

You are needed as a volunteer to help our 50^th Monster Cookie to be the best ever!

Volunteering early:

Gives you more options to select how you would like to contribute

Can give you input on how something is done

Enables me to focus on fewer “holes”

Lets me relax knowing our needs are covered

Current opportunities include:

Helping Karen Freeman to plan, purchase, and organize the food for our rest stops

Joining one of two teams to check/clean and mark the route

Joining one of two teams to remove the route markers after the ride

Monitor and help riders at difficult intersections and railroad crossings

Working with the sign company to put out and pick up required traffic signs

Many other spots including helping load, unload, and staffing tables at the start/finish

All opportunities are listed on the SBC website as part of the volunteer sign-up page for the Monster Cookie. Some tasks take more effort than others but all are important. Of the tasks listed above, only the monitoring of difficult spots along the course, precludes one from also riding.

If you are one of the many members who have already stepped forward, thank you.

Should you have any questions, please email me at: volunteer.sbc.salem@gmail.com

Thank You, David Philbrick, Monster Cookie Volunteer Coordinator

To volunteer, go to the SBC website

If a member, sign in

Click on the “Volunteering” button

Below a bunch of opportunities to narrow a search you should see a “Monster Cookie” box with a green “button” on the right

Clicking on that green button will give you a list of volunteer opportunities. Click on those that are of interest to you. Click on the appropriate button when finished. You will then get a summary page with the option to “Save” your entry. Once saved, your entry will be saved and recorded.

The Monster Cookie: Kicking Off Spring Cycling in the Willamette Valley

Celebrating 50 Years of Scenic Rides, Community Spirit, and Tribute to Salem’s Legacy

For half a century, the Monster Cookie has marked the official start of the spring biking season for cycling enthusiasts. As the first large-scale event ride of the year, it has become a beloved tradition for riders eager to shake off winter and embrace the open roads of Oregon’s Willamette Valley. For the third consecutive year, the adventure begins at McNary High School, continuing the event’s story.

As cyclists roll out from McNary High School, the new route thoughtfully leads participants through the heart of Salem, Oregon’s capital city. Riders have the special opportunity to pause at the State Capitol, take memorable photos, and pay tribute to the city that gave birth to the Monster Cookie tradition, a tradition that has united the cycling community for fifty years.

The Monster Cookie continues to offer participants a unique chance to experience the natural beauty of the Willamette Valley. On clear days, riders are treated to breathtaking views of four majestic Cascade peaks, creating a backdrop that is both inspiring and memorable. The route meanders through lush farmland, rolling hills, and charming small towns, ensuring every mile is filled with picturesque scenery

Highlights of the Event

Optional Climb to Mt Angel Abbey: Adventurous cyclists can opt for a challenging ride up to the iconic Mt Angel Abbey, a historic and serene destination that offers panoramic views and a sense of accomplishment upon reaching the summit.

Delicious Local Treats: The journey wouldn’t be complete without a stop at the Willamette Valley Pie Company. Riders can refuel with mouthwatering pie and fresh coffee, savoring local flavors and enjoying the camaraderie of fellow participants.

Community and Tradition: More than just a ride, the Monster Cookie is a gathering of the cycling community, welcoming riders of all skill levels to share in the excitement, challenge, and joy of the season’s first big adventure.

Why Ride the Monster Cookie?

Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or a newcomer to group rides, the Monster Cookie promises an unforgettable experience. It’s an opportunity to set personal goals, explore the stunning landscapes of Oregon, celebrate fifty years of tradition, and connect with the spirit of Salem. With its rich history, festive atmosphere, and thoughtful route, this event is the perfect way to kick off your spring riding season.

Put on by Salem Bicycle Club