PAGE A14, KEIZERTIMES, AUGUST 20, 2021
Monster Cookie Ride returns for 45th year
Monster Cookie Ride coordinator Hersch Sangster tightens a pedal at one of the bike repair stations at Keizer Rapids Park, where the 2021
ride begins. Submitted by Helen Caswell
BY HELEN CASWELL
For the Keizertimes
“We’re starting up the Cookie Ride
again,” said Hersch Sangster of the
Salem Bicycle Club, “and we’ve got cook-
ies galore!”
Sangster is coordinator for Salem’s
45th Monster Cookie Bicycle Ride, an
event that draws bicyclists from around
the country and even internationally, and
folks who are eager to enjoy the glories
of the Willamette Valley in a non-com-
petitive and welcoming environment.
This year’s ride has three options for
riders who come out on Sunday, Aug.
29th. Some will want to tackle the Big
Cookie (62 miles), others the Half a
Cookie (31 miles) and for newbies and
youngsters, there is the Mini-Cookie, a
family ride that begins two hours after
the Big Cookie group has left and runs
6.2 miles.
The event is traditionally held in
April, but the 2020 ride was shelved due
to COVID, and this year’s was pushed
back.
Back in 1976, when Sangster and
other bicycle enthusiasts developed the
ride, a whopping field of only 12 riders
participated.
“All were relatives that felt sorry for
us,” he joked.
But more members of the Salem
Bicycle Club, and their friends, quickly
joined in the fun. One year the Ride
hosted more than 2,000 cyclists,
including bikers from Europe, Mexico,
Australia and other countires.
Sangster is anticipating a smaller
group this year, perhaps 500 riders, due
to COVID. This privileged bunch will
have a great day, according to Chris Hoy,
Salem City Councilor and enthusiastic
biker.
“Monster Cookie is a wonderful ride
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for people of all skills,” said Hoy. “The
Salem Bicycle Club has been sponsor-
ing this wonderful event for 45 years,
while opening up the world of organized
cycling to so many.”
Hoy, who has participated in the Ride
many times himself, added, “This ride is
a confidence builder for those who aren’t
sure of their skills.”
The fundraising event promotes bicy-
cling, bicycle safety and this year, safer
bike routes to schools in Salem and
Keizer. It will also be promoting the City
of Keizer's bike helmet program.
The Monster Cookie of 2021 has a
new starting and ending point in Keizer
Rapids Park.
“It’s the most fun ride in the
Willamette Valley and a beautiful route,”
Sangster said. “If you have not been out
in the Valley this year, you’re going to
see filbert orchards, hop fields, vineyards
and cornfields. Mt. Hood, to the east, is
right there.”
The longest route, at 62 miles, travels
north on French Prairie Road with a rest
stop at the Zielinski Farm along the way,
and finds a pleasant halfway point at the
picnic area at Champoeg State Heritage
Area. Lunch will be served there to those
that have ordered it, and others will
bring their own.
Mary Ann Sangster was the origi-
nal baker of the famous “Ride” cookies
in the early days - until the numbers of
participants grew too large. She said she
enjoys everything about the day.
“It’s a wonderful social event. You can
see other people’s bikes, and see how
By STEVE BREEN
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