Priscilla and Jerry Rhoads, her Cycling Chauffer
by Lisa Brill on Dec, 30 2023
Priscilla is a cycling dog. In the past 10 years she has often been seen on the roads between Colver Park and Talent. Having missed only a few riding days in her life, it is estimated that she accumulated over 30,000 miles while being towed by a recumbent tricycle. To accomplish this feat of endurance, she enlisted the aid of one of our Siskiyou Velo Club members, Jerry Rhoads.
Jerry began preparing for the position of dog chauffer in 1975 when his brother talked him into training for a bicentennial crossing of the United States in 1976. The brothers completed the event but were unable to get a ride back to California. They turned their bikes around and re-crossed the US to get home.
To further prepare himself for riding with Priscilla, Jerry participated in many super-endurance events. He completed the daunting “Markleeville Death Ride” (130 miles and 16,000 feet of climbing in one day) several times. He entered the famous “Paris-Brest-Paris” event (720 miles) and finished under the 90-hour limit. Many years he rode over 15,000 miles – and that did not include the miles with the trailer and Priscilla.
Over the years, Priscilla went through several bikes and at least three trailers but had only one man. Priscilla took her last ride in early December. A week later, Jerry was honored by the Velo Club for having been a member for over 30 years. He smiled when he saw the framed certificate and quietly passed away a few days later, on December 26.
Priscilla has now moved to California and regales her new dog friends with stories of cycling the roads of Oregon.
Many thanks to Jerry’s good friend, Bill Tout, who wrote this memory of Jerry and Priscilla.
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Scheduled Rides
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Saturday, Apr 27
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{"id":6284,"title":"Velo Melo","description":"Start time and location vary. 25-30 miles, Mellow pace (11-14 mph). Some hills.","start_location":"Start Location Varies","unprefixed_start_location":"Start Location Varies","pace":"Mellow (11-14 mph)","terrain":"Some Hills","distance":"25-30","ride_leader":"Lisa Brill","phone_number":" ","email":"lisa4bikes@gmail.com","time":"Start time Varies","date":{"timestamp":1714287540,"formatted":"Saturday, Apr 27","midnightTimestamp":1714201200,"dayOfWeek":"Saturday"}}
Velo Melo
Start time Varies: Start Location Varies
25-30 Miles, Mellow (11-14 mph), Some Hills
Contact: Lisa Brill -
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{"id":674,"title":"Brisk Ride","description":"Brisk rides are for strong riders who want to ride at a brisk *average pace, with occasional sprints, and brisk climbs. The route and starting point will vary - expect some climbing and, in fact, on most days, a lot. Riders should know how to make repairs. Riders are expected to review online and understand the planned route. The Brisk group is NOT a no-drop group, slower riders are discouraged. <br \/>\r\n*Average Speeds \u2013 The speeds listed are average speeds maintained for the entire ride, not the minimum or maximum speeds. To maintain the average ride speed, riders will ride far faster and far slower at times. While not required, a cycle-computer is helpful to judge average speed. In some situations, leaders may feel the conditions justify a slower average minimum speed.","start_location":"Start Location Varies","unprefixed_start_location":"Start Location Varies","pace":"Brisk (>18 mph)","terrain":"Hilly","distance":"50+","ride_leader":"Dennis Cramer","phone_number":"541-773-5804 ","email":"scramer5804@charter.net","time":"Start time Varies","date":{"timestamp":1714287540,"formatted":"Saturday, Apr 27","midnightTimestamp":1714201200,"dayOfWeek":"Saturday"}}
Brisk Ride
Start time Varies: Start Location Varies
50+ Miles, Brisk (>18 mph), Hilly
Contact: Dennis Cramer - 541-773-5804
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Sunday, Apr 28
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{"id":2975,"title":"Moderate Ride 10\/29","description":"I know a lot of folks are headed south to Chico this weekend. I wish I was, too. As an alternative, I'm offering a moderate road ride on Sunday down in the Scott Valley. This is an old club favorite. Takes a bit to drive there, but it's worth it. The weather will be cool but not cold and it should be dry (fingers crossed). <br \/>\r\nWe'll start at Fort Jones at the Forest Service parking lot across from the Ray's Market. We'll make a loop through the Quartz Valley then try some back roads down into Etna where we'll stop for refreshments. From there it's a few more back roads then back to Fort Jones via Eastside Road. We'll only be on Highway 3 for a short time with this route. <br \/>\r\nDistance: 42.9 miles<br \/>\r\nElevation change: 1333 feet (there are NO significant climbs, just a few rollers in the QV)<br \/>\r\nAverage: 13-15 mph<br \/>\r\nStart time: 11 a.m. Will cancel by 8 a.m. if needed.<br \/>\r\nBe sure to give yourself ample time to drive there. It's a good 20 minutes from Yreka. <br \/>\r\nRide is limited to club members only who have signed the liability release.<br \/>\r\n<br \/>\r\n<br \/>\r\n<br \/>\r\n","start_location":"Meet at <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/maps.google.com\/?q=Forest+Service+Ranger+Station+in+Fort+Jones+CA\">Forest Service Ranger Station in Fort Jones, CA<\/a>","unprefixed_start_location":"<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/maps.google.com\/?q=Forest+Service+Ranger+Station+in+Fort+Jones+CA\">Forest Service Ranger Station in Fort Jones, CA<\/a>","pace":"Crank it Up (13-15 mph)","terrain":"Some Hills","distance":"43","ride_leader":"Ed Broyles","phone_number":"edb10856@gmail.com","email":"edb10856@gmail.com","formatted_time":{"hour":"11","minutes":"00","meridiem":"am"},"time":"11:00am","date":{"timestamp":1714327200,"formatted":"Sunday, Apr 28","midnightTimestamp":1714287600,"dayOfWeek":"Sunday"},"encoded":"{\"id\":2975,\"title\":\"Moderate Ride 10\\\/29\",\"description\":\"I know a lot of folks are headed south to Chico this weekend. I wish I was, too. As an alternative, I'm offering a moderate road ride on Sunday down in the Scott Valley. This is an old club favorite. Takes a bit to drive there, but it's worth it. The weather will be cool but not cold and it should be dry (fingers crossed). <br \\\/>\\r\\nWe'll start at Fort Jones at the Forest Service parking lot across from the Ray's Market. We'll make a loop through the Quartz Valley then try some back roads down into Etna where we'll stop for refreshments. From there it's a few more back roads then back to Fort Jones via Eastside Road. We'll only be on Highway 3 for a short time with this route. <br \\\/>\\r\\nDistance: 42.9 miles<br \\\/>\\r\\nElevation change: 1333 feet (there are NO significant climbs, just a few rollers in the QV)<br \\\/>\\r\\nAverage: 13-15 mph<br \\\/>\\r\\nStart time: 11 a.m. Will cancel by 8 a.m. if needed.<br \\\/>\\r\\nBe sure to give yourself ample time to drive there. It's a good 20 minutes from Yreka. <br \\\/>\\r\\nRide is limited to club members only who have signed the liability release.<br \\\/>\\r\\n<br \\\/>\\r\\n<br \\\/>\\r\\n<br \\\/>\\r\\n\",\"start_location\":\"Meet at <a target=\\\"_blank\\\" href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/maps.google.com\\\/?q=Forest+Service+Ranger+Station+in+Fort+Jones+CA\\\">Forest Service Ranger Station in Fort Jones, CA<\\\/a>\",\"unprefixed_start_location\":\"<a target=\\\"_blank\\\" href=\\\"https:\\\/\\\/maps.google.com\\\/?q=Forest+Service+Ranger+Station+in+Fort+Jones+CA\\\">Forest Service Ranger Station in Fort Jones, CA<\\\/a>\",\"pace\":\"Crank it Up (13-15 mph)\",\"terrain\":\"Some Hills\",\"distance\":\"43\",\"ride_leader\":\"Ed Broyles\",\"phone_number\":\"edb10856@gmail.com\",\"email\":\"edb10856@gmail.com\",\"formatted_time\":{\"hour\":\"11\",\"minutes\":\"00\",\"meridiem\":\"am\"},\"time\":\"11:00am\",\"date\":{\"timestamp\":1714327200,\"formatted\":\"Sunday, Apr 28\",\"midnightTimestamp\":1714287600,\"dayOfWeek\":\"Sunday\"}}"}
Moderate Ride 10/29
11:00am: Meet at Forest Service Ranger Station in Fort Jones, CA
43 Miles, Crank it Up (13-15 mph), Some Hills
Contact: Ed Broyles - edb10856@gmail.com
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Monday, Apr 29
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{"id":676,"title":"Monday Coffee Ride","description":"The ride includes moderate to brisk riders who travel along a fairly flat route from Phoenix to Jacksonville. The route includes mostly lower volume roads without shoulders or those with moderate traffic with moderately wide shoulders. The exception is on ODOT's OR238 (i.e. Hanley Road) where there are no shoulders and the volumes are moderate. <br \/>\r\n<br \/>\r\n<br \/>\r\n<br \/>\r\n","start_location":"Meet at <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/oNb33UeC755DmBmd8\">Colver Park in Phoenix<\/a>","unprefixed_start_location":"<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/maps\/oNb33UeC755DmBmd8\">Colver Park in Phoenix<\/a>","pace":"Moderate \/ Brisk (14 - 18+ mph)","terrain":"Some Hills","distance":"25-30","ride_leader":"Dennis Cramer","phone_number":" 541-773-5804","email":"scramer5804@charter.net","formatted_time":{"hour":"10","minutes":"30","meridiem":"am"},"time":"10:30am","date":{"timestamp":1714411800,"formatted":"Monday, Apr 29","midnightTimestamp":1714374000,"dayOfWeek":"Monday"}}
Monday Coffee Ride
10:30am: Meet at Colver Park in Phoenix
25-30 Miles, Moderate / Brisk (14 - 18+ mph), Some Hills
Contact: Dennis Cramer - 541-773-5804
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Thursday, May 2
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{"id":6916,"title":"Thursday morning Ride","description":"Tony Hayes and I are starting a regular Thursday ride for vaccinated members who like to climb hills. Routes will be 20 to 40 miles ridden at a brisk-light pace with 1500-3000 feet of elevation gain. <br \/>\r\nUnless specified, rides will start from the Parking lot across the bridge from the Jacksonville Library. The planned starting time for September 1st is 8:00 AM, however, starting times may be delayed or canceled due to poor weather or air quality conditions. I will endeavor to send an email notice by 7:00 AM when these situations occur. Although this is a \u201cshow and go\u201d ride, initially I will appreciate notification by email if you plan to participate.","start_location":"Meet at <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/place\/Jacksonville+Public+Library\/@42.3151272,-122.9694233,825m\/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x54cf78f236921923:0xc6d49959ea1e3a9e\">Jacksonville Library<\/a>","unprefixed_start_location":"<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/place\/Jacksonville+Public+Library\/@42.3151272,-122.9694233,825m\/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x54cf78f236921923:0xc6d49959ea1e3a9e\">Jacksonville Library<\/a>","pace":"Moderate \/ Brisk (14 - 18+ mph)","terrain":"Hilly","distance":"20-40","ride_leader":"John Fries","phone_number":"541-973-1586","email":"friesj@sbcglobal.net","time":"Start time Varies","date":{"timestamp":1714719540,"formatted":"Thursday, May 2","midnightTimestamp":1714633200,"dayOfWeek":"Thursday"}}
Thursday morning Ride
Start time Varies: Meet at Jacksonville Library
20-40 Miles, Moderate / Brisk (14 - 18+ mph), Hilly
Contact: John Fries - 541-973-1586
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Blogs & News
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Might want to practice your parade-wave-while-riding skills before you go.
Latest headlines from BikePortland | 04/26/24 | 12:27pm
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Bikers and walkers aren’t ‘vulnerable’, drivers are dangerous
The term 'vulnerable roadway user' draws attention to the symptom when more focus is needed on the source of danger.
Latest headlines from BikePortland | 04/26/24 | 9:08am
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Jobs of the Week: WashCo Bikes, CCC, J & B, Cascade Bikes, eBike Store, Go By Bike
A fresh batch of great bike jobs.
Latest headlines from BikePortland | 04/26/24 | 9:01am
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Polygon Tambora Gravel Bike Review
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Femme Cyclist | 04/24/24 | 12:12pm
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Adventure Cycling Association | 04/24/24 | 8:04am
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Adventure Cycling Association | 04/16/24 | 2:41pm
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Doug Ingram
1/3/2024 at 12:38AM
Seen Jerry a lot on my morning rides around Talent and Phoenix always enjoyed seeing him and his dog and always had a wave to each other sad he passed.