Meet Cascade’s 2025 Volunteers of the Year

As the Community Education and Volunteer Manager for Cascade, I have the pleasure of working with hundreds of volunteers per year who support our mission of “bringing people together to experience the joy of bicycling through transportation, recreation, and friendship.”

Every hour donated through volunteering helps us expand our bike education, inspire more people to ride, and advocate for safer infrastructure. Additionally, volunteers get connected to a welcoming, fun-loving bike community that shares a passion for making cycling joyful, safe, and inclusive.

If you have time to volunteer, I’d love to hear from you. We need a diversity of skillsets: event photographers, support vehicle drivers, bike mechanics, youth Ride Leaders, and more.

Help Spread the Joy of Cycling

Without further ado, please meet our 2025 Volunteers of the Year. They are a diverse group of individuals, but they all share one thing: a desire to uplift others and support Cascade’s efforts to get more people onto bikes.

Alan Mulkey, Let's Go Bike Education

Alan arrived at a much-needed time during the School-Based Bicycle Education Program bike assembly push in April and May, when demand was through the roof and Cascade’s Fleet Team needed more hands. With Alan’s help, we were able to assemble and deliver 2,200 bikes to fifth-graders in two months. In addition to weekly wrenching, Alan frequently volunteers with the Pedaling Relief Project and marks routes for major rides including Seattle to Portland and the Kitsap Color Classic.

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Fun Fact from Alan

"My first bike was a cruiser with fat tires and coaster brakes. In 8th grade, my mom agreed to take a friend and I to camp out and ride our bikes home. Years later, my mom said she worried the whole time we were gone and wondered why she ever thought it was a good idea."

Why Alan Volunteers

"I like the camaraderie and variety of volunteer opportunities. Being able to apply maintenance skills I learned at Cascade to the Let’s Go program is very satisfying. Delivering groceries for the White Center Food Bank through the Pedaling Relief Project is a great way to engage with the community."

Story about Volunteering

"While waiting to pick up my wife, Patricia, at Rainier Beach High School, I saw a young man pedaling by with an ear-to-ear grin, followed by a few more kids on bikes, all with smiles. Patricia explained that Cascade had brought bikes to the school and was teaching students how to ride."

Nick Floros, Let’s Go Bike Education

Alongside Alan, Nick was instrumental in helping the Fleet Team assemble and deliver 2,200 bikes for youth bike education in the spring. Nick is an enthusiastic lifelong learner when it comes to bikes. In addition to weekly wrenching, Nick frequently supports Cascade’s major rides, including loading baggage trucks for STP.

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Fun Fact from Nick

"I have 20th century downtube friction shifters on my roadbike, and equally old handlebar frictions on my Long Haul Trucker."

Why Nick Volunteers

"I've learned a great deal while assembling and servicing bikes for Cascade’s Let's Go program and Major Taylor Project. Cascade's Fleet Managers and Mechanics check our work, tell us if we missed something, and explain how to do the work correctly. It's helped me become a better bike mechanic. Cascade staff appreciate their volunteers and they show it. They're sincerely polite and routinely thank you for the work you've done. Every time I roll a bike I've assembled or serviced out of Cascade's shop and test-ride it, I think about the school students who will ride them–and the fun they'll have."

Story about Volunteering

"I volunteered in Cascade's bike shop for a few winters before a heater was installed. Latex shop gloves keep your hands surprisingly warm!"

Brian Moran, Tours

Brian is the ultimate volunteer-of-all-trades: always ready, smiling, and prepared for anything. Whether it’s hauling gear, fixing flats, or breaking out two chainsaws to clear a trail for our Winthrop Gravel Tour, Brian jumps in without hesitation. His wide range of skills (and that famously handy truck) keep Tours and events running smoothly. Unflappable, flexible, and always cheerful, Brian’s quick support and can-do spirit make him an essential part of the Cascade Tours team.

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Fun Fact from Brian

"I came up with the name Outriders for Cascade’s support riders. On the Kitsap Color Classic, I repaired a mangled derailleur hanger using a multi-plier and the bollard bracket next to the road." 
  
Why Brian Volunteers

"I enjoy helping people and solving challenges. Cascade events like the Walla Walla Tour are a chance to meet people and learn about their motivations for riding or volunteering. The Cascade staff and volunteers are a friendly and fun bunch."

Story about Volunteering

"For my first STP a long time ago, everyone who had promised to train and ride with me bailed out. I didn't want to ride by myself, so I volunteered to be what we now call an Outrider, which means that I ride with everyone!"

Chris Colleran, Tacoma Major Taylor Project

Chris is a longtime supporter and pillar of the Tacoma Major Taylor Project. Helping with both regular club rides and weekend events, Chris always approaches interactions with students with a positive attitude and open ear. Without Chris, the Tacoma Major Taylor Project would not be able to serve such a large number of students.

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Fun Fact from Chris

"I love to be active outdoors, particularly biking or skiing, and sharing that fun with others. That includes my dog, whom I like to take on solo walks through the forest."

Why Chris Volunteers

"I love seeing the kids try biking for the first time, or getting up a hill without walking, or going down that hill for the first time, even though it's scary. They learn about themselves, and I learn so much from them in turn."

Story about Volunteering

"One student managed to have a pedal detach and break his chain on separate rides just weeks apart. He worked it out on the first ride by pedaling on the crank arm, and on the second ride he 'skateboarded' back to school. I admire how he had the resilience to figure out a way to get through those situations."

Matthew Setter, King County Major Taylor Project

Matt is a champion teacher at Tyee High School who supports MTP after-hours every week. His significant contributions make bike club days possible. This year he consistently supported and encouraged three brand new riders. These students had huge smiles when they were able to bike independently after weeks of practice, thanks to Matt. He also rode STP this year with MTP students, constantly encouraging and motivating them. He was there to help whenever asked to check in on a student, whether physically or emotionally. We are grateful to have him on our team.

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Fun Fact from Matthew

"I started riding bikes in 1998 and did my first Seattle to Portland in 1999."

Why Matthew Volunteers

"I’m well known for being the sweep on MTP rides, and I focus on bringing the party to the party pace squad. I truly enjoy teaching the newest riders, and I live by the philosophy that 'when it stops being fun it stops getting done.' I appreciate MTP for giving kids in my school opportunities to learn and explore that they otherwise wouldn't have."

Dianne Iverson, Advocacy & Outreach

Dianne is the definition of a devoted advocate who makes a difference in her community. In recent years she has been a member of the City of Bremerton's Complete Streets Committee, a Board member of West Sound Cycling Club, and a vice-chair of the Leafline Trails Coalition. She is a vocal and influential advocate for active transportation on the Kitsap Peninsula. She has partnered with Cascade and the Leafline coalition in many ways as a steadfast advocate for safer and more inclusive active transportation.

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Fun Fact from Dianne

"We take a measuring device with us on our tandem bike so we can measure the width of bike paths when we travel. The photo above is us last June in Italy on the path over the Julian Alps to the Adriatic Sea."

Why Dianne Volunteers

"I want all communities to have safer bike and pedestrian paths and bikeways so that all of us can safely enjoy the outdoors."

Jeannette Roden, Major Rides & Events

In her nine years as a Cascade volunteer, Jeanette has dedicated a staggering 700+ hours of support. Primarily assisting with packet stuffing, start line operations, and the Bike Everywhere Luncheon, Jeanette is indispensable as a leader and source of institutional knowledge. Quick to adapt to changing policies and technologies, the Cascade Events team knows that everything will be under control if Jeanette’s name is on the roster. We’re incredibly thankful for everything that Jeannette brings to Cascade.

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Fun Fact from Jeannette

"I'm a third-degree black belt, and was also awarded the Lifetime President's Volunteer Service Award for giving 4,000+ volunteer hours."

Why Jeannette Volunteers

"Bicycling should be safe and accessible for everyone. When I was in elementary school, I was riding my first bike when a car raced past me and crashed through a wooden fence. Thanks to lucky timing I wasn't injured, but this incident instilled a lifelong respect for sharing the road and a heightened awareness of my surroundings as a multimodal commuter."

Story about Volunteering

"I ran into my old boss at a Cascade ride in 2017. It had been about 10 years since we last worked together, and seeing him in cycling gear was a surprise. We rekindled our friendship and now see each other at bike events throughout the year."

John Eickelberg, Pedaling Relief Project

At the beginning of 2025, John stepped up to lead the new Pedaling Relief ride at Byrd Barr Place on Wednesdays. Supporting a new Cascade staff member tasked with expanding the Pedaling Relief Project, John provided guidance, support and reliability through the year. John has helped to both recruit and sustain the volunteer pool for Byrd Barr Place's Wednesday PRP ride through weekly emails and coffee socials. He also designed and built improved storage solutions for our trailers at Byrd Barr Place and the University District Food Bank.

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Fun Fact from John

"I once bicycled the length of the equator."

Why John Volunteers

"Volunteering at Cascade gets some good miles on my trailer and delightfully connects me to other transportation bike enthusiasts."

Story about Volunteering

"Every week, the Pedaling Relief Project ride reminds me of the joy of high school physics. When you turn downhill with 100+ pounds of food on your bike trailer, friction actually feels negligible!"

Melanie Breitbach, Development & Membership

Melanie brings positivity and energy to her work as a Cascade Outreach Ambassador representing us at numerous community events. Her passion for the various facets of our organization makes her well-known across departments. The joy she brings with her into the office is infectious. Melanie accepts any task we throw at her, no matter how tedious, and she makes our work so much easier.

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Why Melanie Volunteers

"Biking brings me joy and keeps me sane! I'm committed to helping Cascade bring that to joy to others. I volunteer in the office and I'm also a regular with Pedaling Relief. I've worked in the operations center for various rides, directed riders at events, helped deliver bikes for Let's Go, and served as an ambassador at local events. The staff and volunteers at Cascade are the best."

Naomi Davison, Free Group Rides

Naomi is a well-respected and loved volunteer Free Group Rides Leader. She has been a dedicated supporter of the Cascade Training Series for a number of years, is an engaged member of our volunteer Rides Committee, and has gone above and beyond to help the club approve Free Group Ride postings and review rider feedback. She has recently devoted much of her volunteer time to developing a continuing education curriculum for our Ride Leader cohort to keep riders safe and our rides inclusive. She is a leading example of a Cascade ambassador making a difference in her community!

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Fun Fact from Naomi

"I've done Cascade rides on bikes that I built myself from scrap parts."

Why Naomi Volunteers

"Because I want to be like the awesome volunteers who inspired me when I first joined."

Story about Volunteering

"Whenever I lead Cascade Training Series rides and we encounter an unexpected incline late in a ride, I try to get the group to join me in improvising new verses for a jingle called 'Surprise Hill.' It has a different melody and lyrics each time."

Wendy Atkinson, Outrider & Medical Rider

Wendy is a powerhouse of organization, skill, and heart. From leading Outriders and Medical Riders to running the STP Ops Center, she has transformed ride support in 2025. She built a seamless system for reporting and tracking incidents. Wendy also keeps Outrider supplies stocked for every major ride, trains volunteers, and ensures smooth communication. Calm, strategic, and welcoming, Wendy makes every rider, volunteer, and staff member feel supported while raising the bar for professionalism and fun. Wendy’s investment in improving ride support and easing the workload for staff is an incredible feat.

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Fun Fact from Wendy

"I met my neighbor for the first time in the Green Lake parking lot while waiting for a Free Group Ride start. Turns out we have been neighbors for 25+ years."

Why Wendy Volunteers

"Volunteering has pushed me to continue learning: to maintain and build my own bike, to learn and teach mechanics, and to accept that I’ll never remember someone’s name until at least the fifth ride together."

Story about Volunteering

"While volunteering as an Outrider for STP 2025, I rode with a cheerful group of STP newcomers. We stopped at the Roy Market and Deli for a quick break after passing through JBLM. I waited until everyone had used the bathroom before going in myself. When I came out, with two gallons of freshly mixed Gatorade, I looked up to see the entire group on the opposite side of the highway, pedaling back up the course in the wrong direction toward JBLM. I have never been happier to have an 'outdoor voice.'"

Volunteer with Cascade