Leaning In to the Weekend

Polish up your bicycles! We're almost there ...

Wheels North Alum Ride

Five WN alums worked off some Thanksgiving calories the day after with a ride from Davis, CA, to San Francisco. Photos here.

Next Stops for the Wheels North Crew

Wheels North has joined the original 1909 adventure as part of history, but we WN riders are still doing what we do: Ride. Here are two upcoming adventures, of varying scale:

November 8--Several WN riders will don tweed and take part in the Sacramento Tweed Ride. It looks like jolly good fun, and Nigel (our English bike) in particular is looking forward to it. Click on the flyer to see a larger version.

November 27--The day after Thanksgiving, several WN alums will be working off our turkey (or veggie) dinners with a day of riding. Route is somewhat vague at this point (we need some chalk marks to follow!), but it will involve heading west from Davis toward the coast. Maybe to Point Reyes, maybe to San Francisco, maybe to ... ?? Photos from a similar (but two-day-long) ride are here and here.

Certificate of Appreciation

This Certificate of Appreciation, signed by Mayor Greg Nickels, arrived in today's mail. It reads,

"In recognition of outstanding work and dedication to the success of the Centennial Celebration of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition Wheels North is presented this certificate of appreciation.
The work enriched our community and, like the A-Y-P itself, proved the economic potential, creative spirit and progressive thinking of our region and city.
Congratulations on this extraordinary achievement.
Presented this Tuesday, October 13, 2009
[Signed] Greg Nickels, Mayor of Seattle"

Congratulations indeed to everyone who was part of Wheels North: riders, support crew, donors, friends, and family. Well done!

Two Wheels North--Live on Stage

The Book-It Repertory Theater is staging a series of dramatic readings of Two Wheels North in the Seattle area! Check out their web site for info--there are three more performances planned as of today.

Here's a sample from the 75-minute show:

Two Wheels North - Book-It Repertory Theatre from 4Culture on Vimeo.

Wheels North on KOMO Radio

On the last day of the ride, we were featured on Seattle's KOMO radio in a morning drive-time interview. Click here to listen to the interview with Wheels North's Eric Norris.

Wheels North Memorabilia For Sale

Want to have a keepsake of Wheels North? We have a limited number of the following official Wheels North items:

• Wheels North Jerseys! The official WN jersey, as worn by the riders. Several Mediums, one Small, one Large, and one XLarge available. $75 each
• Wheels North Water Bottles! White bottles with the Wheels North logo in black. $10 each
• Wheels North T-Shirts! Grey short-sleeve with the Wheels North logo on the back and front. Limited sizes (email me about availability) $25 each

All prices include shipping. Proceeds will go to the Wheels North fundraising site for the HAA.

If you are interested in purchasing any of these items, email campyonlyguy [at] me dot com.

Merce Cunningham

Just a note that famed choreographer/dancer Merce Cunningham, who died yesterday, was born in 1919 in Centralia, Washington, the location of the last overnight stop on Wheels North. Several riders enjoyed a beverage in the historic downtown district of Centralia, a place the Cunningham would have known.

Remembering the Start

Here's a great photo of all the Wheels North riders just before the start on July 4. Seems like a long time ago now, but it was less than less than three weeks ago that we rolled out and headed for Seattle ...

Thanks to photographer Marita for coming to Santa Rosa to see us off.

Sacramento!

13 days to ride to Seattle--2 hours to fly back. Vic and Ray couldn't have dreamed of that in 1909! Laurie and I are proud of what all the Wheels North riders and crew accomplished, but also glad to be home again.

-- Post From My iPhone

Our Big Seattle Finish

The finish of Wheels North in Seattle was ... spectacular. The fountains at the U of W were shooting into the air, Mt Rainier was out in all her glory, and family and friends were on hand to cheer us in as we completed our 1,120-mile journey from Santa Rosa. Representatives from the Governor's office and the City of Seattle greeted us, champagne was poured, and we thrilled to the feeling of having completed a truly epic adventure.

A few brief stats:

• We rode 1,120 miles (some riders who got lost along the way rode a little more)
• We climbed 53,110 feet
• We rode on 11 days
• We rested on 2 days
• 12 riders made it all the way to Seattle
• We departed Santa Rosa, CA, at 9:30 am on July 4, and arrived at Drumheller Fountain at 6 pm on July 16 (exactly on schedule!)
• As of the ride's finish, we raised more than $57,000 for Histiocytosis research

Kevin Lynch, videographer for the Big Fix, was on hand and made this fantastic film of the finish. Direct link is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9lyDgdnrfA

Crossing the Mighty Columbia!

Yesterday we crossed the Columbia River on the Lewis and Clark Bridge. Here's a video of that part of the ride: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR51k6kvnJ4

We are DONE!!!

Everyone arrived safe and sound in Seattle after 1,120 miles of riding, 50,000+ feet of climbing, and 13 days on the road. Photos from the last day are here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35176895@N03/sets/72157621585223380/

More photos from the grand finish coming soon!

Portland to Centralia Photos

Photos from yesterday's penultimate ride: http://www.flickr.com/photos/35176895@N03/sets/72157621585077712/

Almost There!

The riders are gathered for the last few miles to the finish of Wheels North! See you at the fountain at 6!


-- Post From My iPhone

Centralia!

At the Calvary church. Time for a shower ...


-- Post From My iPhone

We're in Washington!

Just crossed over the Columnia River!


-- Post From My iPhone

Video: Ashland to Roseburg

A little delayed, but here's the video of the ride from Ashland to Roseburg:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKYJOwpYbKs

Video: Eugene to Salem

Video from the ride to Salem:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qN4gKbjUNmU

Video: Buena Vista Ferry

Following the route of Vic and Ray, we crossed the Willamette River by ferry:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8ad_1-1Sus