Wednesday, March 18, 2009

See You at the Movies!

The special benefit screening of "The Bicyclists" in Davis, CA, is featured in the Davis Enterprise newspaper today. The Bicyclists will screen at 8:30 p.m. on Monday, March 30th. More info here.

Proceeds from the show benefit the Histiocytosis Association of America.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Because It's Important to Look Good, Too ...

... our friend, Jeff, at the Davis Barber Shop, will give one free haircut to any Wheels North rider who goes to his shop before the ride. (Jeff may also be joining us for Day Two of the ride to Corning).

Thanks to Jeff for his generosity!

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Putting in Miles

The first day of Wheels North is about 120 days away (July 4), so it's time for our riders to think about getting in some miles. The first few days of the ride will be scenic, but tough, and we'll need strength in our legs to climb the mountains.

One of our riders, Willie Myers, took a big step yesterday with his first 100-mile ride. (That's Willie in the photo, about halfway through the ride.) In two weeks, Willie and fellow WN rider Eric Norris will be upping that mileage to 180 (or 300 kilometers). Later in the spring, we'll be doing at least one multi-day ride with days of 100 miles or more.

All of this to help make that that, like Vic and Ray, we reach Seattle under our own power.

Friday, March 13, 2009

Looking for Friends in Eugene and Salem

We'll be contacting the University of Oregon in Eugene and Willamette University in Salem next week as part of our search for lodging for our riders and crew. If you're reading this and know anyone at those universities (or other potential lodging places in Eugene or Salem) who could help us, please go to the Wheels North web site and email us. Thanks!

Monday, March 09, 2009

Video: A Visit to Geyser Basin

While we were in Seattle, we visited Drumheller Fountain, which was known 100 years ago as Geyser Basin, the center of the AYPE. Here's a video of our visit:

Saturday, March 07, 2009

New Sponsor: Branford Bike

We're pleased to announce that bicycle retailer Branford Bike is a Wheels North sponsor. Branford Bike is located in Seattle, very close to the finishing point for Wheels North (and on the internet, at www.branfordbike.com). They'll be providing tools, workspace, and boxes to get everyone's bicycles boxed and ready to ship home after the ride, as well as fundraising prizes for the riders.

Thank you to Branford Bike for joining Wheels North!

Thursday, March 05, 2009

Places to Stay

We're working diligently to find great places for our riders and crew to spend the night as we travel along Vic and Ray's route to Seattle. Here are a few places we're planning to stay:

-- In Winters, we'll spend the night in the Community Center building, near the 1906 bridge and across the street from Steady Eddy's coffeehouse (a favorite stopping place for Davis cyclists).

--In Weaverville, we'll overnight at Trinity High School.

--In Yreka, we'll overnight at Yreka High School.

--In Ashland, we'll spend two nights in the dorms at Southern Oregon University (haven't nailed this place down yet, but it looks good).

--In Portland, we'll stay in the group building at the Northwest Portland Hostel (great place in a super location).

--In Chehalis, a local church will be putting us up.

--In Seattle, we'll spend our last two nights as a group in the dorms at the University of Washington (also not nailed down, but looking very good).

Check back for more details--it's going to be a great ride!

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Pashley Cycles Signs On As Supporter of Wheels North

English bicycle manufacturer Pashley Cycles has signed on as a supporter of Wheels North! They will be providing spare wheels, tires, and tubes for the Guvnor bicycle (made by Pashley) that ride director Eric Norris will be riding to Seattle (that's the bike we'll be riding in the photo).

Pashley manufactures a full line of bicycles at their factory in Stratford-Upon-Avon, England. Their Guvnor model was chosen because it so closely approximates the bikes that Vic and Ray used 100 years ago.