Hi, Natalie's suggestions are great. I spoke a bit more about the uphill struggle with Max, and all of your enthusiasm encouraged him. When he first spoke of the idea, it was just that, an idea. After we spoke with a few people about actually doing it, he was a little nervous and retreated from the idea. Your excitement has my son going again. He'd like to attend the next Bike Board meeting, with the support of his older sister Adrienne (who might just be this shy boy's voice). I'll accompany them to the meeting and assist with any people rallying. His dad has said that if the idea goes further, he would assist with press relations.
Max and I discussed all the good things that could come out of and through the idea, just to note where some of the flexibility might be. He's open to any route, although his initial thought was Protzman (we travel that a lot and he likes the new bike lane on Falling Run). He's not all that concerned about grown ups' awareness of bikes. What he really wants is bike lanes for safe rides. We live just 10 blocks or so from the rail trail, but to ride to the trail would put our lives in danger. I'll let Max speak more to that and the other things that are important to him if you'd like, at the next Bike Board Meeting. When and where is it?
Thanks for your encouragement! Happy Holidays!
Laura
Laura Kemp-Rye
Office: 304.291.5485
Cell: 304.216.5485
kemprye@verizon.net
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From: John Lozier [mailto:jl@harpingforharmony.org] Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2007 1:01 PM To: Bike Board Cc: kemprye@verizon.net; Natalie Ramsland Subject: Reaction on Uphill Struggle
Natalie Ramsland is a triathlete and bike builder in Portland, Oregon, also my niece. This is her response when I told her about Uphill Struggle.
John
Begin forwarded message:
From: "Natalie Ramsland" natalie@sweetpeabicycles.com
Date: December 18, 2007 12:51:47 PM EST
To: "John Lozier" jl@harpingforharmony.org
Subject: Re: Hello from Portland!
Hi John -
I love the idea of the Uphill Struggle. It made me think that it might be fun to organize a ride in which there were two options: 1) get from one place to another by the shortest distance possible, elevation be damned or 2) get to the same destination taking whatever detours necessary to make the climb as gentle as possible and have stops along the way. That way you can demonstrate that biking doesn't have to be something for self-identified athletes alone. A relaxed approach can be celebrated, too.
There is a race that happens in Portland called the SS Pussycat (all women's alleycat race) which has two racing options. You can race for speed, which is, well, speedy. Or you can compete in the spirit category, and you will be doing various fun challenges along the way.
It also brings to mind the Tequila Shortcut at the Single Speed Cyclocross Championships a couple weeks back. There was a shortcut in the race course (which is done in laps) - the only catch was that if you were going to take the shortcut you had to take a shot of tequila every time you came through.
So, needless to say, I think you could have a lot of fun with this. Let me know if you need help brainstorming crazy ideas! I am full of them :)
Love, Natalie
On 12/18/07, John Lozier jl@harpingforharmony.org wrote:
Hi, Natalie,
We're at 345 Virginia Avenue, Morgantown WV 26505.
I've never been very good about sending holiday cards. However, I think of you and Austin quite often. I recently took a class in Effective Cycling. You probably know about the American League of Bicyclists. Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles. A young woman in the group is a triathlete, made me think of you.
We're beginning to plan for an activity that I'm calling the "Uphill Struggle." The whole concept is "It's and Uphill Struggle to get people thinking of bicycles as a form of transportation."
Here's a blurb I shared with our Bike Board (I'm a member):
Max's Uphill Struggle is the insight of a child (Max, my 7-year-old neighbor) who first learns to ride on the flat, then downhill, then confronts (and meets) the challenge of UPHILL.
This is, of course, the challenge faced by folks of all ages when they consider biking in Morgantown.
(Incidentally, the Uphill Struggle is a metaphor for life itself, isn't it?)
The idea would be to have a sponsored bike event that involves riding uphill. Any hill could work.
On Dec 18, 2007, at 12:25 PM, Natalie Ramsland wrote:
Hi John,
I have a holiday card I want to send to you and Kitty, but I don't think I have your address since you moved. Can you send that to me?
Love, Natalie