We are not rock stars, but we feel like it.
Last night we hopped a train to Toronto laden down like pack animals with the bags from Arkel. James brought his bike on the train, and Momma and I rode empty handed. We arrived at Exhibition station just after the evening rush, rented a pair of BikeShare bikes, and rode with James to our big speaking engagement at #BikemindsTO. <--- check out the hashtag for the speakers etc.
BikeMinds is a monthly gathering of bike-minded people sharing stories and enjoying each other's company. The template is that there are 6 stories shared. 5 of them are ten minute tales and the last is a half-hour long "headliner" - we were the headliner. Which was fun for me, scary for Momma, and James flitted up and down from the speaking area to his seat as the whim struck.
We explained where James' progress is and what is unique about him by using the starfish story (
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SlH0cg2xy0), and then explained that no only was James one of the Starfish on the beach, but he was also the child saving them. We discussed the families we befriended on our ride and the places we saw. We talked about the strangers we met along the way and people who helped us - as well as the people we helped. We talked about ice cream and hot chocolate and trails and starwars and bikes.
After the presentation, so many people wanted to meet James, to talk with him, congratulate him, cheer for him, and tell him how inspired they were by him. Our twitter popped up by about a dozen followers and we were flooded with positive feedback. So much good stuff.
At the end we revealed our "draft" route for 2018. And we got a room full of people asking how they could help make our 2018 ride a success... and I guess since they all know, and since tonight our local media will know, I can share that with you too.
Does anyone here want to know where #RideJamesRide is headed this August?