Author Topic: 1,000 km - Toronto to Coney Island by bike with a 10 yr old.  (Read 38216 times)

Le Poisson

  • CM*MW 2024 Attendees
  • Senior Mustachian
  • *
  • Posts: 16253
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #100 on: February 20, 2018, 07:06:55 AM »
Great news on all the planning.  Re sponsorships, look at the Olympic skiers - they always have the ski brand free of snow and facing the camera while they wait for their marks.  And they are always smiling no matter how good/bad the run.

We were noticing that last night too - and that the stronger the skier the less likely they were to show the brand. (First place in Womens half pipe never took her skis off. Last place polished the face of them. Funny.

I wrote a piece about the Florida shooter's Autism for our FB page this AM, but fear it may be too raw for general consumption. Any Americans/Floridians want to read and give an opinion? PM me your email addy. I'm not sure I want to bring up the politics of that situation in our campaign - but its early, and can be buried.

We picked up the bike we had bought from the LBS on Friday, and James spent most of the weekend bombing around the neighbourhood on it. He is convinced that a drop-handlebar "race bike" (its a touring bike) is just perfect. I am torn. The bike FROG is promoting is a flat-bar since their 'cross bike isn't set up for carrying bags. In a worst-case scenario we can swap out a different handlebar on the bike he gets - but then the geometry will be all different. I'll talk with the rep today and see what he thinks.

In other news, our contact at the end of the ride is using up a lot of my energy with suggestions and changes to the route, to resoiurces, and just in general. I don't think he understands the urgency in getting a route set, and he keeps changing his mind on what is best. I'll call him tonight to settle things down.

Hope everyone had a good long weekend.

katscratch

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1055
  • Location: Minnesota
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #101 on: February 20, 2018, 07:29:37 AM »
Can you put Jones bars on? Or at least those extender things? That would give him a little better ability to move his hands to different positions over a straight bar without changing the cockpit geometry too much.

Le Poisson

  • CM*MW 2024 Attendees
  • Senior Mustachian
  • *
  • Posts: 16253
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #102 on: February 20, 2018, 07:33:57 AM »
Can you put Jones bars on? Or at least those extender things? That would give him a little better ability to move his hands to different positions over a straight bar without changing the cockpit geometry too much.

Jones bars would be great - honestly I'm not sure how much we can mess with a sponsor's bike, or what bars are available in kid sizes. The LBS is suggesting they can put ends/extenders on the straight bars which I think is the best alternative. I need to compose an email today... but so much other stuff to do.

Anyone want to build us a website? That's on the list too. Ergmaherd. This was easier last year.

GuitarStv

  • Senior Mustachian
  • ********
  • Posts: 23128
  • Age: 42
  • Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #103 on: February 20, 2018, 09:26:10 AM »
Have you considered the giant saddlebag/frame bag approach to bikepacking?  This let him ride the drop bars that he wants, seems to be easier to set up on bikes not designed for touring, and is a fair bit more aerodynamic than panniers:


change_seeker

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 427
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #104 on: February 20, 2018, 10:39:06 AM »
Posting to follow the amazing amounts of awesomeness that are in this thread.  Ride James ride!

Bicycle_B

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1809
  • Mustachian-ish in Live Music Capital of the World
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #105 on: February 20, 2018, 05:09:04 PM »
+1 to getting a sponsor for your tracking / GPS system.  That ought to be a slam dunk if you can find the time to reach out to them.  (Best laid plans, but hey...)

Prosp, I really love the part where you pick up on your friend's tips about how to be a good sponsee - polish the bike, face the camera, and so on.  I have always been grateful for the secure upbringing I received, but as a person with strong lack of instinct for social cues, I only realize from stories like this how many bits of social training I DIDN'T get.  Now I realize that my parents were as socially clueless as myself.  That you are able to note these things and share some of them with your son is to me at least as important as this amazing adventure itself.  I cannot tell you how much this moves me.  Hats off to you as a fine parent.

Le Poisson

  • CM*MW 2024 Attendees
  • Senior Mustachian
  • *
  • Posts: 16253
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #106 on: February 22, 2018, 05:17:47 AM »
Got the sponsorship contract from FROG last night. It all looks good to me with the exception of one clause - in it there is a condition that we must wear the supplied clothing (FROG shirts and shorts) for the whole ride and in all media. Great idea for FROG... except that we also need to put out charities up front. I need to call back to our point of contact with the corp and make sure we are OK if we are micing between charity threads and Frog threads.

I've also started playing with our route more. I fear that I'm stretching out the days too long for James - but until we get him out there with a bike we can't say for sure. I wonder how much of a difference a year of maturity and a better ride will make for him. I believe 100 km days are doable - but does he? Who lives in a 100 km radius of us and wants some sweaty cyclists to drop in for milk and cookies this summer? We need to start training as soon as the trails are clear.

Lews Therin

  • CMTO 2023 Attendees
  • Magnum Stache
  • *
  • Posts: 3896
  • Age: 34
  • Location: Gatineau
  • Fee-only Financial Planner
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #107 on: February 22, 2018, 05:36:29 AM »
Is Ottawa 100km North?

Le Poisson

  • CM*MW 2024 Attendees
  • Senior Mustachian
  • *
  • Posts: 16253
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #108 on: February 22, 2018, 05:50:38 AM »
Is Ottawa 100km North?

Nope. Ottawa is 450 KM Northeast. We did that last year.

ElleFiji

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4013
  • Age: -161
  • Location: Always Winter
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #109 on: February 22, 2018, 06:45:25 AM »
I'm about 75km. My Oakville clinic is 87 (using your GO station to calculate). Either can have treats available and then a GO train home, or push yourselves a few more stops before you turn around. @avrex might be right around 100k.

deborah

  • Senior Mustachian
  • ********
  • Posts: 15960
  • Age: 14
  • Location: Australia or another awesome area
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #110 on: February 22, 2018, 04:57:25 PM »
You could do a 100km circle.

Le Poisson

  • CM*MW 2024 Attendees
  • Senior Mustachian
  • *
  • Posts: 16253
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #111 on: February 23, 2018, 05:19:48 PM »
FROG clarified their contract to us and they are treating our T-shirts from our charities as "local club" gear, but are asking for a few key photos in the FROG shirt - which is all cool. So at some key stops on the ride we will take a bunch of pics with different clothes on. We can handle that.

After work we met with a reporter from the Oshawa Express and shared our story once again - I tried to craft my answers into a bridging/leading story that yes we did a really cool thing and we are about to receive some really cool recognition for it, but now we are embarking on ANOTHER really cool thing that will go further and see more and we hope will generate even more compassion and care. Its always fun to see what the reporters choose to do with our story. This one asked that we let him know how things go with the award ceremony and that we do a follow up after we get the award, after our announcement of this year's ride, and again before we head out. I can manage that.

Our beneficiary has asked us to sign a third party legal agreement stating our intent to represent them in a wholesome manner and that all funds from the activity will go to them etc. We never had to do one of these last year - because we surprised them from out of nowhere. Tonight I have to read through that agreement and fill it in. Funny thing is that the agreement with FROG is 2 pages plus a signature page, while the agreement from Grandview is about 8 pages. I guess its easier to receive than to give. Whatever - we'll get the paperwork out of the way and then move on with our planning. I'm happy to be getting all this stuff aside early, and I knew that planning an actual campaign/event would take more "permits" and red tape than just going.

Right now a pizza is in the oven - its a good time to be sifting through all this.

LifeHappens

  • Senior Mustachian
  • ********
  • Posts: 12155
  • Location: Tampa-ish
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #112 on: February 27, 2018, 09:56:58 AM »
It might be helpful to study the Instagram accounts of a few sponsored athletes so you know how to stage photos. Maybe @Stasher can give you some pointers. There's a subtle art to giving your sponsors good coverage while not looking like a cheap billboard.

Stasher

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1912
  • Age: 50
  • Location: VanIsle
  • Power through Positivity
    • Mindful Explorer
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #113 on: March 01, 2018, 02:43:45 PM »
It might be helpful to study the Instagram accounts of a few sponsored athletes so you know how to stage photos. Maybe @Stasher can give you some pointers. There's a subtle art to giving your sponsors good coverage while not looking like a cheap billboard.

Authenticity is everything...lots of promotions in my instagram account for my sponsors and companies I have worked with and not having it right in your face. I need to read this whole thread now to catch up on the context of this discussion @LifeHappens , thanks for the mention.

Here is my Instagram account for those wondering
https://www.instagram.com/stasher_bc/

Le Poisson

  • CM*MW 2024 Attendees
  • Senior Mustachian
  • *
  • Posts: 16253
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #114 on: March 12, 2018, 12:40:50 PM »
Its been a couple weeks...

What's happened... Um... well, the family had lunch with the Lt. Gov. of Ontario, collected a prize, and have started pseudo-announcing this year's ride. Dropping hints and building our network. Scouts Canada ran our story in their "Canadian Path blog" but they never proofed the draft and its full of grammar/spelling errors. Oh well. I guess it feels more organic. We've picked up more follows and more shares off that, which is good. Scouts has been fantastic to us for network building.

Meanwhile, our emails have gone cold. Dunno if everyone is suddenly busy, but we're just not hearing back all of a sudden. I hope we haven't tired our network out already. Although, this morning I found an email from GOBike Buffalo in my inbox, a pleasant surprise. They are helping with routing through town and will try to send out a handful of riders to escort us through the busy bits. Yay!

Early last week, I emailed BSA and they told me they would reach out to Scouts Canada to verify who we were then get back to us before sharing our information with their councils. None of our scout contacts have had a call, and I haven't heard back from BSA. Huh. Maybe I'll follow up in a day or two.

I also rejigged the timing of our segments and rerouted our last 2 days of riding. This cut a lot of miles and gave us a better (I think) route for our final days on the road. Right now we would end the ride on a Thursday though. I may need to stretch things out a little.

Meanwhile on the admin side, we've set up a fundraising page with Grandview and are set to build a GFM page for general donations. I think we should have those both open before our next media appearance. Which is at the end of the month.

For training (I mean practicing - we don't train) I've signed us up for a mental health ride locally ($35 and kids ride free) which will give James a taste of riding in a group. I'm also signing us up for the local Gran Fondo - mostly because the organizers know me, and should slide us in for free. In both of these we'll aim for the 80 km routes with the option to boost ourselves up to 100 km.

I was going to sign us up for the Becel Ride for Heart in Toronto (100 km on the Gardiner Expressway - but entry fees on it are ridiculous. Similarly, GOBike Buffalo has a skyride on their freeway, but we will be away that week. I would have liked to enter it just to ride around Buffalo. The bit between the border and through town freaks me out - we'll have to get used to US infrastructure and driver differences. I guess 3 organized rides will have to be enough. The weather lately has been marginal, but James has been riding his "practice bike" whenever he gets a chance. I think he likes it.

Anyway, here we are making small advances toward the big goal.

avrex

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 357
  • Location: Canada
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #115 on: March 12, 2018, 06:31:40 PM »
It sounds like you're moving forward with your plans for upcoming ride.  Great news.

In the past, I've biked the Niagara-on-the-Lake to Fort Erie trail.  It was a nice scenic ride.  You guys will enjoy it.

Bicycle_B

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1809
  • Mustachian-ish in Live Music Capital of the World
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #116 on: March 12, 2018, 06:43:08 PM »
Lunch with the Lt Gov?  Small advances indeed, better kick it up a notch!  LOL

Joking aside, what was that experience like for your son?

Le Poisson

  • CM*MW 2024 Attendees
  • Senior Mustachian
  • *
  • Posts: 16253
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #117 on: March 12, 2018, 07:40:01 PM »
It sounds like you're moving forward with your plans for upcoming ride.  Great news.

In the past, I've biked the Niagara-on-the-Lake to Fort Erie trail.  It was a nice scenic ride.  You guys will enjoy it.

Erm... right now we're not doing that section. The plan is to dive south at St. Catharines and scoot across to the rainbow bridge. It cuts half a day of riding off our schedule.

Lunch with the Lt Gov?  Small advances indeed, better kick it up a notch!  LOL

Joking aside, what was that experience like for your son?

Ummm... well to James she was an old lady in a green dress who smelled like perfume. To me, she was cool and all that, but I was a little nervous that the kid would lose his stuff. We did great at making friends with the only younger kid at the event though. That went really well!

After lunch we had a tour of Queen's Park and then did a grip-n-grin with Kathleen. Yes... that Kathleen. James didn't hold it together for that part and we ended up outside on the front steps of Queen's Park so he could blow off steam where it was less echo-y. Kathleen smiled nicely but I didn't try to talk to her at all. Never even shook her hand. We managed to get home without a major show of emotion, so that was nice.

He is very proud of his trophy and lapel pin though. He took them to school to show his teachers and has had to pull them out to show a number of visitors.

Le Poisson

  • CM*MW 2024 Attendees
  • Senior Mustachian
  • *
  • Posts: 16253
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #118 on: March 19, 2018, 06:40:23 PM »
As I was wrapping up a late meeting at work tonight, I got a text from Momma - apparently there was a big package at the house with James and my names on it, and James wanted to open it up!! When would I be home?

Half an hour later I was at the house, and James opened the box. Our bags from Arkel are here!

They sent us:
- 2 Orca 25 waterproof panniers for James
- 2 Orca 35 waterproof panniers for me
- 2 handlebar bags - one each
- 1 shopping pannier for me to take to work.

Everything is in matching red. I wanted a bright, visible colour and this makes me super-happy. I made a comparison of the handlebar bag to the bag I bought from MEC for our ride last year and these are head and shoulders above in terms of quality.

I mean the MEC bag is a lot cheaper, but it's handlebar clamps are plastic - Arkel's are steel. The MEC bag has no lining, the arkel has a zip-in washable nylon liner. The MEC bag just hangs from a plastic frame, the Arkel bag is formed around a moulded plastic shell. A different animal altogether. I recall I was pinching pennies when I bought the MEC bag, and now I feel a little embarassed. That bag nearly cost me a cell phone a number of times when it fell out of the top of the bag. These Arkels won't see that sort of thing happen ever. They can't. Anyway, I'm a happy camper right about now.

Tomorrow we are supposed to be doing a live interview at the local radio station. I need to call the DJ and make sure that is still on schedule. Then we have our BikeMINDS presentation on Wednesday and a media announcement of this year's ride on Thursday. Some where in between all that we need to go live with 3 fundraising pages and prepare a script for the media event. Yay us!

Dicey

  • Senior Mustachian
  • ********
  • Posts: 22318
  • Age: 66
  • Location: NorCal
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #119 on: March 19, 2018, 10:53:29 PM »
As I was wrapping up a late meeting at work tonight, I got a text from Momma - apparently there was a big package at the house with James and my names on it, and James wanted to open it up!! When would I be home?

Half an hour later I was at the house, and James opened the box. Our bags from Arkel are here!

They sent us:
- 2 Orca 25 waterproof panniers for James
- 2 Orca 35 waterproof panniers for me
- 2 handlebar bags - one each
- 1 shopping pannier for me to take to work.

Everything is in matching red. I wanted a bright, visible colour and this makes me super-happy. I made a comparison of the handlebar bag to the bag I bought from MEC for our ride last year and these are head and shoulders above in terms of quality.

I mean the MEC bag is a lot cheaper, but it's handlebar clamps are plastic - Arkel's are steel. The MEC bag has no lining, the arkel has a zip-in washable nylon liner. The MEC bag just hangs from a plastic frame, the Arkel bag is formed around a moulded plastic shell. A different animal altogether. I recall I was pinching pennies when I bought the MEC bag, and now I feel a little embarassed. That bag nearly cost me a cell phone a number of times when it fell out of the top of the bag. These Arkels won't see that sort of thing happen ever. They can't. Anyway, I'm a happy camper right about now.

Tomorrow we are supposed to be doing a live interview at the local radio station. I need to call the DJ and make sure that is still on schedule. Then we have our BikeMINDS presentation on Wednesday and a media announcement of this year's ride on Thursday. Some where in between all that we need to go live with 3 fundraising pages and prepare a script for the media event. Yay us!
Score! So exciting! I've done some long distance rides with full camping gear (Nova Scotia, California Coast). Just reading this gear description gave me a thrill. I can only imagine how James feels.

Le Poisson

  • CM*MW 2024 Attendees
  • Senior Mustachian
  • *
  • Posts: 16253
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #120 on: March 20, 2018, 05:46:33 AM »

Bicycle_B

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1809
  • Mustachian-ish in Live Music Capital of the World

Le Poisson

  • CM*MW 2024 Attendees
  • Senior Mustachian
  • *
  • Posts: 16253
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #122 on: March 20, 2018, 05:49:06 PM »
This afternoon we had a radio interview with the local FM station where we announced our ride for 2018, our sponsorships and our fundraising goals. The station gave us about 10 minutes of airtime at 4:00 PM and I was surprised at how well James did. Usually he is nervous and shy for these things, but today he came out of his shell told what we were up to and even made a couple jokes. Really nice seeing the growth and confidence.

While we were at teh station the DJ toured us around and showed us the Classic rock station's space and the country station's space. James saw how the DJ software works and how "the magic of radio" operates. It was a fun afternoon.

We got a few twitter followers out of the airtime but more importantly we let our local followers know what we're up to for 2018 and we supported the station (and DJ) who started us off on this path in the first place. If it weren't for these guys and @tomatops, the whole fundraising/media outreach element of this ride never would have happened.
« Last Edit: March 20, 2018, 06:37:07 PM by Prospector »

Le Poisson

  • CM*MW 2024 Attendees
  • Senior Mustachian
  • *
  • Posts: 16253
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #123 on: March 22, 2018, 07:50:12 AM »
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?

okits

  • CMTO 2023 Attendees
  • Senior Mustachian
  • *
  • Posts: 13017
  • Location: Canada
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #124 on: March 22, 2018, 07:55:36 AM »
Does anyone here want to know where #RideJamesRide is headed this August?

Somewhere with ice cream!  Obviously.

Glad he got the rock star treatment last night!  I'm guessing that the more fun he has at community and media events the more he will be comfortable doing them and look forward to them.

LifeHappens

  • Senior Mustachian
  • ********
  • Posts: 12155
  • Location: Tampa-ish
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #125 on: March 22, 2018, 08:38:50 AM »
Does anyone here want to know where #RideJamesRide is headed this August?

Somewhere with ice cream!  Obviously.
And roller coasters. I think someone already guessed Cedar Point.

You and James are doing such a great job. The Twitter photos of the bags were nice. Your sponsor seemed pleased by them. At the rate you're going, your ride is going to be 10x more successful than your modest goals.

avrex

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 357
  • Location: Canada
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #126 on: March 22, 2018, 08:56:07 AM »
That's so awesome. 

Looking forward to more announcements.

Apples

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1372
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #127 on: March 22, 2018, 09:33:34 AM »
I think I saw Coney Island somewhere, but I'm holding out hope for Hershey!  Come ride the rides and eat all the chocolate!

Cherry Lane

  • CM*MW 2023 Attendees
  • Handlebar Stache
  • *
  • Posts: 1998
  • Age: 6
  • Location: Virginia
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #128 on: March 22, 2018, 12:54:44 PM »
I think I saw Coney Island somewhere, but I'm holding out hope for Hershey!  Come ride the rides and eat all the chocolate!

My first thought was Cedar Point, but I see above that was dismissed as too close.  Both Hershey and Coney Island would be a good stretch distance over last year.  I'd love to see Busch Gardens (Williamsburg), but that's over twice the distance of last year's ride.

I'd pay a visit if it's Hershey, and host/support the through ride if Busch Gardens.

Le Poisson

  • CM*MW 2024 Attendees
  • Senior Mustachian
  • *
  • Posts: 16253
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #129 on: March 22, 2018, 04:44:18 PM »
You did see Coney Island somewhere!!

We are going to ride our bikes down the Waterfront Trail and then through Niagara to the Rainbow bridge. After that, we'll pick up the Erie Canal Tow Path and follow it across NY state past Rochester and Syracuse to Albany. In Albany we will be met by a handful of NYC cyclists who are planning to escort us all the way down the Hudson Valley to the USS Intrepid Museum. We will spend some time touring the museum and then the next morning, ride to Coney Island and ride the roller coaster, eat hot dogs, and have fun.

Million dollar question - are we coming through your hometown?

Dollar Slice

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 9613
  • Age: 46
  • Location: New York City
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #130 on: March 22, 2018, 05:09:33 PM »
Million dollar question - are we coming through your hometown?

You sure are! At the moment my office is about a mile from the Intrepid.

I don't even like taking the subway to Coney Island because it's so far from Manhattan. Let alone from Canada! And on a bike!

Cherry Lane

  • CM*MW 2023 Attendees
  • Handlebar Stache
  • *
  • Posts: 1998
  • Age: 6
  • Location: Virginia
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #131 on: March 22, 2018, 05:26:49 PM »
Ah, you'll be passing by my childhood home!  But my family hasn't lived there in several decades.  Erie canal sounds like a great trip.  I can see why you wanted different tires for the bike.

ElleFiji

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4013
  • Age: -161
  • Location: Always Winter
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #132 on: March 22, 2018, 09:16:26 PM »
You are coming through mine! Let me know a date when possible and I will come say hi!

okits

  • CMTO 2023 Attendees
  • Senior Mustachian
  • *
  • Posts: 13017
  • Location: Canada
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #133 on: March 22, 2018, 09:30:48 PM »
I hope the press announcement went well!  :)

Dicey

  • Senior Mustachian
  • ********
  • Posts: 22318
  • Age: 66
  • Location: NorCal
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #134 on: March 22, 2018, 10:30:32 PM »
Yay for big announcements. Sounds like a lovely itinerary. Go James!

robartsd

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3342
  • Location: Sacramento, CA
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #135 on: March 23, 2018, 09:25:31 AM »
Not sure if you're familiar with www.warmshowers.org, but that might be a good resource for finding some hosts for your trip.

Le Poisson

  • CM*MW 2024 Attendees
  • Senior Mustachian
  • *
  • Posts: 16253
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #136 on: March 23, 2018, 09:36:57 AM »
Not sure if you're familiar with www.warmshowers.org, but that might be a good resource for finding some hosts for your trip.

We're super familiar with it, we're a host family!! Warm Showers is our backup plan!

Le Poisson

  • CM*MW 2024 Attendees
  • Senior Mustachian
  • *
  • Posts: 16253
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #137 on: March 24, 2018, 02:01:19 PM »
For those wondering, here is our current take on the route for 2018... This will change as we refine trail connections, find host families, and massage travel distances.


avrex

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 357
  • Location: Canada
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #138 on: March 24, 2018, 07:46:00 PM »
Amazing.

Do you know your approximate date of departure?

Le Poisson

  • CM*MW 2024 Attendees
  • Senior Mustachian
  • *
  • Posts: 16253
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #139 on: March 24, 2018, 07:52:09 PM »
Amazing.

Do you know your approximate date of departure?

We plan to head out on Aug 17 or 18 and arrive on (or about) Sept. 1

avrex

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 357
  • Location: Canada
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #140 on: March 24, 2018, 09:59:02 PM »
I know that this isn't meant to be a sightseeing tour, but around that time, you'll be cycling by GlassBarge on the canal.

GlassBarge, with it's hot glass making demonstrations, is also travelling the historic canal this summer with stops in the ports of Brockport (Aug 17-19) and Pittsford (Aug24-26) at around the time you're passing through.

You probably won't be able to stop, as you've got some serious miles to ride each day, but I just wanted to note it as something interesting along the canal route.

ElleFiji

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4013
  • Age: -161
  • Location: Always Winter
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #141 on: March 25, 2018, 05:30:24 AM »
Are the pushpins your expected sleepover spots? If so, and you guys like cats and living room floors, I will add you to the calendar. If not, I will add you to the waving and treat giving calendar

Le Poisson

  • CM*MW 2024 Attendees
  • Senior Mustachian
  • *
  • Posts: 16253
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #142 on: March 28, 2018, 08:14:33 AM »
Are the pushpins your expected sleepover spots? If so, and you guys like cats and living room floors, I will add you to the calendar. If not, I will add you to the waving and treat giving calendar

The pushpins are... how big is your backyard ;o)

I'll keep your cat-filled apartment as a backup. Right now I am hoping to get a tent space at one of the yacht clubs close to the Waterfront trail. The nice thing about that is that the club will have to notify its membership that there are visitors onsite... which is free publicity to 100 boat owners. Also, the YC is next door to the scout shop which gives a nice tie-in to that network.

Speaking of publicity, we broke through a barrier this week!! I finally got a US news anchor to reply to a message! Looks like a station in Buffalo wants to talk to us. Fingers crossed that we can start pitching our story to US stations and build up some respect and brand recognition. It has been surprisingly difficult to get American stations to talk to us. I'm not super-worried since our ride is still months away and many media outlets work in a minute-to-minute (high stress) schedule, but still its nice to know our pitch was heard and that some interest was piqued.

I have also heard though that US local media is more fragmented than Canadian networks. I guess folks move around more here and share stories between stations, willingly passing a story down the line from market to market within their own network. From what I've heard, the US is more protective of stories, not wanting to share contacts and sources as freely. Dunno. All I can do is keep knocking on doors.

Finally, we now have giving sites set up with the charities on both ends of the ride, which is exciting. It means I can set up a website as a central point of contact and then redirect donations from there. The tri-fold site will show an avenue to give directly to Grandview (where James is waitlisted), To cover the ride expenses, and to support EJ Autism in NYC. Anyone have advice on low-cost web hosting services? Any advice on a platform to use to build the site - for a guy who has never built anything fancier than a Blogger blog (that failed miserably to hold anyone's attention).

This is the good stuff.

robartsd

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3342
  • Location: Sacramento, CA
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #143 on: March 28, 2018, 09:39:26 AM »
Speaking of publicity, we broke through a barrier this week!! I finally got a US news anchor to reply to a message! Looks like a station in Buffalo wants to talk to us. Fingers crossed that we can start pitching our story to US stations and build up some respect and brand recognition. It has been surprisingly difficult to get American stations to talk to us. I'm not super-worried since our ride is still months away and many media outlets work in a minute-to-minute (high stress) schedule, but still its nice to know our pitch was heard and that some interest was piqued.

I have also heard though that US local media is more fragmented than Canadian networks. I guess folks move around more here and share stories between stations, willingly passing a story down the line from market to market within their own network. From what I've heard, the US is more protective of stories, not wanting to share contacts and sources as freely. Dunno. All I can do is keep knocking on doors.
I imagine that one of the national morning news magazine shows (Today, Good Morning America, CBS This Morning) would pick up this story. If nothing else you'd be very likely to get picked to highlight from the crowd on the Today show if you show up at Rockefeller plaza with James holding a sign reading "I rode my bike here from Toronto Canada".

change_seeker

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 427
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #144 on: March 28, 2018, 10:37:41 AM »
Speaking of publicity, we broke through a barrier this week!! I finally got a US news anchor to reply to a message! Looks like a station in Buffalo wants to talk to us.

I lived in Buffalo for about 5 years.  I don't have any media contacts there, but would be glad to share any links with my FB friends there (as long as I don't decide to #DeleteFacebook).

Le Poisson

  • CM*MW 2024 Attendees
  • Senior Mustachian
  • *
  • Posts: 16253
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #145 on: March 28, 2018, 11:10:38 AM »
Knock yourself out! Our FB page is: www.facebook.com/RideJamesRide and our twitter is #RideJamesRide

I'm mostly active on Twitter - although I had linked the two accounts at one time... but I didn't like it so now we're unlinked.

This morning I re-read the Ottawa citizen's article on us from last year. Its a good one to share: http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/welcoming-party-greets-father-and-son-as-they-complete-ride-for-autism

Le Poisson

  • CM*MW 2024 Attendees
  • Senior Mustachian
  • *
  • Posts: 16253
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #146 on: March 28, 2018, 03:20:10 PM »
Will there be a new GoFundMe page for this ride, or will it be added to the previous GoFundMe page?

Hey Avrex...

Please remove the URL tags - there will be a new one. The structure will go thusly:

1. Donate to Grandview Childrens' Centre where James is waitlisted
2. Donate to EJ Autism in NYC
3. Donate to GFM which will cover travel expenses and incidentals, with remaining funds being split between the two above named charities.

We will open our own incidentals account closer to our departure date since it doesn't take much cash to ride a bike, and the other accounts are the important ones.

« Last Edit: March 28, 2018, 07:59:20 PM by Prospector »

ElleFiji

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4013
  • Age: -161
  • Location: Always Winter
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #147 on: March 28, 2018, 06:42:41 PM »
My balcony is small and cat free. I will message you seperately, but I think that the port credit BIA and less so the Oakville and Bronte BIAs will be interested in the ride. I would expect you to be well fed and cheered in port credit.

Le Poisson

  • CM*MW 2024 Attendees
  • Senior Mustachian
  • *
  • Posts: 16253
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #148 on: March 28, 2018, 08:56:18 PM »
Excerpt from radio interview last week...

https://twitter.com/RideJamesRide/status/979127574122053632

The full interview will be posted to the Facebook tomorrow AM sometime.

Le Poisson

  • CM*MW 2024 Attendees
  • Senior Mustachian
  • *
  • Posts: 16253
Re: I would ride 500 km and I would ride 500 more...
« Reply #149 on: March 29, 2018, 07:10:49 PM »
A few days ago a small box arrived from FROG bikes. The delivery coincided with one James' rougher days at school, so we've been holding that box as a reward for when he vindicates himself of bad behaviour. In the interim, I've been concerned by the label on the side of that box that says "1 of 2". because, 2 of 2 is the bike. And if FedEx was going to lose one of these two boxes, I really really hoped it would not be the bike.

So it was with great relief that I received a pic from Momma this afternoon of the big box on the porch... which is the bike. All is well with the world. We now have a bike and a bunch of riding clothes and some bolt-on bike accessories.

We will take the bike to a local bike shop for assembly and kitting out with fenders and racks etc. We should get it back looking like a kid-sized touring bike. New bike day pics will be posted as soon as new bike day really happens. Right now it's just new box day.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile, I've been building our network and researching towns. Today I focussed on creating a directory of all the social stuff I could find for community service groups, news outlets (print and broadcast) and elected officials in Albany. I need to create this listing so we can start building a web across the state as the weather turns in to summer. We will repeat the exercise for Syracuse, Buffalo, the Hudson Valley, and Western NY. It is a lot of searching. Anyone want to tackle a city? I'd be happy to share.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I've promised myself that over the long weekend I'd also build a website. I even made a login on Wix. I do not like making a website. Even on Wix. This may not be fun. I think I'll make it on paper first and then try to translate my scribbles to a web platform. Anyone want to tell me a place where I want to go to build and host a website? Are there advantages to Wix over GoDaddy over others??? This thing has to work for 8 months and just share who we are and give outlinks to our charities. I'm not even worried about SEO since we'll just be driving traffic to it from interviews and social media. I do want it to look professional though.



 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!