May 15, 2007
Rider Profile: The Clydes
Joe and Margene Clyde live on a farm 13 miles outside of Myrtle Creek, Oregon. Joe says he and his wife "ride to eat and eat to ride." Last summer the couple, ages 69 and 67, spent two weeks in Southern France doing 50 and 60 miles a day. Spain was on their list for this summer, but instead they'll be building a house "closer to town" so they can ride more with friends. Joe says they ride year round, "This time of year we are riding 100+ miles a week. Our riding in general we do as part of our healthy lifestyle."
The Clydes are two of the 2,000+ people who will be participating in Reach the Beach this Saturday. They say they like the event "because it is for a great cause, is well supported, has lots of great people to visit with - and it's not a killer ride." They have participated in the ride six times: three along the Salem (80) mile route and three along the Portland (100) route. "We enjoy the whole scene," Joe says, "the ride, the food, the people and the finish with a visit to the Pelican Pub!"
So look for the Clydes out there this Saturday! And let's all cross our fingers that the weather continues to be as great as it has been lately.
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May 11, 2007
Reach the Beach - Take the Ferry!
(Today is the last day to register online, but you can easily register at the event also.)
It's hard to want to write about anything other than Reach the Beach these days. The amazing weather we're having (albeit a little chilly in the morning) makes me think about sunny days spent lounging on the Oregon Coast. Reach the Beach lets you do just that - after a bit of riding.
But the real kicker this year is the FERRY! The southern routes now go over the Wheatland ferry north of Salem. If you like the idea of hopping on a boat for a little rest and a fun ride, you've got two ride options:
the 80 mile route out of Salem or the 110 route out of Corvallis. Reach the Beach has three other routes: 100 miles out of Portland, 55 miles out of Amity and a nice introductory 26 miles out of Grand Ronde.
Online registration closes today, but you can still register at the start line.
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May 8, 2007
What's your Shark Tale?
Reach the Beach puts out a rider newsletter called Shark Tales. It gives details info on the ride, tips for fundraising and features profiles on some of the riders. It also have photos of the ride and all sorts of other cool pre-ride info. We want to know about your personal shark tales! Have you participated in Reach the Beach? What was the ride like for you? Are you riding this year?
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May 7, 2007
Not Scary: Fundraising for a Benefit Ride
Here's a little help for those of you who are riding Reach the Beach. I spoke with Jennifer Baldwin, the fundraising guru at the American Lung Association of Oregon, and she assured me fundraising isn't scary, it's simple. Here are the five tips she suggests that make it quick and easy to qualify for cool fundraising prizes (like the sold-out Cycle Oregon).
* Start by sending an e-mail to all of your friends. Tell them what you're doing and ask for their support.
* Don't be afraid to follow up with people who have said they will donate to your fundraising efforts. A quick reminder e-mail.
* Ask everyone to support your fundraising efforts. You never know who has been affected by lung disease.
* Include pictures: of you on your bike, of your loved one with a
lung disease, of you and your family. This reminds your supporters that it’s an important personal issue.
* Use the online fundraising system. These easy-to-use tools make it a snap to quickly meet - and exceed - your goal.
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May 2, 2007
Rider Profile: Jessica Judah
There are tons of people riding Reach the Beach this year. Jessica Judah, 24, is one of the 1,500 riders who has already signed up. Everyone who rides has a different connection to the event. Some people like the physical challenge. Others like the camaraderie among riders. For Jessica, it goes even deeper. Jessica is participating memory of her grandmother who died of lung cancer. Every one of her pedal strokes will be supporting the American Lung Association of Oregon's efforts to promote clean and prevent lung diseases.
So why is Jessica riding? "First of all...it's for a great cause! Secondly, it sounded like a great event to do with my husband and brother in-law and a great way to stay in shape." Of the six route options, the Jessica, who will be riding for the first time, chose the 100 mile route from Portland. "We chose that distance because we really want to push ourselves. Neither of us have ridden that far in one ride and look forward to the challenge!" But Jessica and her husband average about 50 miles a week and usually go for a longer ride every Sunday.
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April 27, 2007
Reach the Beach Pre-Ride Party
The Reach the Beach pre-party is this Sunday, April 29th at REI. Come on over to pick up your rider number so that on the morning of the ride, you're all set to hit the road. They'll be serving up yummy hors d'oeuvres and providing plenty of samples from Clif Bar, Pioneer Organics and more. You'll also get 10% all REI merchandise, a chance to ask fundraising questions and they'll have the new Reach the Beach t-shirt for sale.
Here's a tip: come later in the evening. The event is 7-9 pm. People start lining up at 6 pm, which means there is a huge line at the beginning. Come at 8 pm and avoid the madness.
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April 24, 2007
Volunteer at a Biker Party
Help get things started off right for Reach the Beach, a 17 year tradition and a benefit for the American Lung Association of Oregon. Snack on yummy cheese and crackers, help riders get signed up for the ride, sample tasty energy snacks and organic fruit, sell t-shirts and generally help out.
It's the Reach the Beach Pre-Ride Packet Pickup Party on April 29th at REI Portland, NW 14th and Johnson.
All volunteers get free access to the party, a 10% off coupon to REI and a commemorative cap. To sign up, see the Reach the Beach website. 13 volunteers are still needed, so spread the word.
This picture is of a volunteer in action at the finish line last year, handing out leis - how fun! If you can't make it on Sunday, there are PLENTY of other volunteer opportunities on the ride, so join in on May 19th instead!
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April 23, 2007
Larry and his Babe
No really, that's her name - Babe - and she's the reason Larry is here today, riding Reach the Beach. Several years ago, Larry Tanner, from Tillamook, was injured on the job and unable to work for a long period of time. The normally-active guy didn't take well to all this sitting around, and he quickly developed severe depression and an addiction to his pain medication. Larry gained a lot of weight and his life began to spiral our of control.
But Babe, his wife for 40 years, wasn't about to let that happen. Through her love and support, Larry was able to kick his addiction to the pain medication and he started riding his bike for exercise. Before he knew it, he lost over 100 pounds and signed up to ride Reach the Beach.
That was three years ago and Larry has been riding Reach the Beach ever since. Larry's preferred route is the 100 miles from Portland, but this year he is considering the Corvallis Challenge, a new 110 mile route. And his favorite part about the ride? "First of all," Larry says "its a great ride and for a great cause." He also really loves the anticipation and excitement leading up to the start of the big ride day.
And Babe has been there every step of the way. The first year, she rode with Larry. Now she's an equally-helpful contributor to the event as she volunteers at rest stops along the course. Babe says she loves directing traffic and cheering on riders - and seeing Larry cross the finish line.
These days, Larry puts in 100-200 miles of riding a week, and in 2006 he clocked 6,000 miles. He has come a long way from his days of depression, and Reach the Beach has been a big part of his recovery. So look for Larry out there on the ride, and give him high five. Way to go Larry! We'll see you at the beach.
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April 16, 2007
You Could Win This Rack!
Check out this cool Yakima bike rack. It's solid, easy to use and can carry two bikes. It's perfect for taking your bikes anywhere you want to adventure - and could be yours if you attend tonight's Reach the Beach Fundraising 101 workshop at REI Portland, 7pm. Every attendee will be entered into a drawing for the rack, a $500 value.
You don't need to have ever sold Girl Scout Cookies, gathered pledges or raised money for a cause before in order to be a great fundraiser for Reach the Beach and the programs of the American Lung Association of Oregon. Expert fundraiser, and ALAO Development Director, Jennifer Baldwin will be on hand to share with you her favorite tips and techniques for raising funds. She'll help you get ready as she shows you how fun, and rewarding it can be.
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April 9, 2007
Don't be Afraid to Ask
For most of us, asking for is nervewracking. Even when it's a great cause, like the programs of the American Lung Association of Oregon (ALAO) - programs that save lives, help children run and play and educate people with lung diseases. I mean, when you think about that great work, it shouldn't be so hard to ask for people to give a little to support it.
And yet, for many of us, the mere thought of asking for money makes us clam up and want to crawl in a hole. But there's no reason it should be that way! That's why Jennifer Baldwin of the ALAO is hosting Fundraising 101 for riders of the ALAO's Reach the Beach. Jennifer is the ALAO's Development Director and at the workshop, which is April 16th at REI Downtown, 7pm, she'll share her knowledge from years of fundraising experience. She'll show you how easy it is to raise support for the ride. Jennifer will break it down and give you comfortable, simple-to-use tips and techniques for asking for support from friends, coworkers and family. You'll walk out of there ready to conquer the world... or at least reach that top fundraising prize of a free pass to the sold-out Cycle Oregon ride.
And everyone who attends will be entered into a drawing for a Yakima rooftop bike rack, a $500 value. This is an opportunity you don't want to miss. If you're riding Reach the Beach, we'll see you at REI on the 16th.
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April 4, 2007
Reach the Beach Says, "Hello Corvallis!"
Reach the Beach, well known for its beautiful routes through rural Oregon, continues add new, exciting features every year. This year they've added a Corvallis Challenge, 110 mile route starting from Cheldelin Middle School in Corvallis. This distance route will take you along winding roads through a gorgeous region or Oregon. The quiet rural route will meander through Oregon wine country along the way to Cape Kiwanda in Pacific City where a Finish Line Beach Party, and your pint of Pelican Pub beer, awaits. That's right, a party directly on the beach, as in sink-your-toes-in-the-sand. You're going to love it.
To sign up or for more information on any of the six routes of various lengths, see the Reach the Beach website.
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March 26, 2007
Reach the Beach Amazing Video
You've got to watch this Reach the Beach video. People ride Reach the Beach for all sorts of reasons. This video features Brian, a rider who only has one lung, and how his company, Rejuvination, rallied around him to support his ride. It's a great story.
[ watch the video ]
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March 18, 2007
Everyone Can Reach the Beach
If you've never ridden to the coast, Reach the Beach is a great way to do it! You can choose a variety of routes, from as few as 26 miles (starting from Grand Ronde) to as many as 110 (Corvallis Challenge). And if you've done this ride or your own ride to the coast before, you know how great the routes and scenery are.
Reach the Beach makes it easy, carefree and fun with yummy food along the way (including a hot lunch and a Deli Sandwich Stop), rest stops nearly every 10 miles, support vehicles to carry your baggage and a fabulous beach party - on the sand, at the Pelican Pub - in Pacific City. When was the last time you sunk your toes in the sand while drinking a pint of beer? That's what I thought. It's been TOO LONG. Sign up for Reach the Beach today and cure those winter blues.
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May 21, 2006
How Do You Make 1,800 Cyclists Happy?
Well, you tell them it's going to rain then surprise them with gloriously clear skies, take them through some of Oregon's most beautiful landscape, feed them tons of delicious food along the way, plan their ride to end at a pub on the beach and make sure they never have to wait in line. It may sound too good to be true but it's not - that was Reach the Beach yesterday.
I was at the Grand Ronde stop yesterday and it was awesome. Riders couldn't say enough good things about the beautiful route and the tasty food. These are just a pictures from the day - more to come. Oh, and that 1,800 count is a low estimate. The final numbers aren't in yet.
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May 11, 2006
Volunteer for a Bike Beach Party
Reach the Beach is a 2,000 rider strong benefit bicycle ride for the American Lung Association of Oregon (ALAO). You don't need to be on a bike to make a huge difference in the ALAO's work to promote lung health and clean air. Over 300 volunteers are needed to make this event a success on May 20th.
FREE STUFF FOR VOLUNTEERS!
Breakfast, coffee drinks, snacks, a commemorative hat and free entry to the finish line beach party in Pacific City.
PORTLAND START
The Portland start is the largest location. At least 1,000 riders will be there there and tons of volunteers are still needed. Sign up to share your time for a great morning. The location is Conestoga Middle School and you'll be all finished by 10:00 am. This location also features delicious coffee from Nossa Familia.
SIGN UP TODAY!
See the website for details about morning and afternoon positions in all different parts of Oregon.
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April 28, 2006
Reach the Beach Packet Pickup Party
Morning of a 2,000 person road ride, who wants to wait in line? That's why for Reach the Beach we put together an early packet pick up. Day of, you're ready to ride. Oh, but we took it a step further when we planned this year's Packet Pickup Party at the downtown REI!
Join us this Sunday, 4/30 from 7-9 pm for an evening of great food, health information, coffee by Nossa Familia, new products from Clif Bar and... well, there's much more but you'll just have to come down and see for yourself.
If you are not yet registered for Reach the Beach you can register at the event on Sunday.
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