Conference noted::bicycle

190.0. "TRANSAMERICAN TREK" by USRCV1::CAPIRCHIOB () Tue Dec 23 1986 12:22

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    HOPE YOU FIND THIS INTERESTING....LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR REPLIES....
    
    			REGARDS,
    
    			    BERNIE
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        A few years ago, after moving to Rochester, I became interested in
    bicycling. Having previously been a jogger since 1969, my right knee
    started to bother me and I had to find another way to relieve the normal,
    everyday tension that the job and two teenaged daughter's can cause, hence
    cycling.
    
        At first I used to "ASK!!!!" my oldest daughter, Gina, to go with me,
    which she did until she started college and got the use of a car. Then it
    was "DAD, WHAT ARE YOU, GOOFY ?".... So I started going off by myself,
    10 to 15 miles at a time, and that got me really hooked. The challenge
    of the hills and distance was great. 
    
        Now that I was really into the sport I was confronted with the
    desire of upgrading my equipment. My accountant, at first, didn't like
    that idea too much, but I made her an offer she couldn't refuse...so I
    purchased a PEUGEOT PH501. What a bike! The hills that used to give me
    problems weren't so bad after all and I started to put on the miles, 35
    to 45 miles on Saturdays and then again on Sundays. It was great! 
    
       Then, one night this past winter, while skiing at Bristol Mt. I ran
    into Steve Malanga of the Rochester Office. He was with a gentleman by
    the name of Tony Wildy (a Digital customer at Rochester Monotype.) In
    our conversation it came out that not only was Tony a cyclist, but he had
    found a way to combine cycling with charity fund raising, and this was by
    participating in bike treks for the American Lung Association. 
    
        The first trek I took part in was 150 miles over 3 days. On this trek
    I raised $567.00 for the American Lung Association. Between this trek
    (Finger lakes) along with the Chautauqua Experience, the American Lung
    Association raised $105,000. 
    
        Recently, The American Lung Association announced an inaugural
    "TRANSAMERICAN" bike trek, from Seattle, WA to Atlantic City, NJ. for a
    total of 3,150 miles, to be run between 1-June and 12-July 1987. The goal
    is for 200 trekers to raise $5,000 each, for a total of one million
    dollars. This was an opportunity I couldn't pass up...so I did it...I
    sent in my $100.00 registration fee and enrolled for the trek. 
    
        How does one get ready for such an endeavor, especially over winter?
    Besides the obvious, a shrink, you spend a lot of time on a Precor 615e
    rower, jump rope, and have a wife who doesn't mind you getting up at 5 A.M.
    to work out (well maybe only minds a LITTLE!!!). Besides, as a Support
    Engineer you know, once you get to work in the morning, that you have no
    idea when you'll return home that night. So you work out first thing in the
    morning. 
    
        To do it's part, the American Lung Association has arranged with a
    bike shop in Buffalo to provide a Vetta Pro-Beam wind trainer at cost.
    So, to make things easy on my family, I plan to do that training at
    night. Besides, getting up at 5 A.M. is early enough. Once the weather
    turns nice however, (hopefully by Easter) I'll hit the roads again and 
    begin doing some serious distance work. 
    
        Now for what may be the hard part, raising the money. I myself will
    be paying for plane fare to Seattle and my wife hopes to get vacation
    to drive down to Atlantic City to pick me up. Besides going to other 
    organizations and people, I look to my peers here at Digital to help in
    any way they can. Any amount pledged will be appreciated, keep in mind 
    that any amount in excess of 15 dollars will be matched by DEC. Already 
    some of the Tech's in Field Service are talking about a penny a mile. 
    Remember, this is going to hurt me more than it will hurt you. But you
    can make my effort worthwhile by pledging. For more information please
    call me at DTN 252-7122.

	In closing, I look forward to the challenge, to helping a worthy cause
    and carrying Digital's colors across the country, with your help.

    Sounds like a good and ambitious idea.  I will pledge $.02/mile.
    
    Chuck Connell
    8 Adams Terrace
    Newton, MA  02158
    617-244-3436
    

    
    I'll back up Chuck and second his $.02/mile.
    
    Please send me mail for address information and home phone.
    
    Chris
    

    
    I've been active on the club level for about 6 years now.  A few
    years ago, I'd had it with all the fund raisers 'using' bicycling
    to get money.  People wrote it off - 'that's just grouchy Paulhus...'
    and kept playing the fund raising game.  
      During the last year or so, our club has gotten stiffed by a few
    of these charitable organizations, and most of the members are comming
    around to my viewpoint.  These organizations don't give a damn about
    bicyclists and bicycling except as a source of funds. They come
    on all sweet and friendly, but after the event, they won't even
    talk to you.  So, don't mention fund raisers around me. I'll work
    my tail off for bicycling, but not for those creeps.  - Chris

    I have twice been the mechanic for the NHLA treks (now ALA of NH)
    and support the treks and the concept.  Good luck!
    
    I am already into the Transamerica Trek for a few pledges so will
    not add to that at this time.
    
    As for winter training, there are many factors that determine
    how much training you must do during the winter in order to be
    ready for 75 mi/day.  I think the most important is expected
    perfomrance level because I think that anyone who has come close
    to that mileage in the past (75 mi/day for 3 or more days) can
    get into sufficient shape in April or May.  The key is sufficient.
    It is likely that more enjoyment will accompany the 75 mi/day if
    you do train during the winter.
    
    As for the "business" comments that Chris made, I do agree.  I think
    that the many charities that are using bicycling for fund raisers
    are as desirable as the sporting goods stores that shove 6 bikes
    in the corner to sell so they can make a few extra bucks.  Neither
    does the sport any great favors.  I don't solicit funds for fundraisers
    because I see no reason for others to support my habit/avocation
    (the transamerica's $5000 might be an exception if I were to do
    it) but I do do fundraisers -- several per year, in fact.
    
    I have particular animosities for the organizations that get kids
    to raise money and have only token concern for the safety of the
    machines those kids ride.  I've seen them, they're bad.  But that's
    another soap box for another topic.
    
    Once a trekker too,
    ed
      

As Charles River Wheelmen president, I get some strange calls,
including a few from organizations wanting help from (non-profit and
non-commercial) C.R.W. 

Got a message 2 weeks ago at work to call a certain number.

Called it, the woman said they wanted help in arranging a bicycle ride 
for use as a sales promo for their staff.

So I asked the woman who she was:

"I'm the district sales manager for IBM"  she said.


	Mike

    RE: .3 nd .4
    
    Could you be specific?  Exactly what problems have you had from
    these fund-raising rides (or riders)?
    
    Chuck
    

    I don't want to take any thunder away from the transamerica trek
    or to otherwise cast aspersions onto the lung association so will
    rep to .6 by posting a new note.