Thank You, Sun Valley Cycle and Cycle Cycle!

The Wheels for Change riders based in Vernon have been supported by two local bicycle operations, Sun Valley Cycles (a bicycle store) and Cycle Cycle (an organization dedicated to recycling old bicycles). Sun Valley Cycles has provided us with a discount for all bike parts, and has put a lot of work into tuning up our bikes. Thank you, Bernie and others! Cycle Cycle has also devoted a lot of time and attention to making our bikes ready for the road. Thanks to Brent, John and others.

Yes, You Can Still Register!

People are asking whether they can still register for the tour (we very sternly said on the Bike Tour page of the website that the deadline was two weeks ago!), and the answer is 'yes'! As long as you let us know, by email or telephone, and a day or two in advance, so that we can make plans for including you in our meals and camping arrangements!

We Could Use One More Driver!

One more thing - we are looking for one extra person to help out in the kidmobile, with driving and child-minding. There are five (nice!) kids between the age of 7 and 12. We have one great child-minder/grandma, but she would appreciate a helping hand! You wouldn't have to bicycle (unless you want to!), and you would free up one of our cyclists to log more kms!

One Week To Go!

It's one week before we hit the road and it's all falling into place. Depending upon where we are on the route, our core group ranges from 20 to 30 people (and in age from 3 to 73!), dozens more are planning to join us just for the day, and hundreds more will be taking part in our shorter bike rides within the towns and cities. We are so impressed by the diversity, passion and commitment of the people joining this tour. We can see that we are tapping into a strong current of feeling, shared by many people across the province, that stronger action needs to be taken on this issue - and soon. So, as we enter our final weeks of preparation, we would like to say that we look forward very much to seeing you out there somewhere along the route!

Finally - watch this space! This Announcements blog will shortly become our Travel blog, complete with photos!

Blessing of the Bicycles!

'I look forward to keeping track of your progress. I spoke with Michael Batten at St David’s in Delta (he and I coordinate the Blessing of the Bicycles together with a small group of Anglican and Lutheran cyclists), and we will put in a prayer for safe travels for all involved in Wheels for Change on June 29^th.'

Paige Dampier
Parish Ministry Facilitator,
Anglican Diocese of New Westminster

We miss you, Otesha Project Rocky Mountain Group!

My family just had 17 house guests between the age of 18-30 over four days last week. They were the Otesha Project's Rocky Mountain group, and they rolled in on their bikes, set up their tents, cooked up some local, organic food, and generally provided my family and the Wheels for Change group here with lots of ideas, fun and inspiration. Check out their website to learn more about this fantastic project, that involves a two month tour by bicycle, performing plays in high schools on sustainability issues. When they left, we missed them, but we sure appreciated their 'leave the campsite cleaner than when you found it' policy!

A Bike Ride in the Lower Mainland

Date: September 8-9, 2007
What: The 23^rd Annual Bicycle Trek for Life and Breath is an exhilarating, fully supported, two-day 200-kilometre ride along rural roads with mountain views and waterfront scenery to raise money in support of lung health. Riding at your own pace means you don’t need to be a gold medal athlete; just prepare yourself for fun, fresh air, and 400 new friends!

Contact Info:
Our website: www.bicycletrek.ca
Tel: 604-731-5864