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Post by bikopelli on Feb 17, 2009 8:28:56 GMT -5
I thought I would post this topic on here and inform others about what I am doing. On April 30th, 2009 I will be riding by bicycle from Yorktown, VA to Astoria, OR for a charity organization called 'Mercy Corps'. The goal is to raise as much as possible to help those in need by gaining sponsors to donate on a mileage basis. I am asking for 1 penny a mile for various segments, 500, 1,000, 2,000 miles, etc, up to 4,261 miles or more. I will also be volunteering my time on local organic farms along the way through a program called WWOOF, World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. I will volunteer my time on these farms in exchange for room, board, and knowledge on how to live more sustainably through the cultivation of organic produce. You can learn more about me, my charity, WWOOF, the route, the gear, my bicycle, and track my progress through America on my website at www.bikopelli.comI am also looking for people to ride with. I am currently training for the long haul so some company on the road is always a plus. However, I am riding a Surly Long Haul Trucker so it is hard to keep up with many of you guys. I will also be setting up fund raising booths in Western North Carolina and I will try and post these events when I have it worked out. I know for sure I will be at Earth Day, April 14th on the lawn of the University Center and I will also be at the 'Greening up the Mountains' festival in Sylva, April 26th. Please stop by and check it all out. At the booths you can meet me, learn more about my route, gear, the charity I am riding for, WWOOF program, how you can get involved with the WWOOF program, and even try your hand at riding a fully loaded touring bike. Hope to see you soon! Dane bikopelli.com |
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Post by 1yellowtire on Feb 17, 2009 11:04:51 GMT -5
Sounds like a great ride and a great cause. Good luck!
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Post by Vespa on Feb 17, 2009 11:09:09 GMT -5
Hi Dane -- that's awesome. There must be something in the water around here -- you and others have planned these inspirational rides. If you post a ride with details on the ride section of this board, I'll try to join you (and you'll have no trouble keeping up). There's about enough daylight to consider a 5pm ride now, I think. Mike I thought I would post this topic on here and inform others about what I am doing. On April 30th, 2009 I will be riding by bicycle from Yorktown, VA to Astoria, OR for a charity organization called 'Mercy Corps'. The goal is to raise as much as possible to help those in need by gaining sponsors to donate on a mileage basis. I am asking for 1 penny a mile for various segments, 500, 1,000, 2,000 miles, etc, up to 4,261 miles or more. I will also be volunteering my time on local organic farms along the way through a program called WWOOF, World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. I will volunteer my time on these farms in exchange for room, board, and knowledge on how to live more sustainably through the cultivation of organic produce. You can learn more about me, my charity, WWOOF, the route, the gear, my bicycle, and track my progress through America on my website at www.bikopelli.comI am also looking for people to ride with. I am currently training for the long haul so some company on the road is always a plus. However, I am riding a Surly Long Haul Trucker so it is hard to keep up with many of you guys. I will also be setting up fund raising booths in Western North Carolina and I will try and post these events when I have it worked out. I know for sure I will be at Earth Day, April 14th on the lawn of the University Center and I will also be at the 'Greening up the Mountains' festival in Sylva, April 26th. Please stop by and check it all out. At the booths you can meet me, learn more about my route, gear, the charity I am riding for, WWOOF program, how you can get involved with the WWOOF program, and even try your hand at riding a fully loaded touring bike. Hope to see you soon! Dane bikopelli.com |
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Post by Josh Whitmore on Feb 17, 2009 12:57:29 GMT -5
Quick opinion, people might take you and your message more seriously if you quit smoking and wore a helmet. Not to mention that you would ride faster, more efficiently, and safer. Overall, I'm jealous and wish I could go along.
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Post by Moose on Feb 17, 2009 17:25:23 GMT -5
Dane, I see you on campus a lot and actually rode with you once last year. I was a good deal heavier then and was on a white Specialized Hardrock. Glad to see you are doing this!
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Post by wcuracer on Feb 17, 2009 17:49:57 GMT -5
Dane,
Glad to see you out riding today. I think what your doing is awesome. I agree with Mr. Whitmore about the helmet...A helmet could save your life and you can get one at Walmart or MM really really cheap.
The website looks great! I really wish I could do something like this right now; Your going to have a BLAST!
Safe Riding,
Clint
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Post by TC on Feb 17, 2009 20:24:38 GMT -5
Hmmmm... A smoker that does not wear a helmet and likes Ron Paul. So if I become a sponsor, will my first $3 go toward a pack of cigarettes? Actually Ron Paul turns my stomach more than the other two items in your closet.
It appears you have a PR problem.
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Post by bikopelli on Feb 18, 2009 15:14:25 GMT -5
Wow, I did not expect to be critiqued, especially about my own personal habits, so much from my community. Your comments are quite discouraging. My father always said if you have nothing good to say just keep it to yourself and maybe this is what you should have done. However, I will respond to each of your critiques.
The helmet: yes, you are very much correct. I usually only wear a helmet when I am touring. I hardly every wear one when I am training around town. This is a problem and yes I do recognize this. However, I enjoy riding with whatever makes me feel the most comfortable and well my wool cap is quite comfy. This is not the first time I have received flack on the helmet and yes I will begin to wear one for my own safety. I just about got creamed by an 18 wheeler the other day so that put things into perspective. Then again not wearing a helmet is a personal choice in which everyone should respect but thankyou for the advice and words of wisdom. I will start wearing one the next ride I take. Thank you for your concern.
My Smoking: I should quit, thank you for reminding me. I have smoked since I was 15 years old, or ever since I began working in the kitchen. I quickly found out that I was never allowed a break unless I smoked cigerettes. So, I began smoking so I would be able to have a 10 minute break every hour or two. Since then I have not stopped. I like to roll my own which costs me about 10 bucks every 3 months. Nevertheless, my personal habits and vices are really nobody's business but mine. It is a personal habit that I have picked up and I wish every day that I had not. In all honesty, if my smoking is what is keeping you from encouraging/sponsoring/or helping out in my project than I am sorry. You must always have respect for others and the habits we all choose through life. Critiquing and criticizing them never does any good so please hold the criticism. If you would like to do this you can send me a personal e-mail. I have not hurt you through my smoking and it is of no relevance to my efforts. I think this is an oppression problem in this country. I am no lesser of a person nor any less capable of cycling for charity. I can cycle over 80 miles fully loaded in one day without a problem. However, I am in the process of quitting and I am now down to 2-3 a day and hope to be completly free from my habit that has enslaved me for over 8 years.
Politics: Yes, I supported Ron Paul and yes again my political beliefs are of no relevance to my efforts. Furthermore, they are of no business to anyone but me. I realize I have put photo's up showing my political beliefs and I will correct this. Again, if my political stand point is what is stopping you from encourging/sponsoring/helping this project is rediculous. Perhaps it is time to put political views aside and focus on a bigger picture, helping those in need. I like Ron Paul solely because he was a strict constitutionalist, which is a document that I keep very close to my heart. I believe that political standpoints has severely divided this wonderful nation and now is not the time to spite others on their political viewpoints. I think it is time to join hands and work together and move toward a common goal in which we all share.
If you have any more questions, especially personal, feel free to write me an e-mail. With personal questions such as these I would always prefer to meet personally with you to discuss this. I am always available in the evenings and will be more than willing to answer any question that you may have. Again, thanks for the concern with my safety, I will begin to ride with a helmet.
I hope to see you all out on the road soon and thanks to all of you who have sponsored and supported this project.
Tailwinds
Dane
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Post by Vespa on Feb 18, 2009 16:48:26 GMT -5
Well -- I didn't see it but if there was a picture that showed smoking and it was linked to a message in a cycling forum, commentary is very predictable. We're a bunch of vehement anti-smoking helmet advocates here.
Yours was a civil and well-written response. I (hopefully we) hope you don't feel too judged. Take care, and like I said just e-mail or post if you're riding from campus.
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Post by TC on Feb 18, 2009 18:08:32 GMT -5
"...my personal habits and vices are really nobody's business but mine. You must always have respect for others and the habits we all choose through life." Politics: Yes, I supported Ron Paul and yes again my political beliefs are of no relevance to my efforts. Furthermore, they are of no business to anyone but me. I like Ron Paul solely because he was a strict constitutionalist, which is a document that I keep very close to my heart. I believe that political standpoints has severely divided this wonderful nation and now is not the time to spite others on their political viewpoints. I think it is time to join hands and work together and move toward a common goal in which we all share. The National Institutes of Health reports that second hand smoke kills between 21,000 and 75,000 people every year. Your smoking is killing people, besides yourself. There is no debate on this, it is true, you are killing people with your habit. You say your political beliefs are no business to anyone but you. You then go on to pontificate on why you support Ron Paul, and how we should all work together. So what is it? Nobody's business, or do you want us all to know how you feel? Why on earth would you post something on an open online forum and expect no feedback or discussion positive or negative? Or do you only accept positive feedback? You never answered the question about sponsorship money buying you tobacco products? |
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Post by bikopelli on Feb 18, 2009 22:10:27 GMT -5
You are very much right about second hand smoke. This is a tragedy that so many innocent people lose their lives from the habits of others. This truly saddens me. Others should never have to lose their life of others misuse of someone else s body. However, I am always extremely respectful of others when I smoke. I make it a top priority to not have it drift their way. Of the eight years I have smoked I have never received any comments on my second hand smoke but this does not mean it has occurred nor is this an excuse for my actions. I will consider your wisdom and others on the effects of smoking on my health and the health of others around me. Your body is your temple and I do not wish to destroy mine even further nor do I wish to damage others health from my habits. I can only hope I retain the willpower to break such an addiction. Doing this will be considerably harder than cycling the country so I have quite a bit to accomplish.
Further on politics: I do not wish to discuss any further my political viewpoints. Even though I have photo's displaying my political support, you sir have brought this argument to the table. Many of such photo's are really all that I have in my library simply because I rarely take photo's of me. Politics is not the purpose of my post here. I am not here to discuss politics, this is not the time nor place to do this. I find it rather inappropriate to discuss such things on a cycling forum. However, I have already hinted to the reason why and I will apologize for further progressing this topic. I will not further discuss any political viewpoints on this forum. If you would like to know what mine are you can contact me via e-mail or arrange a meeting.
On Criticism: Yes, you are right again. Posting topics on an open forum allows others the option to share feedback, both positive and negative. I actually like the fact that others can post their opinions. It helps me to be more accepting of others and allows me to further gain wisdom and knowledge. However, I am not use to such extreme criticism and feedback. I am relatively young and I have spent a majority of my life living behind the scene. I have never once been apart of any project where public criticism came into play. This is for sure a learning experience especially when it comes to being tolerant and accepting of others viewpoints and criticism. I will do my best to answer any question with the utmost respect and honesty. But, the negative feedback and critique came to me as a shock. I have received nothing but kind words of support from my community. I am now learning that such criticism is to be expected with anything that is done in the public eye and I must accept this. However, Mother Theresa once said that if you judge others you have less time to love them. I'm not asking you to love me but positive feedback is always noble and reassuring. But, I would not be in this position if I did not learn from my mistakes or take the advice of those wiser than me. If you have any further questions feel free to post them and I will answer them to the best of my ability.
Last question, the $3.00 donation for cigs. All online donations through my website go directly to Mercy Corps. I do not receive any of this for personal reasons. Furthermore, all offline donations, even though in my possession, go directly to Mercy Corps. If you would like confirm these transactions you can contact my liaison at Mercy Corps, Minda Seipurt at 503-796-6800.
I hope that I have answered your questions. I will take everyone's advice on the smoking. Even though I am not competing, it is essential to be an effective steward of your most valuable possession. Again, I will post when I will be riding and I hope to see some of you out there, this time helmet and all!
Tailwinds
Dane
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Post by Josh Whitmore on Feb 18, 2009 22:16:35 GMT -5
bikeopelli, you are right, I should have sent you my suggestion by personal message rather than posting it on the board. It came across fairly poorly as well. I didn't really want to cut you down, it was actually a poorly executed attempt to help. First impressions are critical to sales / money raising /charity work. Send the wrong message at the beginning, and you get nothing. Subtle things sway people's opinions. In my case, I was put off by the helmet and smoking. Both seem contrary to the message you are trying to get across and I'm more moved by people's actions rather than their words. Sure you can do whatever you choose. That is your right as a human, but when you stand for something, you have to manage your image - whether you like it or not.
For example, your first impression of me is probably now horrible. I think most will vouch that I'm actually very welcoming of people into the cycling fold and help quite a bit with both cycling related endeavors and charity work. But after your first impression of me, I'm sure you are thinking "that guy is an A-hole". See how quickly you can turn someone off?
I'm also jealous of your endeavor. I get to ride a lot, but am stuck working everyday. I wish you lots of luck. What a grand adventure to embark on! No matter what happens, it will change your life forever. You'll have to rely on yourself more than you ever have before and fight the doubt that creeps in that you won't finish what you have set out to do. Hurtles like I have just thrown at you will need to be overcome. The reward though is huge. If you accomplish what you are setting out to do, you will carry the confidence to complete many other hard things in the future. The best times of your life are yet to come.
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Post by squidlyman on Apr 2, 2009 21:23:16 GMT -5
The helmet: yes, you are very much correct. I usually only wear a helmet when I am touring. I hardly every wear one when I am training around town. This is a problem and yes I do recognize this. However, I enjoy riding with whatever makes me feel the most comfortable and well my wool cap is quite comfy. This is not the first time I have received flack on the helmet and yes I will begin to wear one for my own safety. I just about got creamed by an 18 wheeler the other day so that put things into perspective. Then again not wearing a helmet is a personal choice in which everyone should respect but thankyou for the advice and words of wisdom. I will start wearing one the next ride I take. Thank you for your concern. No worries on the helmet... it's a personal choice that effects nobody but yourself (similar to a seatbelt law). This is a distinctly different argument from the smoking vs non-smoking argument, which can impact others. That said, worry not when it comes to the helmet! My take on this is 'cause ironically I'm opposite yourself. Around town, I tend to wear one... when when on tour, I don't. But, that's more due to the fact that I wear one when on my 2-wheeler, but not when on my 3-wheeler. It's not very far to the ground, and quite tough as well, for me to fall off of my trike. Furthermore, in both cases, if I get hit by a vehicle, a helmet will not help anyway. |
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Post by TC on Apr 3, 2009 7:22:53 GMT -5
it's a personal choice that effects nobody but yourself (similar to a seatbelt law). This is a distinctly different argument from the smoking vs non-smoking argument, which can impact others. If a person that has no insurance crashes his bike, who pays? You are wrong to say it does not effect anyone but yourself. |
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andyp
Newbie Member
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Post by andyp on Apr 3, 2009 15:42:01 GMT -5
Exactly. Can the injured person fully cover all medical costs? Or all liability?
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