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As you know we have implemented a Community Outreach program. This program involves Wild Prairie HOG members to reach out to our communities to support and participate in respective community activities.

Boyd Uppman and I volunteered for the Tour de Tonka held on August 1st. Tour de Tonka is a community fund raising event, in its 4th year, to support the Minnetonka (and surrounding communities) Education center. For more information go to http://minnetonka.registryinsight.com/

Over 2,500 bicyclist were in attendance to ride (not race) on one of 4 different routes. Each rider could select from a 16, 38, 62 or 75 mile route. Over 250 volunteers, 40+ police and fire departments, and 3 trucks carrying bicycle spare parts/tires participated in this 6 .5 hour event. There were four different rest stops. At each stop there was live music and tables full of fruit, water, nutrition snacks and donuts.

Boyd and I rode the different routes looking for bicyclist who were stranded, lost or had a flat tire. Boyd made 2 different calls to have trucks bring in spare tires. We were fortunate that we did not get to practice our Accident Scene Management skills.

Riding next to thousands of bicyclists caused me to reflect upon the number of times we have been in group rides signaling single file for bicyclist on the road. It is important that we continue to do so. After all we share the road with a fellow rider who like us share the passion to ride, have their senses bombarded, and enjoy the sights. They only lack a mechanical motor.

Our intention was to bring the New Glory Flag Bike to the event, but 35 mile per hour wind gusts prevented us, so we rode our bikes carrying 3x5 feet American flags.

While we bikers lavish ourselves with t-shirts and leathers, I observed that bicyclist lavish themselves on various colors of spandex, and brightly colored shirts with various logos of businesses or bicycle manufacturer names. I concluded not all adults should wear spandex… perhaps they should move up to leather, motorcycles, and join the Wild Prairie HOG.

The Tour de Tonka is the first Saturday in August. We were such a hit, Tim Litfin the event director, asked us to come back next year and bring 22 bikers with us. The benefit: get to meet some great people, ride, have fun, and receive a free event t-shirt…not to mention making a contribution to a community event.

Chris