Tough Kids: Part 5

This may be the last of the Tough Kids photos, unless I attend the Sunday morning kick-off. However, since I'm wrenching on the Tulsa Tough both Saturday and Sunday, I'll probably have some photos from out on the road. I'm working the Super Rest Stop Number 4 on both days, each of them on the century routes. Saturday's is in Ochelata, and Sunday's is in Sahoma. I don't think I've ever been to either town, so here's hoping I don't get lost.


A few of us got together last night to go over the bikes once again. Mostly we re-tensioned chains and fixed flat tires.


The warehouse has no electricity, so we worked near some windows until the sun went down.



I'd estimate that we covered no more than a quarter of the bikes, maybe as much as a third. Adam Vanderburg will be there again today working at getting them ready for the pickup tomorrow. I won't be able to help because I have another project to complete.

Tough Kids: Part 4

This arrived from Mike Schooling. Used with permission:

Schooling, Mike wrote:

So, how were the last 38 hours for you? Been interesting, huh?

Tuesday, May 29

6:30pm – I arrive at the Matthews Bldg to help unload the bikes to find Marc Delametter with a downcast look on his face … “Mike, the bikes have been stolen.” Much discussion, gnashing of teeth, etc., etc.

7:30pm – Back at the office composing an email to this distribution to say, “Hold what’ya got …”

9:00pm – Watch the news on Fox 23 to see their report on the theft.

Wednesday, May 31

7:45am – Begin flurry of emails related to “what now?” Respond to emails from many of you related to “what now?” Ponder to myself, “what now?”

9:10am – Suggest to Tulsa Tough committee getting the word out to bike groups to keep an eye out for the bikes (6 emails in about 20 minutes).

12:45pm – Get League of American Bicyclists onboard to help get the word out. Prepare contact list for other cycling organizations and clubs to notify.

2:30pm – On the phone with Ren Barger at Lee’s helping with plans to get folks together to get loaner bikes in shape for use Sunday. Will involve evenings at Lee’s, folks to deliver bikes early Sunday morning to Riverside, yadda, yadda …

2:45pm – Hang up the phone with Ren, check email and find message from Malcolm, the bikes have been found! Another flurry of emails ensues …

3:32pm – Send email to this distribution, “The Build is On.”

4:50pm – Leave work, pick up remaining supplies needed for build, change clothes, head for the Matthews Building.

7:??pm – Arrive at Matthews Bldg, start to unload, engage folks to assist as they begin to arrive. Excitement and the crowd build steadily.

8:00pm – Malcolm addresses the assembled group. Truck driver has been in contact and should arrive at 8:30pm.

8:30pm – Malcolm gets call from truck driver; he’s exiting 244 on Cincinnati! The excitement builds as all watch the truck come down the street and maneuver into the Matthews Bldg loading dock.

8:50pm – Container doors are opened and we see the bike boxes for the first time.

9:00pm – All is ready, paperwork needs determined, “counters” stationed at the container doors to inventory boxes as they’re removed from the truck, and the first box is taken out of the truck, opened, and the very first unassembled bike is handed to the first assembly team to begin work.

The next 15 minutes are a blur of activity as the container is unloaded and assembly teams, from 20 to 24 teams at different times during the evening, begin unboxing bikes, mounting them in repair stands, and putting them together.

The container is emptied and the truck driver is out the door and on his way back to Dallas … so long … while bike assembly magic is performed by the cadre of cyclists, spouses, kids, and friends fluctuating throughout the evening from over 50 to near 70 at the end of the evening.

I see a cyclist ride in off the street, all spokes and spandex, and he joins in. Everyone is sweating and smiling as one bike after another is completed, passed to the “Pros” from Lee’s and Tom’s for a last check, then ridden off the assembly floor to the lower level where Kathy patiently stacks the bikes in size specific rows; small, medium, large.

As the assembly teams hit their stride five to seven volunteers are kept busy removing empty boxes and related trash from the assembly floor to an area where they’re stacked for recycling. They also deliver fresh bikes in boxes to the assembly teams and distribute water, Gatorade, and snacks to those willing to take a break in the assembly efforts. Everyone is soaked with sweat, but still smiling.

I make an attempt to track progress on a half-hourly basis and post the information on a tally board for all to see (and later marvel at) as first 52 bikes are complete or near completion at 9:35pm, then at 10pm the completed total jumps to the mid-70’s until at 10:30pm we have 175 fully assembled and neatly stacked custom Schwinn bicycles in the lower level of the Matthews Bldg … awesome!

11:16pm – The last fully assembled bike is rolled down the ramp to take it’s place among the other 295 already completed … 296 brand new custom Schwinn bicycles ready and waiting for eager teens to pick up on Saturday and ride leading tour participants on Sunday morning. 296 of what had been a container of 306 before the theft … only 10 bikes were taken!

11:20pm – Group photo taken with abundant smiling, back slapping, high-fiving, hugging, and general euphoria ensues. Folks gather their tools, repair stands, and assorted paraphernalia as they depart, sweat-soaked and smiling.

11:45pm – The Matthews building is EMPTY again, floor clean, all equipment removed, my van’s loaded and I pull away from the building headed for home. Stop at WhatABurger on Peoria for a chocolate shake … ummmmm!!! Only thing I’ve had since lunch other than one piece of pizza grabbed mid-mayhem.

11:55pm – Home, share brief recap with awakened wife (today is our 32^nd anniversary!), take a relaxing shower, crawl into bed clean, relaxed, ready for the sleep of the righteous … glance at the alarm clock … 12:32pm.

Not a bad day!!!

To all of you who participated or supported our efforts in spirit, thank you for coming together in a spirit of cooperation and caring. We all did a wonderful thing; can’t wait to see the picture of the new bikes, young riders in the saddle, leading the tour down Riverside on Sunday morning (won’t be able to watch in person; I’ll be out on the route coordinating mechanical support with another group of wonderful volunteers, Team Wrench!). Hope you all had a big grin on your faces this morning when you looked in the mirror … I sure did.

Okay, a little administrivia …

Unbelievably, we only had one item in the “lost and found” category when the dust settled on an empty Matthews Building. Someone got away without their Topeak Joe Blow tire pump. You can pick it up at the Matthews Bldg on Saturday while you’re down watching the races! If anyone else lost or found something, let me know and we’ll try to get folks reconnected with their tools and whatever else may have been misplaced. If one pump is all that was mislaid, that’s almost as much a miracle as the assembly efforts themselves!

Finally, the barely-controlled anarchy that enabled this effort to take place last night found me not getting an accurate list of participants. That said, take a look at the list of volunteers below, and if you or someone you know isn’t listed, PLEASE let me know and provide me contact info for them as well. I don’t want anyone to be left out. I’m also including Malcolm’s earlier tally of interesting “factoids” from the effort. And I want to be sure to note that at least one other group was represented last night but not part of Malcolm’s list; the Tulsa Area Triathletes. If there were members of other groups, let me know – we will leave no individual or group unrecognized! The assembly group was an amalgamation of just about every group of cycling-interested folks in the Tulsa Area … almost makes me tear up!

Okay … run the credits !!!!!!!! Roll’em

OPERATION BUILD-A-BIKE BY THE NUMBERS … factoids …

Container in Mathews building at 9:00 p.m.

Bikes completed at 11:21 p.m.

Total volunteers present: 70+ at the peak

American Airlines MS150 Cyclists and Friends: Appx. 25

Television Stations Present: 4

Newspapers present: 1

Bikes completed: 296

Avg. production of assembly line: One bike every 26.5 seconds

Person-hours of labor: 150+

Bike Shops represented: Lee's/Trek, Tom's Bicycles

Clubs Represented: Tulsa Wheelmen, Tulsa Bicycle Club, Sound Pony, Mercy Cycling, Team Power Train, Bicycles of Tulsa, Tulsa Area Triathletes, American Airlines cyclists and friends!

PARTICIPANTS (the ones I know of … help me assemble a complete list by emailing me the names and contact info of those I missed … don’t want to leave anyone out!!! I’ve only got 57 names here and I’m sure there were many more.):

Atencio, Manuel

Ball, Allen

Biggs, Hal

Biggs, Kathy

Boes, Mark

Boes, Mrs

Brown, Tom

Bulmer, Michael

Burke, Tom

Burton, Greg

Carrigg, Tim

Christian, Phillip

Clausen, Christopher

Clement, James

Crouch, Rick

Cummins, Kary

Delametter, Beth

Delametter, Marc

Dodson, Mike

Doering, Tim

Douglas, Darrel

Douglas, Deon

Doyle, Tom

Doyle, Debi

Fairless, Carolyn

Fairless, Carter

Freisen, Duane

Hall, Richard

Harwood, Karen

Hiren, Pat

Hirrill, John

Hoefer, Dave

Huizenga, Robert

Maldonado, Francisco

Mark, Wayne

McCarter, Aaron

McClure, Chuck

McCollam, Malcolm

Meinen, Darrel

Mulready, Glen

Noteboom, Tim

Painter, Jim

Peek, Jim

Prosser, Susan

Rittler, Daniel

Ryan, Jim

Sanders, Mark

Schooling, Mike

Stauner, Phillip

Troyer, Dennis

Wagner, Ed

Waldron, Doug

Wallbank, Tom

Wei-Haas, Lisa

Wilkinson, David

Vanderburg, Adam

Zenthoefer, Chris

Tough Kids: Part 3

Here's Malcolm McCollam's shot of the bikes and volunteers. It's better than mine. I like the flash reflected off the bikes, and the color of the frames shows up much better. Obviously, I was standing just to his left as this was taken. Be sure to see his list of statistics at the end of this post.

If you've wondered what 300 assembled bicycles look like, along with a gang of tired volunteers, well, here's your chance to see it. We assembled the bikes in under 3 hours. I lost count of how many went through my hands. Tom Brown of Tom's Bicycles asked me to join the group doing final inspection. I said, "I get to play with the varsity! Wow!" It feels good to know that someone trusts the quality of my work.

Also, Adam Vanderburg, owner of Lee's Bicycles, asked that I come back tonight to go over the bikes once again. He said they tend to develop flat tires after being up at pressure for a few hours, so we'll inspect them for flats or any other problems tonight. I'm hoping my tired old legs hold out. they were definitely not happy about getting up this morning.

One other thing - the Tough Kids bikes have a different color scheme from the Little 100 bikes in previous posts. These are mainly a dove gray with the Tulsa Tough decals. I'll get better photos tonight with the 'big' camera. These were shot with my Razr cell phone.




Malcolm McCollam (right) was the face of this event for the local media. He didn't pull it off alone, of course, but his is the best photo I have of any of the volunteers. It was a fast-paced evening and while I did shoot a lot, the low light in the warehouse produced some badly exposed photos. We had a generator powering lights inside the structure. It was still dark and gloomy.

Malcolm addresses the troops just prior to the truck's arrival.

When the truck pulled in, cheers erupted. After the driver maneuvered it to the loading dock - a feat in itself - we formed a conga line to grab bike boxes and drag them near the assembly area. Small groups assembled the bikes by attaching the handlebars, front wheel, pedals, and saddle. After assembly, they went to inspection. The 'QA' group was composed of professional wrenches (and one...ahem...talented amateur) who went over the bikes to see that everything was working properly, all fasteners were snug, and that the bike was safe to ride.

There were some minor problems. Coaster brake retaining screws were loose or missing. Some of the bikes arrived with front reflector brackets that were too small for the handlebars. And some of the assemblers could have done better work, but all in all, it went well.

As I finished an inspection, I'd check the tire pressure, then ride the bike down a ramp to the bike corral where they were sorted by size. This was "Ed's Vertical Crush Test". I could hear spokes ping as the settled into the rim, and riding down the ramp was a good means of testing the coaster brake. Yes, they do come in 3 sizes. Most are small or medium, with only a few large frames. Again, I'll get some better photos tonight.

I'm aching and sore this morning. Coffee and ibuprofen seem to be in order. Also, I've taken vacation days for today and tomorrow. While wrenching 300 bikes wasn't exactly relaxing, it certainly was fun!

(Just after I posted this, the following e-mail arrived from Malcolm)

The last 48 hours have been a roller coaster of emotions for me and the rest of the Event Committee. I still don't know if what I witnessed last night has sunk in. Your commitment, energy and giving spirit lit up the Mathews Warehouse every bit as much as the generator-powered floodlights Marc brought in for the bike build. To say I am proud and humbled to be a part of this endeavor would be the understatement of the year. As the event unfolds this weekend - and especially as those kids take to the start line Sunday morning at 7 a.m. - please know that each and every one of you are appreciated and a critical link in the Tulsa Tough drive train.

OPERATION BUILD-A-BIKE BY THE NUMBERS

Container in Mathews building at 9:00 p.m.

Bikes completed at 11:21 p.m.

Total volunteers present: 70+

American Airlines mechanics: Appx. 25

Television Stations Present: 4

Newspapers present: 1

Bikes completed: 296

Avg. production of assembly line: One bike every 29 seconds

Bike Shops represented: Lee's/Trek, Tom's Rivertrail

Clubs Represented: Tulsa Wheelmen, Tulsa Bicycle Club, Sound Pony, Mercy Cycling, Team Power Train, Bicycles of Tulsa

Breaking News...

4PM CDT

The 300 bicycles stolen on a container over the weekend have been recovered by Dallas police. Just moments ago, I received an email confirmation that they've left Dallas and should be in Tulsa around 830PM. Some bikes may be missing from the shipment, but we won't know until they're off-loaded and counted.

This is wonderful news.

I must have had a dozen people inquire at work about these bikes and our effort to get them under area kids. I'm greatly relieved that we'll be able to carry on with the event.

Also, my mother-in-law put our predicament out on her prayer chain through her church in Pennsylvania. My deepest thanks to her and all those who prayed that these bicycles would be found.

Tough Kids: Part Two

We did the final Tough Kids class on Saturday. Originally it was scheduled for the West Bank parking lot, but since the weather wasn't cooperating, we moved everything over to Owen Park on the other side of downtown. Believe me, it was a scramble to get it all done. Owen Park offered the advantage of a gymnasium for shelter if the weather deteriorated. As it turned out, we didn't need it. Light rain came down once or twice, but it lasted only a few seconds.

We had more kids signed up for this session, too. I think the count was supposed to be 74, but I don't know how many didn't show up. Regardless, we were short of loaner bicycles. Some of the kids had to take turns riding them.

One other restriction was apparent right away. The parking lots are much smaller than the West Bank lot. We had to take turns using the parking lots too. This worked out OK, as our group did a lecture while the other did practice drills. Kids being kids, some were obviously not thrilled with sitting through a lecture. They get lots of that in school, as one of the boys delighted in pointing out.

Michael Schooling and I took our group outside to a big patio. We covered the ABC Quick Check several times as new arrivals joined the group. After the third time, I said, “I'm tired of teaching this! Paige, you come up here and teach it.” Paige is about 12 with red hair and freckles. She was a little bit shy, but joined in with a huge grin on her face.

Like I said, some weren't happy about sitting through a lecture, but Mike and I tried to keep it fast paced and interesting. We covered starting and stopping, lane position, mid-block ride outs, and sidewalk riding – most of the actions that get kids into conflict with pedestrians and motor vehicles. We described the drills they'd be performing and discussed the reasons for them.

One mother joined us and asked some good questions. She wanted to know why skidding a tire caused longer stopping distances, for instance, something a kid would never think to ask. This is one of the differences between teaching children as opposed to teaching adults. In many cases, the kids will simply accept it as fact. Adults want to know why. When it comes to doing the drills, kids usually see them as a challenge, particularly the instant turn. Adults can be much more hesitant to try it.

After a short break for snacks, we were off to the parking lot for drills. The kids did the serpentine, a rock dodge, braking, and instant turns in a small parking lot. Mike and I set up two drill areas. As the kids exited one, they simply turned and joined the line for the next one, forming a quickly moving circle of riders. When the pace is fast, the kids don't get a chance to be bored. I worked with one of the lines doing the look back drill. Maybe the other instructors let me do this one because I'm so loud. Regardless, I was a bit hoarse afterward.

After the parking lot maneuvers, Gary Parker led the group on a brief road ride, a simple loop around the park. One kid dropped out with saddle problems. I fixed it for him, but by then the group was far ahead. We rolled back to the starting point and waited as they came around on their second lap. I didn't join in as they went by, though, because I was running short of time. My son had to be at work at 3PM, and I'd agreed to drive him there. I'm still the family chauffeur, after all.

So, what was learned from this latest event? First, always have a back-up plan in case of bad weather. Sandra covered that admirably. Second, keep down time to a minimum. Keep the kids moving and actively involved in the instruction. While I think we can improve on this, I believe we improvised very well given the change of venue and the larger number of kids.

I'll end this by saying we all owe a great thank you to the volunteers who gave up their own time for this event. We could not have done it without a big group of committed cyclists.

Tough Kids: Part One

We had our first Tough Kids class yesterday, a preparatory event for the Tulsa Tough weekend. Malcolm McCollam received 300 donated bicycles for the Little 100, and he needed only 200. We had 100 bicycles give away to area kids who attend both the Tough Kids class and the kick-off for the Tulsa Tough on June 2^nd.

The class was scheduled from 10AM to 2PM. Instructors and volunteers were there earlier to set up some tents for registration and the mechanics. We were lucky to have about 10 instructors and volunteers, so the day really went smoothly. Kids and parents started trickling in at 9, and we were underway just after 10. We had a full class of 50.

We did the usual parking lot drills: learning to scan for overtaking traffic, the rock dodge, quick stops, and quick turns. The quick stops were difficult for some of the kids on coaster brake equipped bikes. I rode one of the Schwinn Little 500 bikes around the parking lot, and frankly, I'm not comfortable with coaster brakes, either. The bikes handle like any other road bike, not a track bike, though they strongly resemble one. Perhaps I have fixed gears so firmly ingrained in my bicycling consciousness that a coaster brake is just too foreign. The very idea of back pedaling just seemed wrong somehow.

Allow me to belabor the obvious. Teaching kids is much different from teaching adults. First, the kids regarded the parking lot drills almost as a challenge. They were eager to try them. Adults are put off by the quick turn in particular. They're hesitant to make the attempt since they 'know' counter steering is somehow dangerous. So in teaching adults, we have to get past what they already 'know' in order to do this drill. Also, kids don't need a wealth of explanation. Providing too much detail only confuses them. Jordan said, “Yeah, and it's boring!” They like it short and sweet. On the other hand, it's much harder to keep a group of kids focused on the lesson. Gary Parker, a retired teacher, said, “Welcome to middle school, Ed!”

I told my group that the important part of the instruction was to learn some new skills and to have fun doing it. The kids seemed to enjoy it because it was fast paced. No one had a chance to stand around for long and get bored, except for a couple of teenagers. Then again, when it's painfully obvious that they'd rather be anywhere else but in a parking lot on a Saturday morning with a bunch of totally un-cool bike geeks, well, the carefully studied appearance of crushing boredom is entirely understandable.

Several parents asked about bicycling events in the area, especially events for their kids. Brian and I talked with some about the various tours. There was one teenager asking about racing opportunities. I told him about the Tuesday evening criteriums. It would be helpful to have some handout information on area tours and races for these requests. Those teens are the next crop of cyclists.

We need to add to the instruction for the next event. We need to emphasize the dangers of sidewalk riding because some of the kids rode away from the event on the sidewalk. We need to explain lane use before going on a group ride. I had one boy who swerved from the curb all the way across the centerline, regardless of traffic. I, um, admonished him loudly, and told his Mom about it after the class. “Good!” she said, “Sometimes that the only way to get his attention.” Besides the name tags on the front of their shirts, it would be good to have a piece of masking tape with their names attached to the back of their saddles too.

I learned some new things, as is almost always the case. I saw some kids beaming from the praise they received. It's exciting to see them develop physical skills, and watch as they improve on each attempt.

And I learned from Ren that 'dude' is a non-gender-specific term. Personally, I would not be comfortable calling a female-type-person 'dude' so perhaps that's an indication that I'm out of touch, over the hill, or otherwise middle-aged. Of course, she could be pulling my leg. How would I know?