Every Day Adventurers

Rod Bryan, former 2006 independent candidate for Governor of Arkansas, shared with us his past efforts trying to shift our car-centric lifestyles using his Xtracycle, and his current work as Housing Coordinator for Our House, a non-profit shelter for homeless individuals and families in Little Rock.

In his run for Governor, Rod’s first proposed initiative was aimed at “[improving] quality of life for Arkansans by making it easier to travel in communities and across the state by bicycle.” His concrete goals included increasing daily use of bicycles by citizens & state employees; improving cycling infrastructure and increasing bicycle use and maintenance education. It’s refreshing and empowering to see someone close their music record shop, take work at a bakery, and devote their time, money and energy to help improve the livelihoods of their fellow citizens.

Now, as housing coordinator for Our House, Rod sees the effects of our car-culture on the individuals and families he serves. Living by example, Rod rides his Xtracycle to work and encourages people “to try and find employment within a biking radius from their homes.”

“Daily, shelter residents look at my bicycle with oohs and ahhs. I have a vision to introduce them to riding Xtracyles while they are staying at the shelter and encourage them to save money to buy their own upon leaving. I also envision residents learning bike mechanics as part of our job training and as a way to sustain their own transportation and independence.

If it weren’t for the money in my campaign, I don’t know if I ever would have gotten an Xtracycle. I know that many of the people in our shelter see bicycles other than second-hand or from Wal-Mart as extravagances. I truly believe that if we introduce our residents to Xtracycles and the many things that Xtracycle makes possible it will truly open them to another world. “

Rod is accepting donations through Our House to help individuals ease the cost burden of owning a cargo bicycle for use as their daily transportation tool. If you can offer financial support, or want to donate your FreeRadical after upgrading to a Radish or Big Dummy, you can contact Rod at rod{at}ourhouseshelter{dot}com.

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Hello friends and fellow longtailers. We’re looking forward to Supermarket Street Sweep this December 5th, at high noon, and want to get a Team of Xtracycle riders together. While you can bust your ass compete for speed and cargo hauled, we had a blast just collecting food for San Francisco area Food Banks and goofing off on our bicycles.

That being said, we do have a goal, as Team Xtracycle the Haul-aholics, to haul 1 TON of food for the cause. Obviously, we want more than 10 Xtracyclers to participate (10 riders x 200lbs = 2,000lbs hauled, the more we have riding with us the more energy we’ll have to party after wards), so pass along the word and come out for this fun charity event.

Here are some photos here and here from last year’s ride, complete with Gary Fisher cameos.

UPDATE Would be nice to actually have something to act on, no? So, those wanting to go grocery store stampeding with the Haul-aholics for Supermarket Street Sweep can email rick[at]xtracycle[dot]com . But the gist is, meet up at Cupid’s Span in San Francisco (hop off BART at Embarcadero, ride toward the piers and make a right). You’ll see a large bow and arrow sculpture. Thinking a good meet-up time is around 11AM. Last year they ran out of the entry gift, so arrive early if you’re into those sorts of things.

We’ll encounter some hills, nothing too killer if I recall correctly, but get your stretch on. The organizers recommend bringing $15-30 to purchase the food items (to reach our goal this number may need to increase a tad), but you can always buy more to donate. Looking forward to it!

UPDATE

Team Haul-aholic Sign-up Form

Welcome Bay Area Xtracyclers! We’re gearing up to participate (for fun only since we’re sponsoring the event and can’t win anything) in the SF Alleycat Supermarket Street Sweep 2009, December 5th @ high noon! It’s a fun event for charity where we cyclists pedal around to various markets in SF and buy items designated on the race list.

We want to get a team of Xtracyclists who want to pedal at a reasonable pace and haul, collectively, 1 ton of food. So, brushing off the math synapsis, that’s 200 lbs x 10 riders, or 100 lbs x 20 riders. Expect to spend ~$20-40 on food for the event. The race costs nothing to enter, so keep your hemmin’ and hawin’ to a minimum, this is about HAULIN’! So, join the Haul-aholics and have a blast supporting those in need this holiday season. Ride on!

PS We’ll let other, short bikes, come play with us so invite your amigos, sig-others and such to help-a-haul!

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Watch this video from a Big Dummy owner with a nice load. Wide loaders, rack with panniers on the fork, and Titec H-Bars. I can’t tell what kind of drive train he has (internal hub or traditional derailleur system). Also, we have put the Big Dummy framesets on sale when combined with the LongLoader Kit or the Adventure Kit. Save more than $100 by purchasing a Big Dummy Frameset along with a LongTail Kit or Adventure Kit!  Offer expires 10/31/08.

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Ross Evans, Xtracycle’s co-Founder, has produced a new flick entitled “Transportational Bodywork” using the Big Dummy to become a mobile masseuse!

You can view the video below or click here to view at youtube’s website

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