Tour de Togo Online

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Hey guys,

First (ever) FPYC Mountain Bike WeekendSeptember 26-28

I've heard from some of you - some can come / others sending regrets.

Please let me know your ententions!

Here's a link to the Tentative Agenda http://www.fpyc.org/mtb-weekend.html

Some people will make it in later Friday evening, so we're not planning aserved meal then - plan accordingly. Maybe Effie? At this point, bring a little money for Dinner Saturday evening, and a smalldonation for camp. Not sure what our food costs will be like as this is kindof a first try for me planning one of these. ~$25

Don't forget: Helmet, riding garb, glasses, water bottles, etc. Hopefully the bugs will be kaput and the fall colors ubber awesome.

Thanks!

-Kent651-734-0521 (If you have any questions.)

Planned activities:

a.. Rake and Ride - trail building.

b.. Bike the Hike

c.. Tune-ups

d.. Fellowship

e.. Thistledew Trail exploration

TDT 2008 and 2009 Preview

TDT08 – Sweeeeet… and Sour
The tour is over and now camp is over too. As the girls reconnect at Super Nanza this weekend, I’ve decided it’s time to get a little blurb out there about how the tour went this year. Well,… awful and great. So, let’s talk about next year. Ok, ok stay tuned for talk of TdT09.

I say awful as we just didn’t see the massive turnout we’ve coming to expect each year. We fell short of our rider goal and short of last year’s tour size. In fact, you have to go back to the 2000 tour to find a pack so small. We only had four rookies (I’m blaming the rookies here). So we’re really going to have to turn up the volume for next year.

I say great because for a tour so small in riders, only one other tour in our 17 year history has raised more funds for Flaming Pine. Yep, we rolled up over 14 thousand for the camp in total pledges. Even when we calculate in the expenses of putting on the tour, we were blessed with an awesome result. Leading the way were the usual suspects, Allen Keller, Stan Due, Linda Barnacle, and Robert Pappas. Robert brought in over 45 hundred just him. Yikes.

I say awful as we had our first broken bone of the tour, ever. Stan Due shouldered into a ditch and the ditch won - Broken Clavicle, a.k.a. collar bone. This is a painful injury which takes a long time to heal so, no pats on the back or hardy hand shakes for Stan for the time being. Talked to him tonight and he says he’s about 50% back.

I say great because we put on a really quality event with lots of rider goodies and we didn’t break the bank. Only 6% of tour proceeds went toward expenses. Very few charity bicycle events can make that claim. And even with such a slim margin we offered riders a lot of value for their efforts, including a full custom cycling jersey.


We had lots of support of the corporate variety too. Trader Joes gave us hundreds of dollars in bananas, bars, and bottled water. Dunn Brothers sent coffee and cash. PowerBar put their top-notch performance eats and drink in our support vehicles. Panera Bread Co. of Woodbury offered five dozen fresh hot bagels to kick things off. The Deacons of the Woodbury church of Christ bought space on our jersey and put Ephesians 2:10 on our shoulders. Thanks also to Target Greatland of Woodbury for the $25 gift card and Penn Cycle for the pack of 15% off coupons (I still have some).

Our support drivers were really great this year. So great we married one of them off! Dawn Eichers, Bill Barnacle, Joanne Nading, and Crystal Parks (the bride driver) did an outstanding job keeping our bottles filled, our spirits up, and everyone heading in the right direction.

Thanks to all the husbands, wives, and families who let us do this intensely fun event and especially my wife who puts up with my constant musing over each little detail.

Thanks finally and above all to God our Father, who gave us life and breath and wheels.

-Kent


Tour Jerseys Available
There’s still time to help Camp though the 08 tour. We have about a dozen Cycling Jerseys left. We want to turn them into cash for camp, so the entire $40 price goes 100% directly to FPYC. They are good looking and top-shelf bicycling quality with 3 pockets in the back and a ¾ length hidden zipper in the front. Sizes are a bit limited so please drop me an email soon.


2009
Interested in steering the entire tour in a new direction? We’re thinking ahead to next year and that thinking is outside the box. There’s a SURVEY underway which is revealing some interesting ideas on the route for next year. Get a map
and dream with us. You don’t have to be a tour veteran to participate – we want to hear from next year’s rookies too.

Tour De Togo Survey

Hey All,

Have a little fun and dream about a way cool route for the 2009 tour. Take the SURVEY and put your spin on the tour for next year.


Thanks so much!

-Kent

PS: Yes, we still have some Jerseys to sell.

A Heartfelt plea for the Tour De Togo

Hey everyone,
Just over two weeks to go:
a.. We are running way behind where we want to be for riders.
a.. Please re- re- double your efforts to find more Riders.
a.. The feast is ready, go out in the alleys and back-roads and find moreguests!
Thanks so much!

-Kent

Teachers Needed

Brett Osborne is looking for a few more teachers for 2nd Family camp...namely cradle roll, 2's and 3's and 4-6th grade. Please email him at brettduluth@aol.com or call 218-724-5341 if interested. Thanks!

Tour De Togo 2008

Hey everyone,

As we struggle to rid ourselves of snow and ice and all things wintry, it's exciting to start thinking about summer, and when it comes to summer, few things are as exciting as the Tour de Togo Benefit Bicycle Ride.

You should try it this year.

No really, hear me out. This event has a great purpose and is truly doable for most anyone who puts their mind to it. It's no race, just a fun tour with friends. A tour means seeing new things and new places. Besides the scenery, there's seeing for yourself what you can accomplish. We've had very young riders do this distance, and very old as well - both amaze us and remind us how much God can do through us if we'll let Him talk us into it.

The funds we raise for Flaming Pine Youth Camp will be used to teach children about Jesus. The camp is so far away from the big city - it's just the right place to push aside the cares of our modern age and focus on what God has done. Riding to camp while helping the good mission of FPYC is just a side benefit - gravy.

And if that weren't enough, riding for and giving to the camp comes with such additional blessings. Great fellowship, ample food, support, personal challenge, encouragement, even fun and prizes.


Mark July 25, 26, and 27 on your calendars right now!

Online registration has now been opened - CLICK HERE!


An exclusive for TDT2008 - a top-secret full custom Rider's Jersey. Believe me, it looks awesome. If you remember 2004's jersey, I think this one's even better. I am seeking corporate sponsorships so if you have someone in mind, please let me know. In fact, Mark Spoto's Dunn Bros Coffee shop (Woodbury) has signed on as a sponsor. Be sure and thank him and get a great cup of coffee while you're there. I am in talks with other potential sponsors, so stay tuned.

To encourage new riders, the tour will once again offer gifts of appreciation to those who recruit new riders. We had 14 rookies last year - ah the fun we had with Pam and Billy. The tour is always looking for new people to give it a try. We get so many back year after year - it really is the way to grow the tour.

Please, feel free to contact me with questions. I can be even more convincing in person.

-Kent
651-734-0521