For those unaware, an impressive charity event was staged by one of our own long-time forum members, Flountown, and his buddy. They rode a tandem bicycle from the Spectrum to Boston's Fenway Park in frigid cold, ice and snow road conditions to attend the Winter Classic... even though they are not avid cyclists, and had never before rode a tandem. Riding hundreds of miles when you are not used to long distance cycling, and doing so in bad conditions on a self propelled vehicle that is new to you is to me most remarkable.
Top that off by doing it all for a selfless charity and you have a great tale of human nature, IMO.
There is a gentleman I know named Michael Gaughan who produces and films shorts for Bike TV that syndicates out of NYC to various cable markets... He is an award winner and has had his films presented in various film festivals around the World. I contacted Mike with this story since he is both a bicycle enthusiast and a Philly sports fan who was born and raised in the area... He was eager to get the story on film. I was elated I could be the go-between and passed on the contact numbers... and was so glad I did when I viewed the finished product.
A copy of it has just recently been placed on YouTube... so now everyone can see the story. The charity information is at the end... and they are still in great need of support.
I understand that this is not the type thread that gets much conversation and postings... and therefore falls off the first page fairly quickly if not bumped up... For all those who haven't seen it and would miss it if it does get buried, I am again bumping it up.
This is great! I didn't hear anything about this til now. There is no way I could do this. I would have given up half way down broad street. Great job guys!
This is great! I didn't hear anything about this til now. There is no way I could do this. I would have given up half way down broad street. Great job guys!
agreed. i would have considered riding a bike to a bus stop or train station.
It was a trying adventure for sure, but once you got going, it was just mind numbing repetition of pedaling. I am glad we did it, but doubt we will be doing it again, unless the Flyers had a very favorable distance to their next Winter Classic.
It was a trying adventure for sure, but once you got going, it was just mind numbing repetition of pedaling. I am glad we did it, but doubt we will be doing it again, unless the Flyers had a very favorable distance to their next Winter Classic.
Well, if that idea of Pittsburgh v. Philly at Beaver Stadium ever gets off the ground, that could pique ones interest. Of course since the Flyers played last year and this is Pittsburgh's 2nd in 4 years it might be some time 'til that's available in the WC rotation. Also the distance may be shorter than to the Boston area, but the hills
Well, if that idea of Pittsburgh v. Philly at Beaver Stadium ever gets off the ground, that could pique ones interest. Of course since the Flyers played last year and this is Pittsburgh's 2nd in 4 years it might be some time 'til that's available in the WC rotation. Also the distance may be shorter than to the Boston area, but the hills
Connecticut prepared us for hills, I swear that state never went down.
Well, if that idea of Pittsburgh v. Philly at Beaver Stadium ever gets off the ground, that could pique ones interest. Of course since the Flyers played last year and this is Pittsburgh's 2nd in 4 years it might be some time 'til that's available in the WC rotation. Also the distance may be shorter than to the Boston area, but the hills
I understand that the forecast for New Years in Philly is 50 degrees and rain... If that were to happen, I fear that the chances for a WC in this city is next to zero; nothing kills an outdoor hockey game like rain... no matter how hard the ice machine works below the rink. And it doesn't bode well for ratings either I guess.
I understand that the forecast for New Years in Philly is 50 degrees and rain... If that were to happen, I fear that the chances for a WC in this city is next to zero; nothing kills an outdoor hockey game like rain... no matter how hard the ice machine works below the rink. And it doesn't bode well for ratings either I guess.
I think there have already been reports that the probability of non-snow precipitation on New Years in Philadelphia is too risky to host a WC.
It's not just Philadelphia. The forecast for Pittsburgh is the same for this New Years Day: ~50 degrees and a possibility of rain. Horrible weather for a WC. We'll have to see how it turns out.
I understand that the forecast for New Years in Philly is 50 degrees and rain... If that were to happen, I fear that the chances for a WC in this city is next to zero; nothing kills an outdoor hockey game like rain... no matter how hard the ice machine works below the rink. And it doesn't bode well for ratings either I guess.
Yeah, well, Beaver Stadium ain't in Philly, it's in State College. And it's always much colder and more snow way the hell up there. It's much different in the mountains of PA than it is at sea level in Philly.
If the Flyers ever play the Pens at Beaver Stadium, I'll join anyone riding a bike up there for charity. I haven't ridden a bike in 20 years.
Yeah, well, Beaver Stadium ain't in Philly, it's in State College. And it's always much colder and more snow way the hell up there. It's much different in the mountains of PA than it is at sea level in Philly. R
If the Flyers ever play the Pens at Beaver Stadium, I'll join anyone riding a bike up there for charity. I haven't ridden a bike in 20 years.
I realize that... I was just commenting on our chances in Philly... I would love for us to host one... but as Flountown posted, that has pretty much been ruled out.
It's not just Philadelphia. The forecast for Pittsburgh is the same for this New Years Day: ~50 degrees and a possibility of rain. Horrible weather for a WC. We'll have to see how it turns out.
Related Kevin Allen USAToday ReTweet from Eklund :
interesting. RT @kausatoday: NHL says that if it's pouring Saturday afternoon, networks say the Winter Classic could go as late as 8 p.m.
Please excuse me but I wanna keep this bumped up near the top so maybe more people will see it... For the charity as well as for our local heroes and filmmaker.
