Tour de Moose

We Ride Because They Can’t

Hello again, fellow Tour de Moosers.  It’s that time of year again; time to laugh with your friends, feel the wind in your hair, have some delicious beverages, and celebrate the 1^st anniversary of Moose’s 40^th birthday.

By now, you probably are familiar with these sweet faces.  If you need to refresh your memory, take a few minutes to read these posts from 2009 and 2010. Three years ago, Matthew and Andrew Akin were the inspiration behind the first charitable portion of the Tour.  In 2009, over 35 selfless Tour de Moose participants donated cheek swabs in order to be added as potential donors to the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) AND raised over $400 to help defray the cost of joining the NMDP for other individuals.  In 2010, over $1200 was raised and donated to The Matthew and Andrew Akin Foundation.  What are we capable of raising in 2011?

In 2011, we welcome two new participants to the TDM.  The Tour is honored to be hosting Kristin and Justin Akin; parents of Matthew and Andrew and founders of The Matthew and Andrew Akin Foundation.  Kristin and Justin have been working tirelessly the past year to raise money for the Foundation and bring awareness to the disease that ultimately took the lives of both their sons. 

In February, Kristin and Justin hosted the 1^st Annual Trivia Night and Silent Auction for the Foundation.  400 people gathered to raise money for the Akins and have fun with friends.  In May, Justin undertook a feat that I’m sure would interest many of you bicycle enthusiasts.  Justin embarked on a 15 day, 1500 mile bike ride (and you thought 20 miles was hard!) from Amarillo, Texas to Chicago, Illinois ending on what would have been Andrew’s 4^th birthday.  On Justin’s 3^rd day, 85 miles into the 86 mile leg, Justin has a terrible crash going 30 mph.  The crash certainly was worthy of a Tour de Moose “Crash and Burn” Award.  Justin suffered a broken shoulder, severe road rash, and numerous gashes and soft tissue injuries. Justin's ride may have ended earlier than expected but with a father's dedicated heart, he has vowed to complete the ride for his sons in the very near future.

In September, Kristin and Justin made the journey to Yosemite State Park for their 3rd Hike for a Cure.  The summit of Half Dome is a very strenuous 18-mile round trip hike. It typically takes 10 to 14 hours to complete. Yosemite Valley is at 4000 feet, and the top of Half Dome is at 8800 feet, for a gain of 4800 feet.  As you can see, they have been hard at work raising money in memory of their sons.  Can we help them?  You bet your sweet (sweaty!) asses, we can! 

2011 brings a few changes to the charity portion of the Tour.  Because you all have been so kind and generous contributors to the Foundation, Moose has added a little incentive for you to donate.  The winner of the “Mooseheart Award” (the biggest financial contributor to the Foundation) will receive their own table of 8 to the 2^nd Annual Matthew and Andrew Akin Foundation Trivia Night and Silent Auction.  Michelle Aldridge has won this award for the past two years!  Thanks, Michelle (and can anyone top her?)  Also, for every dollar you donate, you will be entered into two raffles.  Donate money and win exciting prizes such as fine wine, tequila, and vodka, restaurant gift certificates and more!

At the 2011 TDM, as you are enjoying a lovely bike ride with friends, please remember the two little boys who continue to inspire us to live better, love more, and be kinder to each other. 

Matthew and Andrew, we will ride because you can’t.

Use Your Head - Just Not Like This

There is no getting around it - helmets are manditory for the Tour de Moose. Every year we have folks who crash into the ground, other riders and cars. And while you may crash, we want you to have the best chance to walk away, brains intact, and hey you may even win an award for biting it.

Here are some real world examples of bike vs object / earth / person / car contact to bring the point home.

Seriously, helmets are cheap and will protect your noggin. If you plan on riding in this years race - plan on investing in some head gear.

Great Moments In Tour de Moose History for October 7th, 2009

A Challenge - Contributed by Karen Jacobsmeyer

Did you feel brave during last years Tour when you faced a car (or was it a truck?) head on?  Or how about that little bit of courage (no, not liquid courage) when you decided to run the yellow light to catch up with the rest of your friends?  Maybe it was strength you were feeling as you pedaled up the hill from Three Monkeys to Stella Blues?  I’ll bet the best feeling of the day was as you pulled into Lemmons parking lot at the end of the road…ahhhh, triumph.  And then you celebrated your small victory with a nice cold beer.  That was a great moment, wasn’t it?

Let me tell you about two little boys who will make you look at bravery, courage and strength in a whole different light.  And then let me challenge you to turn your 2009 Tour de Moose triumph into their small victory.  Because you know what feels better than finishing a Tour de Moose?  Finishing a Tour de Moose AND helping save lives at the same time. 

Meet Andrew and Matthew Akin (cute, aren’t they?).  Andrew was born in 2007 and diagnosed at 10 weeks old with a rare, life-threatening immune deficieny called HLH or Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.  The only cure is a bone marrow transplant.  After undergoing a stem cell transplant and a bone marrow transplant in St. Louis, both which failed to engraft, Andrew’s parents took him to Cincinnati to be under the care of the world’s expert in his disease. Thanks to the gift of yet another anonymous marrow donor, Andrew received his third potentially life-saving transplant.  These transplants gave Andrew 2 years and 3 months with his Mom, Dad, and Brother before he passed away on September 5th, 2009.  

While being treated in Cincinnati, it was found that Andrew’s HLH was caused by a rare genetic mutation (XLP-2) that his brother Matthew also was found to have.  The Akin Family then had to make the heart-wrenching decision to put Matthew through a bone marrow transplant to save his life.  Matthew is currently waiting for his new bone marrow to engraft and fighting for his life. 

You can read more about the Akin's journey at their personal blog - registration is required for privacy reasons.

At the start of the 2009 Tour de Moose, representatives from the Be the Match Registry (formerly known as the National Marrow Registry Drive) will be on hand to register potential donors swabs to the national registry. Please take a moment and review the instructions for registering before the race.  A simple cheek swab will be taken from potential donors.  In the future, should you potentially match a recipient, you will be contacted by the Registry for further testing.

Please, strongly consider joining the national registry.  It is free of charge and you may one day save the life of a child, a son, a daughter.  You may give someone back their mother, their father, their brother.  Could there be a greater victory in your life than saving a life?

To thank you for your kindness, Moose has established a NEW 2009 Tour de Moose Award.  Introducing…the Mooseheart.  The winner will be the participant with the most charity chips at the end of the day.  Chips can be won by donating money at any stop along the tour route to Moose’s Angels.  All money raised will be donated back to the Marrow Registry.

Make 2009 a Great Moment.

In Memory of Andrew.
In Honor of Matthew.
In Support of the Akins.

STL Wins 2008 All-America City Award

The St. Louis region, represented by a diverse contingent of 20 citizens and leaders, won the 2008 All-America City Award, presented by the National Civic League in Tampa. St. Louis was the only "region" to make the finalist group from among the nominees, and is only metro region in the nation to be designated an All-America City.

Now in its 59th year, the award is considered the 'Oscar' of community recognition for civic progress and improvement. It is the oldest and most prestigious civic recognition in the nation. This is the first time since 1956 that St. Louis has been recognized as an All American City.

The region celebrated the All-America City award at the grand opening of the McKinley Bridge Bikeway and Trestle at Branch Street. The bikeway is the latest addition to The River Ring -- a unique, 600-mile web of 45 biking trails and greenways that will encircle and connect the St. Louis region. The River Ring played a key role in the region's winning nomination for the All-America City Award.

In Other Biking News:

• Woman sets out on cross country bike ride to aid Habitat for Humanity

St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation

Members of the St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation set up shop at the Tower Grove Farmers Market over the past weekend to help inform the public about their group and their chartered goals, "to make the St. Louis region more friendly, safe, and accessible to people on bicycles through educational outreach, advocacy, and improved facilities" 

The Tour staff is all for the valuable service they are providing to our community. Some of us even joined the group and can attest that becoming a member is indeed, painless.

They are currently looking for members to join their group. Membership for 1 year includes discounts at over 20 area bike shops (great for that new helmet), free admission to the Annual Bicycle Swap Meeting and Classic Bike Show and 4 issues of The Cue Sheet.

     

The Federation also annouced the winner of their bike rack competition, Justin Gerard of St. Louis. The judges selected Justin's design from among 40 design submissions received in late spring.

Justin's design, pictured above in two versions, is reminiscent of the St. Louis Arch and incorporates a medallion that can carry a bike image or customized sponsor advertising. In addition to receiving name recognition on all racks produced with his design, Justin will also be able to choose the location for a bike rack to be installed.

The Bike Parking Demonstration Project received $40,000 in federal funding and matching funds of $5,000 from REI. In addition, $5,000 in matching funds will be provided through donations from individuals and from the William A. Kerr Foundation.

Once the design is approved by MoDOT the project will move into the construction phase.

Congratulations and we hope to see a few of these racks on this years tour!