It Pains Me

However, some decisions have to be made and stood by regardless of a twinge of regret. This summer I relocated to Oregon. I had dreams of coming back to put on the event, but it just wasn't practical due to the fact that my travel alone would put me in the hole beyond the total amount raised last year. I sincerely wish I could put the MackyDu on this year, but it just isn't going to happen. Now if someone else would like to do it I would do all in my limited power from 1400 miles away to help. I have some prizes left over gathering dust. The set-up of the event was remarkably easy, the word-spreading is the only stresser. The "will it be worth it" question.

Email me if anyone wishes to do so.

Thanks again for everything that was accomplished through last year's event. I've no doubt we made a difference in a few lives at the very least, and that is reward enough.

take a bow all, this is the result

There's one bike missing from this photo; I took it before delivery was complete, because the BMX bike was in a rush to get to where it needed to go. 6 Schwinn Frontiers and 1 Haro F1C. Helmets were delivered also (donated new by Skunk). Mission accomplished for this the first year. I keep saying that, publicly, to make me accountable for the continuation. A REALLY BIG THANKS TO SKUNK RIVER CYCLES FOR HELPING WITH THIS PROJECT! It would NOT have happened without them. They offered ideas and knowledge early on, provided free labor, gave huge deals on bikes and generally shared the stress! Go in and buy stuff to show your support.

I'll say it again: the MackyDu account will remain open year round. YSS has a need at least once a month for bicycles and I intend to be the contact to find bikes, either used or new, to fill their need. The MackyDu event will continue as a the yearly highlight of FreeCycle (the new moniker for this bike charity). Make donations out to this name if you wish to send them into US Bank as indicated by the below post.

Thanks again!

Thank You

I want to thank the sponsors and all who came out to give this, the first year for the Macky, a good show of support. I didn't have time to prepare as I would have liked, but the event still bore fruit. We have raised a little over $600 through entry fees and non-participant donations, so it has been more than worth it. I will continue to update here as things progress.

I also want to hear feedback about format, registration, date of event or anything else that could be improved or changed for next year. Leave a comment or hit the email link in the sidebar.

I have a few ideas of my own:

1. Teams - Runner/Biker
2. Earlier date (I think we lucked out with the weather, but if this was a non-factor in your decision to participate then I'll keep it a winter event)
3. Distance - should it remain somewhat on the intermediate side or should I push it to be a real painfest?
4. I liked the idea of including a kids event around the park at the same time as the race, though at this point without a lot of extra staff this might be something for the distant future.

I will be leaving the the charity account open year round to continue accepting donations which will be put toward next year's bike buy. If you wish to donate simply include a note indicating that the funds are for donation to the FreeCycle charity, make checks payable to FreeCycle and send to:

US Bank
P.O. Box 828
Ames, IA 50010

Again, thanks. And keep your eyes and ears peeled for the adventure race happening in Ames to benefit the Red Cross.

final thoughts

Food is gathered. Swag is ready to be distributed. Maps are printed. Weather is looking magnificent. Wear clothes, run a bit, ride a bike and run a bit more. Not much more to it for free food and stuff. Now, lets see...how do I go about getting people to come?

Doors open at 9, race starts at around 10 (allowing for stragglers).

bike choice?

Ride whatever you like. However, keep in mind that this will be on gravel, grass and dirt. There will be very little pavement, as paved streets will be off limits, other than what you cross at intersections. Fat tires are good: mountain, cyclo-cross, hybrids, beach cruisers, recumbents (if you dare), tandems (only if your stoker is a stuffed monkey) and, if you enjoy being different to the point that your peers question your sanity and not your humor, you could ride a road bike.

maps update

I posted the actual map in the side bar that I will be printing up and handing out, but without the destination marked of course. I may put a "You are here" to help out. Hint: look for the park and notice a little spur of a road coming from the north into the park - this is the nearest overpass.

I am afraid that the McFarland Map I have linked is as good as it gets for the running sections, so have a good hard look and practice squinting.

distances

I've had a few questions about distances. Each of the running segments should be in the neighborhood of 2miles and the biking segment will be 25-35miles. I may shorten the biking distance if the weather turns Arctic on the day of the event.