OOFD, COVID-19, and the Official Release of Our 2020 Ride Line-UpOOFD and the COVID-19. Not good friends. Not friends at all. Hurting all of us in so many ways that expand well beyond missing the simple joys of riding bikes together outside. We send lots of love and positive vibes out to everyone as we all fight to persevere through this pandemic. We're doing our best to stay optimistic. So we're releasing our 2020 Ride Line-up today. Something to look forward to, and we'll certainly be adjusting on the fly as the rides approach. As an organization, we spend about 6 months each year working towards “the ride season.” Always excited and motivated by that first ride of the year. This year, it was going to be a 25 person jaunt, south down the lakefront as the spring breeze tickled our faces and the green buds of leaves popped out again on those barren branches. Some warm food and cold beers at 18th Street and on for the first night slept outside in 2020 at Camp Shabonna. On April 25. We were gonna be training the newest members of our crew. It was gonna be great. But it is canceled. So is The Good Land ride to Milwaukee in mid-May. CANCELED. That word been messing with me. So. Many. Things. Canceled. And yet, we all know it is for the best. And honestly, I know many of us are excited to get some solo riding in. Explore new routes while keeping a safe distance and clean existence. And that leads me to what COVID-19 means to OOFD as an organization in a more general sense. This will slow us down, but not stop us at all. We had an incredible year last year with so many successful rides including that big one to the Dunes, Sun Harvest to IL Beach, and even the Hootenanny shindig. We brought on a really special crew of volunteers who have made us so much better during this “off-season”. And with the 501c3 last year, we were able to raise enough money to keep us ok through these rough times. And so all in all, we are set up to weather this virus storm. And once it is safe to get together with you all to immerse and educate in our local history and nature, we will be ready to do so. We will ride our bikes more enthusiastically than ever! That said, in the meantime, we will be sharpening our programs and processes. This hiatus gives us more time/head space to really make things even better. So get ready for the best OOFD seasons you've ever seen! As for registrations for this ride season, what the heck, we are going to officially open them now. Just so we can all dream and pour hopeful optimism onto our current situation, using our will to ride to motivate us to stay smart and healthy during this lock-down. SO SIGN-UP FOR A RIDE HERE. If health professionals, the government, the parks tell us it is not safe to do that ride, then we will refund you 100% asap. We are so much hoping to kick off the season with The Battle to the Dunes ride on June 6. We have a whole loop at the Dunewood Campground this time, and it promises to be as epic or even more so than last year! This very well may be wishful thinking. We shall see how our COVID situation is doing at that point. Stay tuned to our facebook, website, and/or our COVID-19 document for updates. Obviously, our in-person monthly hang is not happening this month, but we miss you all! So we are going to have a virtual hang on Tuesday, April 7, from 7-9pm. So let's connect over a virtual beer, and we'll fill you in a bit more on what is in store for this season. Join in here. As always, let us know if you want to get involved as a volunteer here. With all of this time ahead to ride solo or hang around the house, we have all kinds of cool routes, research, and organizational things we can use your help on for sure! Much love, Glenn and the entire OOFD team Something Major This Year: |
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"To immerse , educate, preserve & advance the history, culture, trails and native habitats of the Lower Lake Michigan Basin Area" Trail Series
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