We've just announced our 2011 Bicycle Travel Award winners, which include Donn Olson (Dalbo, Minnesota), Kevin Cashman of Apogee Adventures (Brunswick, Maine), Jim Peter and Jim?s Bicycle Shop (Cincinnati, Ohio), and Leslie Wills (Grand Haven, Michigan)."Our awards are an opportunity to recognize some of the amazing people, organizations, and businesses that make a difference for bicycle touring, and cycling in general," said Amy Corbin, awards committee chair. "These folks do so much to make America a better, friendlier, and more connected country."
Donn Olson, recipient of our 2011 June Curry Trail Angel Award, was "really surprised, shocked, and thrilled to get the award." Donn created the "Bicycle Bunkhouse" just off of our Northern Tier route after a chance encounter with some cyclists in 2005. His visitors have grown from an average of 25 touring cyclists (the total he hosted three years ago) to 95 traveling cyclists this season! "It's definitely been growing," said Donn. "It makes me feel good to do something for the folks out on the road." Indeed. This summer Donn hooked up his trailer to rescue a group of cyclists and their bikes stranded by a nasty thunderstorm. As one nominator said, "Donn Olson is the epitome of a gracious host and has made Dalbo a destination that cyclists can look forward to."
The recipient of the 2011 Pacesetter Award is Kevin Cashman of Apogee Adventures. Founded over a decade ago with the goal of creating engaging and challenging tours for high school aged kids, the company now offers dozens of tours around the world. These trips provide youth with experiences that teach them the importance of hard work, persistence, and dedication, as well as shaping how they see themselves in the world. As one nominator, a former participant and leader, noted, "I was impressed with his emphasis on totally supporting the leaders while, at the same time, encouraging the campers to reach their fullest potential."
After getting the news, Kevin said, "I am flattered and honored to receive Adventure Cycling?s 2011 Pacesetter Award. Bicycle touring and working with kids are two of my greatest joys, and I feel very lucky to be in a profession that combines the two. The point to point, goal-oriented nature of a bicycle touring trip lends itself well to building confidence and character in our students. Our hope, in addition to developing these qualities, is to inspire a love of bicycling, adventure and travel in our students that stays with them for the rest of their lives."
The recipient of the 2011 Sam Braxton Bike Shop Award is Jim Peters and Jim?s Bicycle Shop in Cincinnati, OH. In addition to being on the front lines of all things cycling in their community, Jim and his staff make it a priority to encourage their customers to become bicycle tourists. By providing guidance and training for new touring cyclists, they create a supportive atmosphere for jumping into bike travel. Plus, they maintain a bank of loaner travel cases and go to great lengths to accommodate special logistical requests. One nominator emphasized that the staff at Jim?s Bicycle Shop truly go out of their way "all to help someone have a great touring experience."
After hearing of winning the award, Jim said, "It is great to be recognized for something we have enjoyed for the past 35 years. Whether it is a trip across Ohio or across the U.S., we will help our customers get there safely and well equipped. We will continue to encourage and assist cycling adventure for many years to come."
The 2011 Volunteer of the Year Award goes to Leslie Wills of Grand Haven, Michigan. By volunteering dozens of hours, Leslie made it possible to gain all of the necessary support for the designation of U.S. Bike Route 35 in Michigan. Her countless phone calls, emails, and steadfast attendance at meetings helped to get resolutions of support from 15 local agencies. Adventure Cycling?s Special Projects Director Ginny Sullivan said, "We would not have been able to complete the work in this timeframe without Leslie?s time, energy, and clear devotion to Adventure Cycling and the goals of the U.S. Bicycle Route System project."
Adventure Cycling?s Bicycle Travel Awards program began in 2003 as a way to recognize organizations, individuals, and businesses that are doing extraordinary things in the name of bicycle travel and bike touring.
If you would like to know more about past winners or learn how to submit a nomination for the 2012 awards, visit http://www.adventurecycling.org/awards.
In this photo: Donn Olson holds the sign that greets cyclists on the highway near his house looking for his cyclists' only lodging.
Photo provided by Donn and Sherry Olson
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Source: http://blog.adventurecycling.org/2011/10/award-winners-announced.html
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