Giving credit where credit is due

The Adventure Cycling Association is once again asking touring bicyclists to nominate deserving folks for its four annual bicycle travel awards.

There's an award for the person who does the most to help touring bicyclists, the most helpful bike shop, the person who has contributed to the overall success of bicycle touring, and the most prominent Adventure Cycling volunteer.

If someone comes to mind, go to the awards program at Adventure Cycling Association.

They didn't have these awards when my friend and I rode our bicycles cross-country in 1984, but I was thinking who I would nominate from 23 years ago:

My nominations

— To the person who does the most to help touring bicyclists: This is tough. We were “rescued” by a number of people along our 11 week bicycle tour; the couple in Berea, the couple in Chanute, Kansas, the Navajo minister in Window Rock. However, just for the number of cyclists she helped, I would have nominated the Afton, Virginia's Cookie Lady, June Curry.

Guess what? They named the award for her. June won “June Curry Trail Angel Award” the first year it was given in 2003. She's still going strong.

— To the most helpful bicycle shop: Easy. That goes to Harley's in Hutchinson, Kansas. When my friend couldn't find anyone to fix his taco'd rim, Harley kept his shop open late to work on it and fix it better than new. Plus he gave us the keys to an apartment next to the church to spend the night.

— As for the person who has contributed the most to the success of bicycle touring, I would have put down Lazy Louie for that honor. When the Bikecentennial started rolling through in 1976, he set up a bicycle camp next to his farmhouse in Missouri. Not only did he host and entertain thousands of bicyclists over the years, and repair their bikes, but he helped pass along valuable information about road conditions for cyclists heading east and west.

I believe he gave a voice to the TransAmerica bicyclists with his songs and his folksy advice on dealing with dogs, avoiding thorns, what to eat, and more. What he shared with us gave me the feeling that I was part of a big community that was on the move of two wheels.

More info

Unfortunately, June is the only one still around to get the recognition, but I still think about Harley and Lazy Louie. Now there are others who deserve recognition. The press release from Adventure Cycling explains more about the awards:

Adventure Cycling Association, the nation's premier bicycle travel organization, is accepting nominations for recipients of its four annual bicycle travel awards. Celebrating the heroes of bicycle travel in America, they include the Pacesetter Bicycle Travel Award, the June Curry Trail Angel Award, the Sam Braxton Bike Shop Award, and the Adventure Cycling Volunteer of the Year Award.

“The Pacesetter Bicycle Travel Award recognizes and applauds the efforts of those who, through extraordinary efforts, have contributed to the success of individuals' bicycle travels in the U.S.,” said Becky Douglas, Adventure Cycling's outreach and education coordinator. “Their achievements could include such things as mapping new bicycle-touring routes, shepherding a rail-trail from conception to completion, or leading physically challenged youth on multi-day cycling adventures.” The award is named in honor of Charlie Pace of Columbus, Ohio, who has spent over 40 years creating and supporting bicycle travel opportunities. “Charlie was a key promoter and supporter of both the Tour of Scioto River Valley [TOSRV] in Ohio and Bikecentennial/Adventure Cycling Association,” Douglas said. “A retired banker, he has devoted much of his adult life to sharing his passion for bicycle touring.
 
“The June Curry Trail Angel Award goes to individuals who have gone out of their way to help touring cyclists,” Douglas said. “The award is named in honor of June Curry, the famous 'Cookie Lady,' who for 30 years has been hosting cyclists traveling through her hometown of Afton, Virginia, on the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail. We were very pleased to present June with the first-ever Trail Angel Award in 2003, because her selfless actions truly exemplify the spirit of this award.”

The Braxton Bike Shop Award honors a shop that goes above and beyond the call of duty in providing service to bicycle travelers. Douglas explained that the award was inspired by its namesake, the Braxton Bike Shop in Missoula, Montana, which for many years lived up to its motto, “An Oasis for the Cycletourist.”

“Finally,” Douglas said, “the Adventure Cycling Volunteer of the Year Award is our way of saying 'thank you' each year to a volunteer who has helped the organization further its goal of inspiring people of all ages to travel by bicycle. Last year's recipient was Wally Werner of Centennial, Colorado. A life member of the organization who is also a founding member of Adventure Cycling's leadership development team, Wally has contributed countless hours of his time over the past few years to inspire others to travel by bicycle. He truly sets the standard for future Volunteer of the Year Award recipients.”

Nominations for 2007 awards will be accepted through September 30. For further details visit www.adventurecycling.org/awards or contact Douglas at (406) 721-1776 ext. 235, or bdouglas@adventurecycling.org.