Last Sunday was the last PALM meeting before the ride. We've been talking about (and planning) PALM since last September. This is the meeting where you realize that PALM is really going to happen. It is the meeting that you stuff all the packets that get distributed at registration: 813 packets, each with a participant's name on it. I spent Memorial Day weekend creating packet labels and rider info sheets. I had to use two reams of paper. The packets contain the map booklet, the ride patch, and the Milestone booklet that describes what is on the route, all visible proof that PALM is real and will be happening soon. I also created all the meal lists for the sites. I don't know about you, but I'm getting excited.
I've added some statistics about this year's participants to the website and you can compare this year to previous years. This year we have 263 first timers to PALM, 32%. As you can tell by looking that the statistics from previous years, this is normal. We did a survey one year and found that this was the first week long tour for about half of the first time riders. So if this is your first time on a week long tour, you'll have plenty of company.
You can also see that PALM participants come in all ages, that if your kids are on the ride, they won't be alone, and that if you are over 40 (or 50 or 60 or 70), you won't stand out. The smallest age brackets are riders in their 20's and 30's which has always surprised me. The great majority of the participants are from Michigan, 75%, but we have people from 28 states and one province. This year we have participants from Louisiana, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Go figure.
So even if the weather is a little cool, get out and ride: 3 more weeks to PALM and we mean it.
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4 comments:
I hope it's summer there soon. We seem to have gotten stuck here (Illinois) in early May. There was some sun yesterday evening between showers and I believe I saw a sliver of sun on Saturday afternoon but the temp is still mostly in the 60s during the day. I bike to work sometimes and am still wearing long pants going to work in the morning and sometimes going home in the afternoon. Is the weather maven on the PALM committee?
IF someone could give me a ride on Saturday , JUne 20 to either
the bus in Lexington or the start at Whitehall, I would appreciate it.and am willing to pay.
Rita Gelman
ritagelman@sbcglobal.net
734-995-2434
PALM 2009 is over and it was fantastic! Thank you to all the PALM staff and volunteers. I had a wonderful time.
BIG thanks to all the hard working volunteers! Palm 2009 was my first multi-day bike tour and I LOVED it!
Wonderful family atmosphere, friendly people, good food, good routes!
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