Testimonials from 6/21/08 Tour de Blast! Thank you to all of the riders who participated in the 2008 Tour de Blast. We felt all your kind comments shouldn't go unnoticed, and wanted our volunteers to know how much you appreciated them! Thank you from the entire 2008 Tour de Blast Committee * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * New! A Must Read! Click here to read this heart warming story by Richard Rhodes: Tour de Blast and the Hidden Joys of Parent/Child Riding * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * I had the pleasure of participating in this years Tour De Blast with my two sons, ages 15 and 13. This was the second organized ride they have done with me and was a big step up in difficulty for them. They have been training for it since March. The organized support for this ride was amazing. Even though it was mighty windy at times, this is a wonderful route, and we look forward to riding it again in the years to come. The food and rest stops were the best, and the folks manning them were most helpful and cheerful. Both my boys made it to the top of Johnston ridge, and back to Toutle, and I am not sure that would have been possible without all the great food, massive amounts of water, and their own hard work. Thank you all for this great day that my son's and I will cherish forever. See you next year. Keith Board Chief Editor, Northwest Cable News * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * I have ridden in quite a few organized rides now and I must say the Tour de Blast has been by far the most enjoyable. Kudos to the extremely friendly staff and the great food was much appreciated! The Tour de Blast has now become a yearly 'must ride' event. Thanks again! See you next year :) Eric * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * I am writing you this email to say THANK YOU for an awesome ride. I have participated in many ride events, but they have NOTHING on you. Your ride organization is absolutely outstanding! This has been, by far, the best ride I have ever participated in. The food at the rest stops and spaghetti feast was the best food I have ever encounter in any ride. I commend you all for a superb job. I believe that ALL cycling clubs should come to your event and take notes. You organization has definitely set a high standard for cycling events. I was dumbfounded by the views throughout the ride and I was also challenged by the climbs. The food at each rest stop was fresh and delicious as was the spaghetti feast at the end of a great ride. Last, but not least, thank you so much for providing us access to showers after the event. I will definitely be back next year. THANK YOU so much for an awesome experience! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Thanks to all the incredible volunteers this year! I have never ever seen quicker registration tables! And the on-the-road support was super. I can’t wait until next year! Mark * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * My wife and I wanted to thank you for the great ride we had in the 2008 Tour de Blast. Everything was as good as expected and even better. Some items of note:
We camped out at one of the local campgrounds and stopped by the local diner for breakfast and met with the same friendly hospitality before departing for home.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * I was and still am very impressed by the event organization. I cannot say thank you enough to all the participants that made this event such a lasting memory. And of course, you may use may email response. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Dear Longview Rotary, An inexpensive ride...45$ includes a nice t-shirt! Thank you very much. I will be riding the Tour de Blast again! Mark Simoneaux (49 year old in my rookie cycling season) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * I rode this year's event, second time around for this ride. (My first attempt, a few years ago, was hammered by inclement weather, snow even, and the ride was terminated somewhere around Elk Rock.) It was a well-organized event and my thanks to all the Rotarians who worked on it. The brochure, web site, and support (including the pasta feed) were all very efficient, and the en-route food was just right as well. I had planned on doing the full 82 miles, but started to run out of steam towards the end of the 17-mile uphill section (didn't train enough!) and so I turned around and skipped the last 15 miles. Which turned out to be a good decision, since my body (including my backside) were just about depleted by the time I got back into Toutle-town. It's a challenging event, and took me a week to recover, but it was very worthwhile and I hope to participate again, and hopefully do the entire course. Thanks, Ron Boydston |