My recent adventure on the 2012 Tour Des Trees along with more than 100 riders and support team brought in $500,000 for tree research. This massive fundraising effort, the largest of its kind in the country, was an inspiring 6.25days of cycling 565 miles. Our challenging ride along the Oregon Coast, Clackamas and Columbia Rivers, and the Mt. Hood portion of the Cascade Range, was truly incredible. Below is a brief pictorial summary of our activities from August 5, 2012 though August 12, 2012.
A group of riders anxiously milling about prior to our early morning launchRiders getting bikes readyA surrealistic shot of the quiet and secluded bike trail through an Oregon forestSeaside, OregonTwo of my northern California buddies: center is Gary Aborjena and right is Randy HoppA bunch of bikes lined up early one evening after a day of hard work. Hotels provided meeting rooms for bike storage. In addition, our bike mechanics and masseuses utilized these rooms for necessary personal and mechanical maintenance (see the feet-mid left)Nothing like riding along an open peaceful road…where’s the traffic?The Oregon coast has many beautiful sites to beholdGotta love those descents!A relaxing lunch stop at Stoller Vineyards, Dayton OregonThe Clackamas RiverRiding east along the Clackamas River with the mountainous slopes to the northClimbing to Mt. Hood. That was a long uphill day although the big eight mile climb was the next day
Very inspiring scenery for the rider
The eight mile climb-the long and not so winding roadFinally..a sweet left turn after the eight mile climbMultnomah Falls along the historic Columbia River HighwayAn overlook along the Columbia River
Treevents during our community stops along the route, provided great educational opportunities and tree plantings for kids and adults.
Our very own Dr. Ellwood Pricklethorn, aka Warren Hoselton, from Toronto, prior to one of the treeventsTour riders planting trees with kids from the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, OregonAre these pod kids hanging from a web of alien tree climbers? Actually its a learn to climb activitity at the International Tree Climbers Competition in Portland at the end of our journeyWeird Oregon tree people hanging out in a local mallRiders preparing for the short little 25 mile loop on day seven, the grand finale through Portland. We had just completed our 540-mile six day training ride prior to this final eventThe leader of my support group and favorite member. Can you believe she still supports me after 33 years. Life is good!
I know I’m back for more next year and I also encourage you; but it fills up fast so stay tuned (you don’t have to be in the tree care industry to become part of this movement). To see where the funds go, click on TREE FUND. Cheers, until next year in Toronto… G-d willin’ and the creeks don’t rise!
Thanks for your support. How can I help you with your trees?
Santa Barbara Arborist Bill Spiewak, is Board Certified Master Arborist #310B with the International Society of Arboriculture, Registered Consulting Arborist #381 with the American Society of Consulting Arborists, and instructor of Arboriculture at Santa Barbara City College. Bill also has over 30 years of practical experience in the care of trees as prior owner of Bill's Tree Care in Santa Barbara.
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2 Comments
Bill
I think you need to target the consumer not the service provider. The purchaser of the service drives the results. Without seeing the photos of the trees before pruning, especially the Sycamores, it is difficult to know why the decisions where made to make the cuts made.
As for the Lemmon Eucs, the real problem was years of no pruning. Again, the fault of the owner.
I just visited your city a couple of weeks ago, spectacular. I rode Gibralter and it nearly killed my buddy. Great riding in your area.
Out on the bike I noticed that your community has above average tree care. There are some tirds in your punch bowl, and that will never stop. In my opinion, formative years pruning, species selection, and thoughtful placement is really the only hope for creating specimens that will last centuries.
I think the birds you mentioned were Ravins, but that is a matter of a “pinion”. Remember the old joke?
Just a lumber Jack. Brian Gates
Brian,
You crossed a lot of territory there. Lots of blogs, so little time. Yes, we do offer some great riding opportunities and I look forward to my eighth Tour des Trees this summer. Thanks for the feedback.
Bill
Very inspiring scenery for the rider
Treemendous Blog 
Bill
I think you need to target the consumer not the service provider. The purchaser of the service drives the results. Without seeing the photos of the trees before pruning, especially the Sycamores, it is difficult to know why the decisions where made to make the cuts made.
As for the Lemmon Eucs, the real problem was years of no pruning. Again, the fault of the owner.
I just visited your city a couple of weeks ago, spectacular. I rode Gibralter and it nearly killed my buddy. Great riding in your area.
Out on the bike I noticed that your community has above average tree care. There are some tirds in your punch bowl, and that will never stop. In my opinion, formative years pruning, species selection, and thoughtful placement is really the only hope for creating specimens that will last centuries.
I think the birds you mentioned were Ravins, but that is a matter of a “pinion”. Remember the old joke?
Just a lumber Jack. Brian Gates
Brian,
You crossed a lot of territory there. Lots of blogs, so little time. Yes, we do offer some great riding opportunities and I look forward to my eighth Tour des Trees this summer. Thanks for the feedback.
Bill