[Rockin Roddy]

Alright, since it is OK to have coins with agendas, here's my cointest and race! In an effort to raise bike awareness, I would like to ask all who'd like to participate to pick a coin, any coin and release it into the wild. The coin(s) will need to have it's mission being to raise awareness of bikes on the road! All coins released between now to Sept 19th (and is within the rules below) will be allowed in the cointest! Most coins released will win a prize coin, my 2007 Lackey coin!

Also, the coin with the most miles on it by 5/5/09 will win a prize of my choosing (will have to wait and see what I can come up with by then)! There will also be other winners at my discretion (maybe least miles, first pillfered or whatever...these are only ideas and NOT catagories).

Rules:

1) I make the rules, I have final say. It's my ball and...wait, different argument lol!!

2) Coins MUST have their mission solely to raise awareness of bikes on the road. If you need a suggestion of how to word it, email me and I'll help you! Your coin can be personalized especially if you know someone this strikes close to, but bike awareness MUST be the main message!

3) Coins MUST be titled "Todie's Wild Ride:" you can personalize after the :, but the quote MUST be first in the title. This is so I will be able to track the coins easier!

4) Coins MUST be newly released between Aug 19th to Sept 19th, the race portion of this cointest starts AS SOON as you drop the coin in a cache!

5) Coins MUST be dropped into a cache to be entered into cointest. NO POCKET COINS! Coins must travel or will not be allowed. Any coin deemed not placed in a cache will be removed from person's coin count and disqualified!

6) Coins MUST be posted here upon release so I can watch them travel, I will put all coins on watchlist! Coins MUST be posted here before 10pm Sept 19th (eastern standard time...or my time), any coin NOT listed on time will be disqualified.

If more rules are needed, I will post them.

Let's have some fun with this and release some coins to travel!! Anyone interested?? Substitutions for the winning coin can be negotiated if the Lackey coin doesn't interest the winner!

NEW RULE: TB tags can be added to non-trackable coins to be released, but PLEASE keep it to coins as my alterior mission is to get more coins in the wild!

This post has been edited by Flying Spaghetti Monster: 13 February 2011 - 10:07 AM

[E&Cplus3]

I'll release one!

I released 12 last month, so I'm a little coin-poor at the moment. I won't be winning any prizes for most released!

[sweetlife]

Rod, we have the perfect coin we like to release in honor of Tod. it is not trackable but if we make it into a travel bug and release it can we participate? We will not be able to win by sending out the most coins but would love to be included in this cointest. Please let us know if this is okay.

Barry and Valarie of sweetlife

[usyoopers]

The other yooper is an avid bicyclist so bike awareness (bikes with or without motors) strikes close to home for us. We have several coins drilled and just waiting for a mission, this sounds like a good way to set them free.

Could you shoot us an email with some wording thought please.

[Rockin Roddy]

sweetlife, on Aug 19 2008, 12:57 PM, said:

Rod, we have the perfect coin we like to release in honor of Tod. it is not trackable but if we make it into a travel bug and release it can we participate? We will not be able to win by sending out the most coins but would love to be included in this cointest. Please let us know if this is okay.

Barry and Valarie of sweetlife

Coin....good. Trackable numbers....good. Raise awareness to bikes on the roads...good.

Sounds like it's all good to me! Go for it!

usyoopers, email will be on it's way!

E&Cplus3...you'll still have a chance to win from other catagories I decide on later!! THANKS for participating!

Remember to post your info when you release your travelers!!

[Koolbrez]

I'm in as soon as I get a coin ( I have until the 19th). This will be my first coin to buy and release but it will be special and have meaning. Anyone have a coin for sale that would be fitting for this challenge? I am up for suggestions. E-mail me.

This post has been edited by Koolbrez: 19 August 2008 - 02:17 PM

[Rockin Roddy]

Not to sell my coins or anything, but our Cachestalkers coin is still available at chquality for around $5. There are also several other locations with similar or cheaper deals!!

Remember, most released will win my 2007 Lackey coin. This is the only one I have, but it goes for a good reason! Get those coins released. Also, the more coins released, the better chance in the race part of this cointest!!

[WRITE SHOP ROBERT]

I'll be working something out for a coin to release. Thanks for the Cointest/Race

[sweetlife]

Rod, we will post a coin we are releasing in honor and rememberance of Todie, once we have it all set up, the one we have is called Ride for Sight Canada 2008 Maritimes Coin, on the back it says "Because You Can" it is a very beautiful coin. Hope Todie will get to see alot of sights and travels far around the world on bike in Heaven



Barry and Valarie of sweetlife

[usyoopers]

usyoopers, on Aug 19 2008, 01:49 PM, said:

The other yooper is an avid bicyclist so bike awareness (bikes with or without motors) strikes close to home for us. We have several coins drilled and just waiting for a mission, this sounds like a good way to set them free.

Could you shoot us an email with some wording thought please.

I have 2 ready to go, is the wording ok???
<Tracking numbers removed by moderator>

This post has been edited by Flying Spaghetti Monster: 24 August 2008 - 10:48 AM

[Crowesfeat30]

usyoopers, on Aug 19 2008, 04:49 PM, said:

Could you shoot us an email with some wording thought please.

Ditto this request, please.

I have some coins to release. Not sure how many yet. but more than one or two.

Hugs, CF30

This post has been edited by Crowesfeat30: 19 August 2008 - 04:44 PM

[LadyBee4T]

Rockin Roddy, on Aug 19 2008, 06:37 PM, said:

Not to sell my coins or anything, but our Cachestalkers coin is still available at chquality for around $5. There are also several other locations with similar or cheaper deals!!

Remember, most released will win my 2007 Lackey coin. This is the only one I have, but it goes for a good reason! Get those coins released. Also, the more coins released, the better chance in the race part of this cointest!!

That would be an absolutely excellent coin to release!!!

[Rockin Roddy]

usyoopers, on Aug 19 2008, 04:42 PM, said:

usyoopers, on Aug 19 2008, 01:49 PM, said:

The other yooper is an avid bicyclist so bike awareness (bikes with or without motors) strikes close to home for us. We have several coins drilled and just waiting for a mission, this sounds like a good way to set them free.

Could you shoot us an email with some wording thought please.

I have 2 ready to go, is the wording ok???
<Tracking numbers removed by moderator>

Looks great to me, well done!!

Anyone needing ideas can check out these coins, or email me for more ideas!

So we have 2 ready to go?? GREAT!! Can't wait to see them travel!

This post has been edited by Flying Spaghetti Monster: 24 August 2008 - 10:50 AM

[Crowesfeat30]

LadyBee4T, on Aug 19 2008, 07:45 PM, said:

Rockin Roddy, on Aug 19 2008, 06:37 PM, said:

Not to sell my coins or anything, but our Cachestalkers coin is still available at chquality for around $5. There are also several other locations with similar or cheaper deals!!
Remember, most released will win my 2007 Lackey coin. This is the only one I have, but it goes for a good reason! Get those coins released. Also, the more coins released, the better chance in the race part of this cointest!!

That would be an absolutely excellent coin to release!!!

Very true. I just ordered three & will release all of them as soon as I have them in hand.

CF30

[Crowesfeat30]

This one's for you, Rod: TB15TT0

CF30

[TeamAmaroo]

I also ordered some Cachestalkers and will release them ASAP.

[Rockin Roddy]

Crowesfeat30, on Aug 19 2008, 07:25 PM, said:

This one's for you, Rod: TB15TT0

CF30

THANKS!! I saw the adoption papers come in and will get to them soon! Another coin spreading the word, gotta love that! I will be watching this one make it's way to me, THANKS!!!

I had an older couple pull out in front of me today, they saw me at the last second and stopped before crossing my path. Instead of following the instinct to slam the brakes, I slowed quickly while assuring myself I had more than one way out of the situation...gotta ride defensively out there! Keeping an eye on everything while keeping a cool head isn't the easiest thing, but it's a MUST!

[fairyhoney]

Crowesfeat30, on Aug 19 2008, 08:25 PM, said:

This one's for you, Rod: TB15TT0

CF30

That's an excellent idea !

[mousekakat]

About 2 weeks ago I scared the he** out of me, and likely 2 riders, too.

Sweden LOVES traffic circles (roundabouts for you britts out there) and there are 6 of them in my 20 mile drive to work.

I know I gotta share the road, and I've no problem with that... BUT... eesh!

I almost ran over a couple on a bike 2 weeks ago.

Said couple was wearing black leather... on a black bike with very little chrome, with black leather saddlebags AND a big black suitcase behind the rear rider...and to make things worse, it was on blacktop asphalt and up against a dark background of the center of the traffic circle.

I missed them by maybe 5 feet, and in this case a foot is as good as a mile, but it scared the living daylights outta me! They had to swerve, so did I, and I had to slam on the breaks...and clean out my britches when I got to work!

So...with that being said...Rod, if I find that you're out riding like those folks and making yourself almost invisible on the road, I'm gonna hop a flight to Michigan and kick your butt for not thinking!!

Please, all you bikers out there, PLEASE, for your safety and everyone elses, please be sure that you are VISIBLE! You guys are so small, it's so easy to disappear into a blind spot or just blend in to the road! Please be sure that you protect yourselves and do your part to be visible, too!

*still get shook up when I think that I could have killed 2 people*

Naomi

[Rockin Roddy]

All the more reason to get the word out about bike awareness!!!! Get those coins out there!!

Black is very common for a biker....leather (usually black) is our outer shell protection against bugs, rocks, rain and the occasional bird. A smart rider wears leather as the road isn't forgiving (if one is forced to lay a bike down or such). Saddlebags are usually black leather unless they're hardshell, then painted like the bike. A bike trunk is a needed part of any traveler's accessories, we don't have a back seat or trunk like cars and we still need to be able to carry luggage like clothes and such!

I wear leathers a lot, my bags are black and I sometimes carry a large trunk (black leather)...but my helmet has a reflective "Red Wings" decal on it, I have lots of chrome (hard to clean, but nice).

The trick is, auto drivers are used to seeing a big bulky vehicle and tend to overlook us smaller traffic (and tend to be a bit more in a hurry it seems). Having a lit headlight and more lighting on the back is very helpful, but sometimes just not available. Having a loud exhaust (which may seem annoying to some) lets other drivers know a bike is nearby...but exhausts for my bike are around $700 and then I'd need to get a dyno to make it run right (must be properly tuned). If I were to replace the exhausts, I'd need to also replace the stock breather and add a computer mod so as to make it all economical (otherwise, replacing one at a time requires another dyno for each change, which costs around another $300 or so...unless using the computer mod).

I agree we bikers need to be visible, but it makes no difference if the other drivers aren't paying attention to us. I see people changing the radio, (or blaring it and not able to hear us coming up beside them), reading maps or such, combing their hair, putting on make-up etc. Tod's headlight was always lit, it comes on when the bike starts...that didn't stop the truck driver (who had missed his turn and was trying to do a U-turn) from being too distracted to see it.

Slow down, look around, listen and pay attention...something we can do either in cars or on bikes!!

THANKS for the post Naomi, points out problems we face!! Oh...and 5' is more like 5" to us. We have to make a decision when we perceive a threat as we simply don't have the luxury of a steel frame to take a small fender-bender's force! Waiting isn't an option as then it's likely too late!!

I'm going to put this info in one of my mission descriptions!!! I'll have something like 10 coins ready soon...and another 5 or 6 in the wings!!

[usyoopers]

I've got 5 ready to go, hopefully I'll get the time to get a few more up and ready. We are going to Mackinac Island tomorrow so a few should be starting there. We've got a Mexican vacation planned next week, maybe a few can start there.

I'll post their whereabouts soon!

[mousekakat]

Yellow safety vests may not look cool, but they aren't expensive, are easily replaced, and can make a huge difference in your visibility!

In any case, though, I hate motorcycles. My step-father lost a leg on one and I know so many who have been hurt or killed on them :*(

I'll try to get a coin or two out, too

Naomi

[Droo]

mousekakat, on Aug 21 2008, 12:44 AM, said:

Please, all you bikers out there, PLEASE, for your safety and everyone elses, please be sure that you are VISIBLE! You guys are so small, it's so easy to disappear into a blind spot or just blend in to the road! Please be sure that you protect yourselves and do your part to be visible, too!

You're quite right, Naomi, to point out that visibility is a BIG issue. Here in the States we have to ride with our lights on, the only way to turn them off is to burn out the bulb, turn off the ignition or alter the wiring. Believe it or not some people do make that alteration. I don't believe the same requirement exists in Europe.

Still the point Rod's trying to make is to be alert to other road users. Why is it that a black bike is less visible than a little black sports car? Generally I think we look for that which is a threat. We're more likely to see a car peeking into an intersection than a pedestrian. We assume the pedestrian wouldn't make a kamikaze move to jump out in front a car but pressume a car's driver may absent minded enough to do so. Bikes are not a threat to motorists and are easily discounted much the same way a pedestrian is. No amount of reflective tape can change that.

EDIT to add to remain ontopic: I love the enthusiasm this project has taken on. I'll be releasing recently won coins from the fund raising effort.

This post has been edited by Droo: 21 August 2008 - 11:17 AM

[mousekakat]

Droo, on Aug 21 2008, 09:12 PM, said:

mousekakat, on Aug 21 2008, 12:44 AM, said:

Please, all you bikers out there, PLEASE, for your safety and everyone elses, please be sure that you are VISIBLE! You guys are so small, it's so easy to disappear into a blind spot or just blend in to the road! Please be sure that you protect yourselves and do your part to be visible, too!

You're quite right, Naomi, to point out that visibility is a BIG issue. Here in the States we have to ride with our lights on, the only way to turn them off is to burn out the bulb, turn off the ignition or alter the wiring. Believe it or not some people do make that alteration. I don't believe the same requirement exists in Europe.

Still the point Rod's trying to make is to be alert to other road users. Why is it that a black bike is less visible than a little black sports car? Generally I think we look for that which is a threat. We're more likely to see a car peeking into an intersection than a pedestrian. We assume the pedestrian wouldn't make a kamikaze move to jump out in front a car but pressume a car's driver may absent minded enough to do so. Bikes are not a threat to motorists and are easily discounted much the same way a pedestrian is. No amount of reflective tape can change that.

EDIT to add to remain ontopic: I love the enthusiasm this project has taken on. I'll be releasing recently won coins from the fund raising effort.

Just a quick reply...if I can't see you because you're all in black against a dark background, a headlight/tailight won't help no matter what.

I hate the stupid pedestrians here in Sweden in the winter, too. We're dark by 3 pm in the winter and don't get light again until 9ish the next morning and stupid teenagers run around thinking they are cool, wearing all black and walking on the wrong side of the road without wearing a reflexive ANYTHING.

It's not that I'm looking for a threat or missing what isn't, it's that honestly, sometimes it's just hard to see a smaller vehicle, whether it's an MGB, a Hog, or a bike or a guy walking by the road wearing all black in the dark.

N

[xboxcrazy33]

I will try to get a coin traveling in a couple days. I'm sorry about your friend Roddy.

This post has been edited by xboxcrazy33: 21 August 2008 - 01:28 PM

[Droo]

mousekakat, on Aug 21 2008, 02:17 PM, said:

...snip...
It's not that I'm looking for a threat or missing what isn't, it's that honestly, sometimes it's just hard to see a smaller vehicle, whether it's an MGB, a Hog, or a bike or a guy walking by the road wearing all black in the dark.

N

Sorry, Naomi, if I implied it's done on purpose. It's done unconsciously. Hence the need for heightened awareness.

[mousekakat]

Droo, I think we're all on the same page here.

Roddy, I apologize if I am hijacking your thread. I know it may not look like it, but I'm in agreement with you 100% that we all need to be aware of each other and share the road.

I'm just grouchy as heck lately, my apologies!

I'll get a coin out in Tod's name this weekend, I promise!

Naomi

[Rockin Roddy]

No problems and good debate, shows that we really do need to get the word out!! I'm working on some coins right now, some will stress the need to be visible, some will stress the need to not be in such a hurry (avoid doing the rolling stops, look instead of assume etc) etc.

OK mini cointest time! I have a stack of coins on my desk right now which I'll be activating shortly. How many coins are in the stack?? A couple have already been activated, but not many!

1 guess per hour, no edits and cointest ends at 10pm my time (EST) unless someone guesses correctly! Winner to get a coin of my choosing.

[BrierPatch]

14

[Rockin Roddy]

double post, sorry!

This post has been edited by Rockin Roddy: 22 August 2008 - 11:08 AM

[hollora]

24

[xboxcrazy33]

10

[Moustik et HBK]

32

[sweetlife]

8

valarie of sweetlife

[Rockin Roddy]

All good guesses, but all missing the mark!!

[LadyBee4T]

21 (for Tod's birthday)

[mousekakat]

11

[Rockin Roddy]

Just finished activating a few more, there's now 7 in my "ready" pile!! My "waiting pile" seems a bit bigger, will have to keep working!

Guess every 20 minutes now!

[LadyBee4T]

49

[BrierPatch]

36

[Rockin Roddy]

LadyBee4T, on Aug 22 2008, 12:27 PM, said:

21 (for Tod's birthday)

HOLD THE PHONE, WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!!

Great job Beverly! I have just the coin for you too!!

OK, I've got 21 coins, all with the name Todie's Wild Ride and all spreading the awareness of bikes! I might just put out more though, the more the better! Anyone planning on beating that?? I might have to sweeten the deal a bit if someone does!!

This post has been edited by Rockin Roddy: 22 August 2008 - 01:24 PM

[Rockin Roddy]

I just received an email from one of you asking me to check the missions and OK everything....someone is setting the bar high already!! AWESOME!!

Also, LB4T pm'd me saying it might not have been all that fair with he winning since she knew Todie's B'day. My answer to that is, you just did the homework anyone else could have done, my friend! Truly, I was surprised anyone knew! You win my friend, fair and square!!

Keep an eye on this thread for upcoming cointests throughout the main cointest!!! We'll call them "pop cointests" lol

[usyoopers]

Got my first 7 out yesterday-

TB1W2DN- started at Rogers Park
TB24J22- started at Tree Toppers Resort

The other 5 all started on Mackinac Island

TB21Y4M- Steep Staircase
TB28GTN- Road Apple Tour-Mother & Child
TB1ZPQX- Cache with a View- Sunset Rock
TBY12C- Big Straw
TB264ZH- Browns Brook Revisited

sorry I don't know how to do the linky thing!.....more to come.

This post has been edited by usyoopers: 23 August 2008 - 03:48 PM

[Rockin Roddy]

usyoopers, on Aug 23 2008, 06:50 AM, said:

Got my first 7 out yesterday-

OCKKNE- started at Rogers Park
OCMH3M- started at Tree Toppers Resort

The other 5 all started on Mackinac Island

CBCYEY- Steep Staircase
OCHE7K- Road Apple Tour-Mother & Child
CCAWDW- Cache with a View- Sunset Rock
PCAJWJ- Big Straw
GPFFVN- Browns Brook Revisited

sorry I don't know how to do the linky thing!.....more to come.

Hello usyoopers


Steep Staircase comes up as not existing, maybe a letter snafu?? Also, pease replace all tracking numbers with the refernce numbers, anyone can log your coins as they are!!

Other than that...WELL DONE!!! Good messages all around!! THANKS!!

[usyoopers]

Rockin Roddy, on Aug 23 2008, 03:19 PM, said:

usyoopers, on Aug 23 2008, 06:50 AM, said:

Got my first 7 out yesterday-

TB1W2DN- started at Rogers Park
TB24J22- started at Tree Toppers Resort

The other 5 all started on Mackinac Island

TB21Y4M- Steep Staircase
TB28GTN- Road Apple Tour-Mother & Child
TB1ZPQX- Cache with a View- Sunset Rock
TBY12C- Big Straw
TB264ZH- Browns Brook Revisited

sorry I don't know how to do the linky thing!.....more to come.

Hello usyoopers


Steep Staircase comes up as not existing, maybe a letter snafu?? Also, pease replace all tracking numbers with the refernce numbers, anyone can log your coins as they are!!

Other than that...WELL DONE!!! Good messages all around!! THANKS!!

Think I gots um fixed!

[Rockin Roddy]

I've got a question and another cointest for you!

First, the question: After reading some mission messages and comments in this thread, I am left wondering how it is that a motorist has a difficult time seeing us? Think about this, I just made a long trip on my bike. While on that ride, I was forced to deal with dead animals, people riding right up my rear (even on a 2 lane divided highway), people cutting close in front of me, blown tires and other hazards in the roads etc. I was able to do all this and still notice all the bikes coming at me...across a median. And yes, I gave each one a wave! (oh, and the blonde driving without her top...in a convertible....yeah I saw that too!!!!!!)

Maybe it's partly because I am looking for bikes, but maybe it's also because I (and most other riders) pay MUCH closer attention to EVERYTHING around me when riding. I HAVE to pay much closer attention as it's life or death out there! I don't have any distractions to deal with such as a radio, a phone, make-up or hairbrush, no maps or newspaper, no kids in the back seat whining or fighting with siblings...nothing but me and my alertness of the road. I understand some do have a radio, but I'm betting most of these people set their radio and leave it! I also carry a passenger often, they know to sit still and shut up!

Don't get me wrong, we bikers are far from saints and make our fair share of mistakes, but saying we aren't visible when my headlight is staring you right in the face seems hard to believe at times, and never mind the chrome. My leather shouldn't make a bit of difference at high noon or at dawn or dusk as my headlight is much more visible than any safety vest (can you see a safety vest from a mile away??). I'd talk about the rear of the bike, but that's not the problem most times!

How is it we see all those animals? None of them are wearing a safety vest!! Someone told me they need to teach bike awareness in driver's training, I wholeheartedly agree!!

All this said, Tod was killed when a driver turned in front of him. No hill between them, no blind spot...just a driver who missed his turn and was going to make a U-turn! Tod wasn't a saint in this, he wasn't wearing a DOT helmet! The officer in charge told me he'd likely be alive today had he been wearing a real helmet as the only injury was to his head. Still, Tod would have arrived safely at his destination as he did every day, had it not been for the driver forcing Tod to make a reaction!

Sorry, off my soapbox...now the cointest!!

I took a ride today to an event, it was a good distance and gave me ample time to think.

1) How far was the total distance of my trip (home to event and back home again). Keep in mind I didn't have Tod with me to do the navigating like I usually do lol!

2) How many gallons of gas did it take for this trip?

Must have both answers to win, I will be giving clues if needed. 1 guess every 15 minutes please and no editing!

[LadyBee4T]

Ahhh you went to the event!! I'm so envious. No gas money here and still this dastardly bronchitis!! Hope you had a great time!!!

[Rockin Roddy]

LadyBee4T, on Aug 23 2008, 04:46 PM, said:

Ahhh you went to the event!! I'm so envious. No gas money here and still this dastardly bronchitis!! Hope you had a great time!!!

Yes I did!!! Wish you could have been there!!!

Sorry about my last post everyone, I'm still pretty sensitive to this issue it appears! Some of you might have missed my cointest as it was after that outburst, here it is again:

I took a ride today to an event, it was a good distance and gave me ample time to think.

1) How far was the total distance of my trip (home to event and back home again). Keep in mind I didn't have Tod with me to do the navigating like I usually do lol!

2) How many gallons of gas did it take for this trip?

Must have both answers to win, I will be giving clues if needed. 1 guess every 15 minutes please and no editing!

[hollora]

1. 265
2. 7 1/2

Purely a guess here but hey, I'll get you started!

[xboxcrazy33]

Here are my guesses:

1) 284 miles round trip.

2) Approximately 6 gallons of gas.

Thanks for the mini-cointest.

Just thought that I'd add to the conversation. For the most part, drivers of cars don't pay attention at all when they are driving. I have almost been hit so many times because people just don't pay attention or follow things like speed limits and traffic signs when driving. And I drive a small SUV, which is much more visible than a motorcycle. However, most bikers that I encounter always obey the speed limit, signal when they change lanes, obey traffic signs, etc. Drivers need to start paying attention more, and realize they are not the only ones on the road.