Teaching English from a Bicycle in China

I'm passing on this information on an annual event of the Ohio City Bicycle Co-op, the Marmots' Meander (which turns out to also be a "Groundhog Day" ride this year)...

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Happy New Year!

Please join us, and invite your friends, to enjoy the winter weather, look for signs of Spring, and learn about bike culture in Cleveland, Ohio and Chengde, China:

Saturday February 2nd 2008

6th Annual Marmots' Meander
Groundhog Day Ride

followed by a one-hour slide presentation by member Joni Lewanski:
"Teaching English from a Bicycle in China," her account of 7 months spent teaching in, and riding around Chengde – join us for this even if you don't ride!

Meet (at the bike co-op) after 10am, ride leaves around 11am. Supper* served (back at the bike co-op) beginning at 1pm, slide presentation from 3 – 4pm.

Ride (6 to 40 miles, flat terrain) to Clark Field sledding hill (3 miles); stay for sledding, or continue to the new Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation Mountain Bike Trail (7 miles); ride the trail (if it's not wet) and/or continue south on the Towpath Trail into the CuyahogaValley National Park. Return on the same route**.

Helmets are required (loaners available), and mountain bikes are recommended (a limited number are available for rent, or for loan to members who clean and tune them up afterwards). Bring any sleds, skis or snowboards you can carry (some loaners will be provided, and transported). We'll break out the ski-bikes, and perhaps a sleigh-bike if we get it built. Our new, gas-powered (!?) bike-washing equipment will be available (and the shop for drying and re-lubing) after the ride.

If you plan to ride and sled and then stay for the slide show, feel free to bring dry clothes to change into. Bring a lock if your bike will be unattended.

* Hot Cider and Cocoa will be provided at the sledding hill; supper is vegan Chili with meat and dairy on the side. Potluck side dishes and beverages are welcome.

** Some members will be carrying tools along, but this is an unsupported ride.

This event is free and open to all, but of course donations are always appreciated to pay for food and heat, and to help fund our year-round bicycle education work.

This event will also be our first members' meeting for 2008, so we'll spend a few minutes before the slide show to talk about plans for the year, new member benefits, and your suggestions for improving Co-op operations.

I hope to see many of you there -- Think Snow!

Warmest regards,
Jim

--Jim Sheehan
Director, Ohio City Bicycle Co-op
1823 Columbus Rd
Cleveland, Ohio 44113
216 830 2667
OhioCityCycles.org