Happy Valentine's Day Pedicabbies!

A quick note to our drivers to tell them (and everyone who reads this blog) just how much we LOVE and APPRECIATE them!

We probably don't tell them often enough what an awesome group we have right now. So this is it.

Thanks to each and every one of you!

Team Pedicab, Rounds 3-4

Good Day pedicabbers!

We are now in full swing of summer, and we have a cab up in Breckenridge, elevation, 9,600 feet. We have been spending the week pedaling and working. My first two nights were pretty average, and it took me a few hours to figure out the flow of people. Lo and behold, I came out tonight and made a good enough sum taking 70 year old women up our hills. I also flagged a couple of local young bar-rats whom I know and so, I came away with more than I anticipated. We burn calories like its out of style, and throw a smile on, regardless. Weather has been pretty cooperative, and believe it or not, I will be taking on drivers this weekend, do try their hand at riding. This is tough riding, because it isn't like normal riding. You really have to use your exposure and offer the crazy free ride everyone talks about. Otherwise, you will sufficate.

Breckenridge: Where your banker is your Boy Scoutmaster, local mountain bike racer, rotarian, and not to mention favorite pedicab operator. Sometime I will have a couple of cabs running and main street will be begging for a ped mall, but right now, I am the bike-dork of sorts, riding people up those hills for a nice tip. This weekend will be the second telling weekend, and I think the late night will require some crazy spinning.

Team Pedicab is hurting right now. Between climbing crazy mountains, wrecking our favorite beefsteak bike, and gnarling ourselves on course to the point of tears, we are regrouping. Brook is taking 1st in the women's beginner division, which means she will need to buck up and move to sport. Yours is learning the power of humility. Most recent race was the time trial where I missed my start and rode a 30 lb bike. I am working on changing and financing a frame, which will give me a better advantage. I am test-riding different bikes. Bike last week was the Kona Kikapu Deluxe, this week will be the Santa Cruz Blur or Superlight. The local bro-discount may apply, and I just hope to hit a good race Wednesday-- one that I know I can climb and hang with some of my nemeses.

With that, peeps, rebuilding is where I am. It is not about the bike, much like it is not about the pedicab. The bike is the means, not the end. I know I like bikes, I know I like to race, but now, it is about having fun. I am set on having fun. Ultimately, my stitches, were humbling, but the bike gods hit me harder on the Firecracker 50. Bike broke 5 times and it learned me a valuable lesson- love the bike, don't love the race.

On another, more charitable front, the Summit County Rotaract group is trying to get something going with Project Rwanda. It is looking like September, and we are working on raising monies for some bike tools for the coffee bikes, posted in a previous post. I have had contact with a famous name in components- but he plugged me into a couple of people who just love bikes and love to ride- not to race. We are trying to make some money for a cool international project-- Thanks for the heads up on the project, BIG TREE! Keep in touch about this, and Mountain Pedicab Company will continue to fit here somewhere.

Additionally, I found some time to climb Longs Peak, a fourteener, actually, under the auspices of Mountain Pedicab Company. We hiked this one. Ben, our Front-Ranger was present and a little height averse. I was smiling the entire way. We made it to the top without event or problem, other than a knotted stomach, and a new respect for granite slabs. Later on this day, we did ride, for some time, albeit whipped. I mean whipped. Imagine a stairstep for 12 hours. Then imagine hauling drunks around. Google Longs Peak, and you may get an idea of what an undertaking this was. We started at 2am, reached the summit at 9, back down by 3. Not the winners, but still Alpinists all the same. It was rewarding, but still tiring. Try it!

Any of your comments on the Mountain Pedicab front are appreciated!

http://www.mavsports.com
http://www.coffeebike.com
http://www.projectrwanda.org
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longs_Peak

Yours, without pictures, right now, but some good links!

beefsteak

The battle rages in Hoboken

This came to us from the new pedicab operator in Hoboken, NJ who is struggling to keep his pedicabs on the street. Show him you support pedicabs by contacting the people listed below, posting at Hoboken 411, or leaving your comments on this blog.

You have no idea how comforting it was to hear a voice of support. I was unaware that this was even known outside our little community. Up until I heard from you, I and My cousin, who is my partner, thought we were completely alone in the battle. I also acknowledge we are a small fight as compared to what some cities are facing. I anticipate building a relationship with you and look forward to meeting you .

Here is the information you requested. I hope it will be very helpful. First let me start by stating that Terry Labruno is the head council woman for transportation in Hoboken and she gives us her full support as you can see on the live televised meeting. Also Mayor David Roberts gave us his thumbs up. He can be reached at 201 420 2203.

Two of our biggest opposing ward members are Teresa Castellano AND Michael Russo. Both parties concerning issues are safety and congestion but mainly medallion money concerns.

Also if you would like to pass this on and tell people to leave a blog post on our behalf and to read what has already been written by council and community visit this link @ hoboken 411 ......http://hoboken411.com/archives/6424. [This is the profile on Michael Russo.]

Finally, to observe the live televised broadcast (the actually meeting took place mind you behind closed doors and without any insight or representation on our behalf) you can go to http://www.hobokentv78.org/ and click on play in the middle box date 4/4/07. Its not stated as being one of the two topics to be discussed, but as you watch you will see it brought up as a concern.

Thank you so very much for your time, courtesy and whatever efforts you come forth with from this time.

Sincerely Christopher Costello

Contact these people and let them know you support pedicabs:

Theresa Castellano : 201 656 9449 Theresa@CastellanoForHoboken.com

Michael Russo : 201 792 6226 michael@russoforhoboken.com

Peter Cammarano : 973 533 0777 pcammarano@gbvlaw.com

Ruben Ramos : rramos1973@optionline.net

Christopher Campos : 201 941 8300

MAYOR ROBERTS : 201 420 2000 ext. 2013 or 2018

ALSO CITY COUNCIL MAIN NUMBER : 201 420 2000 ext. 2070 or 2071

Thanks for coming to Denver

Thanks so much to everyone who attended the recent Pedicab Operators Weekend Intensive.

Greg and I had a great time getting to know all of you. We appreciate your time and attention and hope all of you got valuable information and new ideas you can implement in your own communities. We're looking forward to getting to know all of you better and assisting you in continuing to build your business.

MHP Holiday Party

Happy Holidays! Tonight was a fun evening for everyone attending the Mile High Pedicab Holiday Party. And an extra thanks to our hosts, Matt, Rob and Randy, owners of the Dugout in Denver.

Greg and I want to thank all the drivers who worked with us during 2006. We often comment to one another about what an awesome and diverse group of drivers we have. We both thoroughly enjoyed seeing everyone, swapping stories, laughing, and getting to know you better. Honestly, I can't express to you how much you are appreciated.

Since so many of the drivers don't get a chance to get to know each other, we had everyone play a little driver trivia game. It was a lot of fun and sparked some lively conversation - which was our goal in the first place. For those of you who missed the party and are interested in the trivial factoids, you'll just have to ask someone who was there.

A special thanks to the partners, spouses, and significant others who joined us tonight (and those who didn't). Welcome to the crazy world of pedicabs! Your encouragement is vitally important.

We hope everyone had a good time. We sure did! We'll do this again in January!

Testimonial by Weekend Intensive Graduate

In June, Neil Lubin of Sacramento Rickshaw Co. posted this great testimonial on Rickshaw Forum after attending Big Tree Pedicab's Pedicab Operator's Weekend Intensive.

"I flew into Denver from Sacramento specifically to attend the Big Tree Workshop. It was informative, inspiring and most importantly, I became connected with people who are building businesses like myself. There was a classroom component, a "hands on" component and an observational session. We absorbed lots of information, got to study the "anatomy" of the units and spent an evening shadowing the management of Mile High Pedicabs. Anyone who is serious about developing a successful and professional business model would be wise to attend their program."

Welcome

Welcome to the new blog for pedicabs!

We look forward to posting information for both operators and drivers, and receiving comments from both as well.

You'll get a look into the innerworkings of the pedicab industry - the good, the bad, and the ugly! It should be a fun ride, so hold on!