So many visitors!

September 2, 2009

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What follows is a special post from our executive director, Jim Sayer, highlighting the visitors we have had throughout the summer of 2009.

"Wow, it’s the start of September, and over the spring and summer here in Missoula we have welcomed what must be a record number of visiting cyclists. Pictured above is Beth Petersen, our 'office czarina' (as some of us lovingly call her), standing next to our 'Wall of Fame' in the front foyer of Adventure Cycling’s HQ. The wall contains digital photos of all the folks who have visited this year during regular weekday business hours and on Saturdays in summer. It became so crowded that we started putting photos on the other pin board you can see in Beth’s hands – and now that’s full!

"It’s really a wall of dreamers (and achievers), featuring people from around the world of all ages and backgrounds seeking fitness, fun, and self-discovery cycling around North America – or even the planet! This year, the 'visitation' started on April 15 when Mike Petty of Scotland trundled into our office, riding from Kelowna, British Columbia, to Boston. Next up in early May were Martin and Nadine from Cologne, Germany, who are spending seven years pedaling and paddling (a foldable, packable canoe, that is) around the world. They’d logged over 50,000 miles so far!

"Since then, we’ve hosted many hundreds of traveling cyclists and also Adventure Cycling members visiting Missoula via other modes of travel. You can now 'meet' many of our visitors on the Internet; because of our switch from Polaroids to digital snaps, we have been able to upload these images to our Flickr site.

"Thanks to everyone who’s come by this year, said hello, filled our pin boards with their smiling faces, and pedaled on in search of adventure. If you haven’t come to our Missoula office yet, please make plans to ride here, enjoy the free ice cream and soda, and pick up the friendly vibe of America’s bike travel mecca."