Metal
Cowboy & Family 2007
Trans-Canada Bicycle Adventure
Statement
In 2005 best selling author Joe "Metal Cowboy" Kurmaskie took sons Quinn and Enzo (then age
7 & 5) on a 2 month, 4000+ mile long bicycle adventure across
America from Portland, OR to Washington DC. The trip was featured as a
cover story for Bicycling magazine. Joe rode on a standard touring
bicycle with a trail-a-bike attached to his rear rack and a trailer
attached to the trail-a-bike, the rig was over 14' long and weighed
over 400 lbs!
This time around the Metal Cowboy and sons Quinn and Enzo (now 9
& 7) will be joined by wife and mom Beth and toddler Mateo (who
turned one during the first week of the trip) on their latest epic
Family Cycling Adventure. Again, It’s all part of an upcoming
Bicycle Magazine feature Article called "Off of the couch and into the
saddle".
They will be riding up Vancouver Island, catching a ferry through the
Inner Passage, hopping off at Prince Rupert, pedaling their way across
BC to Calgary, taking a train to avoid the heat and black flies of the
prairies, then putting rubber to the road again all the way to Nova
Scotia. There will be no back up or support vehicle of any kind, they
will be fully self supported carrying everything they need on the bike.
The reason
for such a trip? The Metal Cowboy believes that kids spend
way to much time indoors and in front of a TV or computer, "We are on this quest to show
all parents that you can have a great outdoor family vacation regardless of
age or ability. You don't have to ride across Canada like we are but
you can absolutely enjoy a weekend of riding and camping, even
if it's only 10 miles a day. And on such a trip your family
will grow closer and stronger. And you get to know your kids again!"
Joe "Metal Cowboy" Kurmaskie
The Metal Cowboy is determined to find a cure for what he calls X-Box
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and is starting a summer camp for kids called
Camp Creative, an Arts and Expedition (primarily bicycle expeditions)
Summer Camp based in the Columbia Gorge Area of Oregon. As well Joe and
partner Gary Hancq are offering Rolling Roads Bicycle Tours as a way
for adults and families to go on their own similar Grand Adventure.
"Some folks
are intimidated by the idea of going on a solo grand adventure by
bicycle, it does take a considerable amount of planning and a certain
amount of know-how. At Rolling Roads we take care of the equipment,
planning and preparation for these types of adventures so our guests
can simply enjoy the ride, the scenery and the outdoors."
Gary Hancq - President, Rolling Roads
*All proceeds from Rolling Roads tours benefit and support Camp
Creative.
Notes:
They Family originally started out on a 3 seat tandem bicycle (see
below left) pulling a trial-a-bike with a trailer attached behind that!
However they soon decided that they needed to downsize the 3 seat
tandem (see below right) for safety reasons.
Have a look at the
monstrosity they will be pedaling Across Canada!
Click on a picture for a larger image
Original
Triple Tandem with Trail-a-bike and trailer
Downsized
Tandem with
Trail-a-bike and Trailer.
Beth’s
New Wheels!
(Note the panniers)
Media
Resources
Overview Biographic
information, images, video, book excerpts and up to date blog entries
are among the various media resources available on this web site for
media use. If you need any additional information please use the
following contacts:
Metal
Cowboy General Pages Bio
- Joe's Biography Excerpts
- Excerpts and samples from Joe's Books and Articles Blog
- Metal Cowboy Mayhem Blog Contest
Page - Trans-Canada Contest (Sponsored by
Bicycling Magazine and Rolling Roads Bicycle Vacations) Camp
Creative - Camp Creative
Page Rolling
Roads -
Rolling Roads Metal Cowboy Signature Vacations
2007
Trans-Canada Family Bicycle Adventure pages Video
- NBC Video interview from KGW TV
Portland, OR Blog
- Metal Cowboy Mayhem Blog (in depth coverage of the
adventure) Location
- Where are they now page Photos
- Trans-Canadian Photo Gallery (Metal Cowboy
photos) Contest
Photos - Trans-Canadian Photo Contest Gallery
(fan contest photos)
What
the press and others say about the Metal Cowboy
Media
Comments "Give Huck Finn a bicycle, give
Armstrong a sense of humor and Kerouac a good editor and you have Joe
Kurmaskie's latest road trip."
-Tom Lang, author of Coffee and Mrs. Claus
"An
infectious celebration of life."
-The
Boston Globe
"Kurmaskie rolls with a keen
sense of comedy and a big heart."
-Christopher Moore, author of Lamb and A Dirty Job
"David Sedaris trapped in the
body of Lance Armstrong."
- The Arizona Star
Live Performances "As good as it
gets
in the author presentation business."
Judith
Chandler, Third Place Books, Seattle
"Brought the room to its feet."
Books Etc. -
Portland, Maine
"Hands
down the best performance of the year. Lively, thoughtful. People
laughed to the point of tears. I'd like to have the cowboy back as soon
as possible."
Tom Gerald -
University of Oregon events
"Inspired and funny is something we
rarely have come together in one presenter."
Jefferson High
School
"The Cowboy rides high above your
typical pack of performers."
Dave Shaw - Seattle
Bike Expo director
"We need to have the cowboy saddle up and speak on our main stage every
year."
Cheryl Nagoni, Organizer, Cycle Oregon (weeklong cross state ride/tour)
"The most entertaining & inspiring live theatrical show in
ages.
The Metal Cowboy makes our bestseller list on the strength of his
performance alone."
Powells Books
July 31 Saturday Tour de Cure Hillsboro Stadium
Hillsboro, Oregon
Performance/book-signing
August 2010
Sunday August 15th
Sunday Parkways
10am to 4pm
Location: Lincoln St. Portland Oregon
Mia Birk/Cadence Press Party
Free food, music festivities
booth and book-signing
