The Pedouins, a family of five on an inspiring, 7,000 mile ride from Kentucky to Alaska, are set to arrive in Portland in the next few hours. Bill, Amarins, Cheyenne, Jasmine and Robin Harrison have been riding a five-seater tandem bike, road-schooling their kids (ages 2 to 6) and relying on the hospitality of strangers to complete their epic journey.
After a brief stop to chat with kids at Buckman Elementary School, they plan to spend two nights in Portland at the home of local bike advocate Angela Koch. Koch and her family along with Joe “Metal Cowboy” Kurmaskie (who knows a thing or two about family bike adventures himself) will host the Harrisons for a fundraiser and potluck tonight in Southeast.
The event is at 2231 SE Ash Street from 5:30 to 8:00pm.
Angela says to bring your favorite dish and something to drink and to also “bring your wallet so you can donate some cash to help keep them rolling.” Kids are encouraged to come to this family-friendly event.
Come out show the Harrisons some good, old-fashioned love and support.
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Come by early and help us set up – I’ll be there by about 4:30pm. Cheers!
Sorry, just seems like a big ego trip on the part of the parents. I think kids that age need stability, predictability, compassion, not a relentless bike ride with The Dad at the helm. Then again, maybe I’m just jealous. Won’t be makin’ it tonight.
-Ian
Checking out their track, they came straight up 99E. Couldn’t someone give them some tips? They just missed some of the best biking in the country…
–Bill
It will take me some time to get there coming from Vancouver. Think anyone mind if my potluck item comes from a store? Not exactly a chef.
It reminds me of my peripatetic childhood, only all at once instead of in 9-18 month increments. 47 states and 3 foreign countries by age 15, I missed AK MN and MS out of the US, also got Canada, Morocco, and Spain in there as well. This way will be more of a learning experience than a constant psychological trauma. Go Pedouins!
so excited for their family….met them while they were in Ventura, Ca. what a great family. As to the earlier post (Ian) sad to hear that you think it’s a ego post for their parents..If you actually met them you would change your mind and be blessed at the same time..:) just thought you’d like to know:) Praying for safe travels!!!! xoxo Laurie Weiner
Hey there! big “hi” to my friends the “Pedouins” wish I could be there to bring something good to the potluck…but I will paypal some goodies to keep you guys rolling….to the guy who “bagged” on your trip….musta been havin’ a bad day…justloved being a small part of your trek in New Mexico and again in Cali….everyone who meets you loves you all….hugs and grins ..keep pedallin’
In many cases it is sad when kids don’t have a choice to opt-out of the extreme hobby of their parents. How is putting a 2.5 year old child on an ATV any less different than this?
Call me old fashioned, but 2.5 seems way too young. Their home page pictures show the helmet on this kid not properly worn. Kids have very different sleep needs. The concerns are many, and don’t seem noted on the parent’s site.
There are a lot of judgment issues here. I don’t want to judge the bike happy parents. This is not just about the skill of the parents, but the combined skill and lack of judgment of every single operator of every deadly motor vehicle who passes them, turns in front of them, etc.
If this blog was atvportland.org one would hope that the fellow readers would at least make note of issues, and advocate for the kids. I don’t see any of that anywhere. That’s sad.
I be totally annoyed by mile 50 with the constant chorus from the kids, “My butt hurts.”
Having done many long distance bike tours myself, I suspect that the Pedouin kids are safer on their family bike than they are in the typical family SUV with Dad talking on his cell phone, Mom drinking her double latte, and the kids in the back watching a Shrek DVD for the ninth time.
I suspect the most dangerous place all of us typically live is inside our cars.
Hi
I just had to put my 2cents worth in here.To the ones that are so negative about this trip,I am sure that the Harrison`s have heard all of that so much,that it don`t really discourage them.They have got so many wonderful sights and memories to ponder.
I personally have followed this family everyday since they pulled out of their starting point in Ky.I have read every post,and viewed every photo many times over,and I have been so amazed with all of it.The love the parents show for their girls,you can see it in their faces.The girls look so happy and healthy,if they are sliding down a snowy slope in a cold place or playing in the sun at the beach,or climbing a big tree,it is wonderful to see the smiles on those sweet faces.The way they take to people they have never seen before just amazes me.You can plainly see that they are being taught to love people,and to show love and gratitude to everyone young or old.Most kids today do not know the first thing about showing respect,or appreciation to their own parents much less to total strangers.
To the Paul Tay remark,I am so sad to know that if you have kids,that you don`t have enough love for them to be able to spend enough time with them to experience a little discomfort,you have missed out on so much,not to mention what your kids have missed.Who loved them when they were sick or hurting,apparently you didn`t have the patients for it.I am sorry if this offends,but it just hurts me so much to know there are so many people that want to judge what others are doing,why not just be happy that these people are giving their kids the memories of a life time,that they can have for the rest of their lives.My husband and I personally took our child to every state in the US,and two countries in a small motor home before she was old enough to be gone from us,to make her own life and love her own children,and I don`t regret one mile or minute of it,or I don`t think she does either,we made life long memories for all of us to cherish.
I know this is long,and I apologize for it. Have a wonderful day,and may God bless everyone that reads it.
Its not like they are riding that far everyday. Like 20-30 miles or so… actually looks like dad is putting on weight.. 🙂
Kids are _a lot_ tougher and resilent, adaptable than people think. Not these children are even close to needing to be tough. Most of this trip looks very warm and cozy.
As long as baby is with Momma and Papa there is no “trauma” or issues.
Actually daily abandonment of day care is true trauma for a baby / young child. It is way-way-way worse then what these parents are doing. “Extreme” hobby of parents? How the TV-babysitter, that’s extreme (not giving kids mental and physical stimulation.. that’s what many would call criminal), How about video games, how about strapping the kid into a vehicle everyday, thats extreme, etc,
These kids are getting real life lessons, real school book learing and full time handsd on parenting.
Having spent a year in a not structured learning environment, think Lord of the Flies with perimeter guards, the real trauma starts when they have to assimilate to the caged apathy of the American primary school system. If these children are ahead of their age group in learing and learning skills then all the stability of that structured environment will teach them is mediocracy.
This looks like home schooling on the road and I’m jealous!
feal sorry for them when they get into canada and will have log trucks trying to pass on small roads… The big bike dosn’t look like it would hug the edge of the road as easily as a normal bike
Man alive – go out and have a few long distance bike adventures with your firends and families before blurbing out neg nonsense.
I could refute the opinions of danger, risk devoid of actual experiences and statements about the trauma, the logging trucks, the ego trip, forcing kids into rides etc. but I’m too busy rigging up the bikes to go out with my family and enjoy the oregon sun – with the Pedoiuns -(they will be at my house over the weekend before we ride them out willamette blvd, to hwy 30 with a stop at Sauvie Island!) Look – no one wants anything bad to happen to these folks so I know some of these opinions are coming from that place – but life is not without risk – the biggest danger is that we keep our kids in hermatically sealed childhoods, walking through industrialized education systems that have poisoned them with soda machines, junk food, processed chicken nuggets, cut off funding for arts and PE – or the dangers of them coming home to TV and more TV – our current way of living is the biggest threat to all of us. As long as we look away, or indulge in all of it without questioning and/or considering different ways of living then we get the future we settle for – oil spills, fat, kids and fat parents toggled to electonics 24/7. I don’t have all the answers and I’ll end this rant to go play outside – there – that’s part of the answer imho – go play and encourage others to do the same – move around, dance, plant some food and go for a bike ride – shed the cycnism that none of these actions will save the world and just do them because they will make you and your friends feel good do them for selfish reasons – that you’re kids will be happier and healthier on a bike adventure or hiking or playing outside – sing, play an instrument, make some art, god forbid use less and recycle and live local… end of transmission
I’m so glad to see that the Harrisons are getting a warm reception. We did the same for them when they hit Monterey, Ca. A potluck, light social, and fundraiser.
I can only imagine how the finance goes while traveling. I know what its like for me to do so, but with kids, et al… its a whole different story.
Portland Rocks!
http://www.AsanaCycles.com
(a shout out from Monterey!)
My son was 4 when he announced his intention to do a 500 mile 7 day trip called CycleOregon. It was his idea. I bought tandem and we rode each year until bike racing took over his life when he was 18.
People gave me a hard time about forcing him to ride. From my experience, you cannot force a child to ride a bike.
I brought my students to meet the Harrison family. I am hoping to inspire them to do some more distance riding.
I met the girls they are normal, happy kids who happen to be in the middle of a fantastic adventure.
Life was not meant to fit in a box.
Life was not meant to fit in a box.
love it.
“Life was not meant to fit in a box.”
bingo!