Like the soon to be unveiled sport of bicycle drag racing, the theme of Bike-It was refreshingly simple - celebrate bicycling. That's all - just honor (worship for some of us) the fun of bicycling. No hidden agendas or commercial exploitation. The execution was, despite the obvious effort and leg work, again annoyingly simple. Pick a date, a location (the small industrial park's parking lot worked fine), charge minimal booth space, and invite anyone connected with cycling to participate. Events would include a judged show and shine; raffles for donated prizes; freestyle, ramp and observed trials demos; and...drag racing.

Bike-It had a couple of aces up its sleeve. Ashland has an exceptionally strong bicycling base. Exhibitors included local bike shops, the police department's bike patrol, the Community Bike Program, the Southern Oregon Historical Society, Denali Electric bikes, local cycling commuter advocates, and the Greenway Bike Path people. Southern Oregon is home to some exceptionally talented cyclists who took the time to participate. Not every town has a freestyler like Dave Nourie living down the street. Former NORBA hotshot, cyclocross god, and Ashland resident Jed Fox was present. And newly crowned National Junior Trials Champion Jeremy VanSchoonhoven and his dad Jim drove down from rural Williams. Add music, a PA system, and food and you've got a happening.

Once again, industry pundits take note. It doesn't take big bucks, cycling think tanks, Got Milk ad agencies, or a national organization to promote cycling. This simple event drew just the type of demographics you dream of - casual riders, parents with their kids, the hardcore bikies, curious passer-bys, roadies, recumbent kooks, week-end warriors, and even a few grandparents who rode down to check it out. This positive event was the result of a few people getting together once a week, making some phone calls, stretching an almost non-existent budget, and Jim riding around and stapling flyers all around town at vampiric hours. I encourage any bike shop to follow suit.

The calendar whirlpooled into event day, and Jim had his moment of glory. The drag races were a bona fide success. Riders of all types and ages on every type of bike imaginable competed, fifty five riders in all. The drags were held in an elimination format, with fastest elapsed time determining the final winner. Three rounds were held throughout the day giving everyone plenty of chances to participate. Up for grabs to the overall winner is a custom frame by local builder Brett Vegas. Overseeing the entire event, Jim is in his element. His dream has come to fruition, and by day's end it seems very dream-like indeed. Anyone who has waited months to put on an event that culminates all too quickly in a few hours knows the feeling when the day is over and you're trying to recount the what exactly transpired.

That day will remain a dream for all of us who were fortunate enough to be there. Jim won't be with us anymore. Drinking beers after the event we all recall how the most surprising outcome of the event was the enthusiasm of all the kids attending. Their fascination is almost tangible. They emulate the older riders pulling off miracles on the ramps, and get into the thick of the drag races themselves. Its now obvious that this simple, innocently conceived event has left an indelible impression on this next generation of "extreme" cyclists. This positive side effect was never anticipated, but in retrospect, the enthusiasm displayed by all the kids in attendance verifies what we often mistakenly take for granted - bicycles are cool !

The last time I saw Jim was at Daddy-O's, a local bar/punk club. In typical fashion, Jim had another pure but unique idea. He was planning a party for all the businesses and individuals who had helped and sponsored Bike It '99. Beer and food and fun as a way of saying thank you to the sponsors! I offered him my house as the party site and we planned to get together and set a date just as soon as he got back from his five year anniversary in Reno. Jim never returned from Reno. In the aftermath of the horrific tragedy, as Jim's friends gathered to celebrate his life, we all pondered what to do with the one-of-a-kind bikes, his bizarre collection of parts, and how to continue the enthusiasm for the new bike event he helped create. While the fate of the bikes and parts is in limbo, plans are underway for next year's Bike-It, and everyone has agreed to help promote Jim's legacy. Sponsors from the bike industry who wish to donate products, and local volunteers are greatly appreciated. Memorial contributions may be made to "Bike-It 2000 and Beyond", c/o Rogue Federal Credit Union, 415 Lithia Way, Ashland, OR 97520. For information, feel free to call Renee Berkman at (541) 482-4378.