Final Preparation for the Tour des Trees

The Tour des Trees is a 530+ mile fundraising cycling ride to raise money for the TREE FUND. The TREE FUND is the engine behind tree research, an important aspect in how arborists take care of trees and protect tree workers. This year the ride goes from Columbus to Cleveland and back...a big loop! We will have about 75 riders making the trek, rain or shine, wind or calm, cool or hot.


The thing about the Tour Des Trees is that we all have real jobs, busy lives and yet we ride. The months and weeks of training are behind us and now it is time to pull all the stuff together one needs for a week of cycling. This is the time you think about all the other things on your plate, in your business, with your family that perhaps you should be attending to rather than riding for a week. The cause is right for us tree people—raising money for tree research while renewing old tree friend connections and making new ones. Frenetic packing will soon occur while also trying to tie up as many loose ends as possible before the grand depart. Note to self—loose ends are never completely tied up. For me the 6 hour drive to Columbus, OH will be on Saturday. We will have ride check in and a very important safety meeting. Dinner. Sleep. Then we ride on Sunday morning, Day 1. 93 miles from Columbus to Mohican State Park. For me the first day riding is always tough. The body isn’t ready but all will be good. Nerves set in with everyone for none of us know what each day will bring. The great thing about riding is that one is somewhat forced to focus on the task at hand, for that day, for the ride before you. Riding is being in the moment and a lesson that can apply to each day and every situation.