Been sitting with this for nearly 2 weeks. When the fires started erupting, I held up just to see where this would all lead only to have a historic firestorm hi the entire West. So I'll be cancelling the Gold Country Adventure. It was a hard decision but it's the only option at this point of time.

In the meantime, I've had time to start thinking how 2021 may shakedown. For those that don't know, I currently work for San Bernardino County Public Health as the Safe Routes to School project manager. As schools have been moved to online, I had been reassigned to supervise some COVID testing events. Now I'm left wondering what happens to my position at Public Health and funding for my position. With so much up in the air, I've decided to embrace the madness and see what I make happen in 2021 with Wheeltales.

In a few weeks you will see a survey from Wheeltales where I hope to ask some simple questions about what YOU would like to do in 2021. I'm open for it all. I want to see if dedicating a full year to touring might lead to a direction I should move towards. But that really depends on YOU. I need you to get the word about these tours and I'm thinking with this current year keeping many people cooped up there is pent up demand for all the cancelled plans and vacations. 

There is another feature I'd like to bring to Wheeltales next year, a scholarship/sponsored riders. Even though these tours are more than reasonable, biking tours can be financially limited for many in the community. There is a younger demographic that we have not be able to to get onboard till this year. I will say having younger folks really added a new level of fun and I'd like to continue exploring new folks with different vision. How thins all shapes up is still being rough drafted but by the start of the year I should have the blueprints. So if you know candidates for such an opportunity, send then to Wheeltales.

That's enough for now. Please be safe and looking forward to seeing many of you next year!!

Peace and Love,

Mark Friis

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Well it's been a hellava ride so far and who knows where this all takes us. One thing for sure we could use a bit of a break from the madness and a bike ride is just what the spirit could use. With all the personal and societal changes that have embedded itself into daily life, Wheeltales will make some adjustments to accommodate safety concerns. With that we have had to adjust the calendar for current tours but also adding a few shorter events. Please sign up for the news above so you don't miss any updates. Thanks and now here are the revised 2020 Wheeltales tours.

June 21-27 Lassen Adventure $550

July 12-18 Oregon Gravel Adventure $650

Aug 16-22 Central Oregon Coast and Mountains$650

*NEW Oct 9-12 CA Gold Country $350

*NEW Nov 6-9 Santa Cruz $400

LOTS OF GREAT OPTIONS. LINK HERE FOR DETAILS AND MORE

March14- CA Central Coast (Paso Robles, Cambria)-5 days $175

May 16- Lassen (Redding)- 7 days $550

June 14- Oregon Gravel Adventure (Central OR)- 7 days $650

July 4 – Lost Coast (Eureka, Humboldt)- 8 days $700

Aug 16 - Central OR Coast (Eugene)- 7 days $650

Oct- New England Fall (CT, MA, VT, NY)- 7 days IN HOUSES $1375

WE MADE THE JUMP TO ADD MORE TO THE TOURS AND EVENTUALLY LOWER COSTS. THE PURCHASE OF THE VAN WILL ALLOW US MORE FLEXIBILITY AND OPPORTUNITY FOR MORE TOURS AND OTHER ADVENTURES.

If you have ideas of for some new adventures that a van might service better, let's talk. Right now, along with road tours, we are planning more MTB trips and a week long gravel ride for NorCal or Southern Oregon. Plus there is talk of some hiking/backpacking trips to Utah. And as always, it will be, pitch in, low cost adventures.

In 2010 a simple idea to train for an upcoming race launches more than Mark bargained for. The epic tale of how so much can go wrong but yet be so right in the end.