Halfway is great.
ONLY halfway, at this point? Not so great.
TL/DR: this may be the first time I’ve cycled Bike the Barns WITHOUT A DUCK ON MY HEAD!
(Let alone several).
TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO REGISTER FOR THE RIDE! If you’re in the area, come ride along with me!
TODAY IS NOT THE LAST DAY TO SUPPORT THE RIDE, by any means (don’t want to cause confusion there.) BUT IT’S GETTING CLOSE!
In previous years, I’d rely on Twitter and Facebook to get the word out about this. But Twitter’s now “pay-to-play,” and while I had 25,000 followers there at one time, the few posts I make have an anemic reach. I get more traction from smaller platforms where I might have a couple of thousand followers.
Similarly, Facebook’s algorithm has become wack, and posts with links away from the site have likewise become deprioritized.
There’s more than a little self-inflicted pressure I’m putting on myself, for sure, but in previous years, the Army of Dorkness (ie, folks supporting the charity through my ride) have made up 50% or more of the overall fundraising for the FairShare Coalition’s “Partner Shares” program.
Nearly 100% of the money the Partner Shares program raises goes directly to farmers, who then send farm-fresh CSA boxes of organic food to local low-income families.
I suppose, right now, what I’m trying to say is…
HALP!
If you can support the ride financially, that’s AMAZING.
But money’s tight – I get it – so even if you don’t have the wherewithal to back the ride financially, just getting the word out and about is more important now than it’s ever been.
And even if you HAVE been able to support the ride this year (*THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU), getting the word out is a fabulous way to double your impact.
I am GUESSING the best place to direct people to is this one, on the Dork Tower blog page, which actually has photos of the rewards and various levels:
I’d DEEPLY appreciate any help in getting the word out.
So would the Duck.
I hate that Duck…
But I like getting food to low-income families more.
And I’d feel bad making the Duck lonely…
- John