Per Parker's plea

My fellow columnist, Parker Heinlein – four columns to the left of me – brings up some wonderful points this week. Take a few minutes, if you haven’t already, to read his column before proceeding through mine.

Done?

Thanks.

Parker isn’t just whistling Dixie when he says that bicycle groups racing through a nearby town is a must-write for the rube journalist (and he had no intention of offending you by whistling Dixie.) Every summer, without fail, at least one group will peddle through town during a noble pursuit to raise money or awareness for one foundation or another.

The story penned by yours truly two weeks ago about the youngsters from SPS Cyclist was not the first such story I have written as a “journalist.” I’d say I have written double-digit stories about bikers making their way through one town or another (The Hell’s Angels in Missoula was a doozy.) When SPS stopped in Dodson during their 3,800-mile trek across the country in order to raise awareness for the veteran’s advocacy group Ride 2 Recovery, I was invited out to meet and interview these young people and, once again, Parker is correct, it was a “slow news” week.

But where I am going to buck the trend my compadre writes about this week in his column is that I am going to follow-up with these seven teens and give you a progress report.

Right now.

When SPS started their trek in Washington State on June 12 – the Pacific Ocean literally lapping about their bike tires and feet – their mission was to raise $100,000 over the next 48 days. By the time they made their way to Dodson High School two weeks ago, and following the generous donations made by the folks there in Dodson that night --- they had already raised $90,000 ($631 in Dodson.)

The newest news on the group is that as of today, July 10, the group has surpassed their goal and has raised $104,823 – keep in mind that they still have over 20 days left on their trip.

In Parker’s journalistic days, tracking down the above update would have taken a little more time, or reporting, to write the follow-up story he has asked for.

Not these days…and not this ”journalist.”

I’ve been keeping up with SPS on their Facebook page -- http://www.facebook.com/SPSCyclists2013 -- but I must admit, without Parker’s prompting, it hadn’t occurred to me to write a follow up on how this group was doing (or the other dozen or so groups I’ve written about in my day.)

Thanks, Parker.

To donate to SPS, go to spscyclists2015.com and click ‘donate.’