Register for PKR25, Lil PKR details, insurance & FAQ
and a story about Olive
Greetings cycopaths.
Here’s your semi-regular reminder to register for PKR25. We’re about a month out! Whoa!
Here are more details.
What: An annual (self-supported) ride followed by eat/drink at our house
When: June 14, 2025
Where: We start and end at 451 Davis Road, Mansfield OH 44907
How much: Free (donations welcome)
Why: Because.
Should I RSVP? Yes you should. Click the button below.
So far, there are 29 who have signed up for PKR25. Will you be the 30th?
Short story time …
It was a great weekend to ride bikes. Not too hot. Not too cold. Just right.
Our five-year-old daughter decided it was time to ride a pedal bike this weekend. It nearly brought tears to my little blue eyes.
Both of our daughters had balance bikes. They’re great. Balance bikes don’t have any pedals. Momentum is created by scooting; when a child wants to stop, they skid their feet on the pavement or grass. The idea is to not overwhelm the child with all the mechanics of operating a bicycle — pushing pedals, steering, watching what’s ahead while also watching feet, braking, balancing. It’s a lot.
A balance bike simplifies things and gives them the two most important ingredients: balance and confidence.
Well, our Olive found both — last year. She’s been able to ride a pedal bike for about that long, but Olive … she takes her time with everything. This weekend, though. It was time.
Learning to ride a bike is one of life’s greatest things. It unlocks newfound freedom and independence. It can bring pain, but mostly it brings joy. You all know this. And now so does Olive.
This is partly why this year we’ll be launching Lil Pecker, the little precessional ride before the PKR. Bring your children! Let them lead the way before we launch into our hammering.
After the Lil Pecker, the kids will have an area to continue riding or to play on a playground. (Using an asphalted area and an orange park used by Mansfield Spanish Immersion School.) We’ll have snacks and drinks for them too.
Remember our friend who asked about bike event insurance? To refresh, here’s his question:
I am writing you on behalf of the (Made Up Bike Club Name) and I am the Vice President. We have always had liability insurance for our club, especially when we did the (One Annual Ride.) It has gotten very expensive and our club doesn't have the finances we had in the past. Since Jay and now you have organized the Peckerhead for many years, can you provide any information or insight into insurance for activities like this? Our club is an LLC but none of us are lawyers and they are probably more expensive than insurance. LoL See you at the Peckerhead! Thanks!
Well, I’ve been getting some responses to his question. (Thank you!)
Here’s what you’ve said. (I’ve given the responders some anonymity because they didn’t really know I’d be posting their responses.)
Cycopath #1: I've been using Kellie for special event insurance for community events. None involving bicycles tho. Give her a call.
Cycopath #2: I’m happy to discuss liability, waivers, and insurance. It’s complicated but the bottom line is a good waiver won’t keep you from getting sued and might not even be enough protection. A bad waiver is worthless. The nonlawyer response, however, is that life involves risk if you do cool things.
Cycopath #3: So about 25ish years ago I used to run a mountain bike race series down at Mohican Wilderness. Even though I did have a sanctioning body for a couple of years I still carried one day race insurance to protect myself as well as the land owner. I don’t recall how much it was, but at the time it was not expensive. I do know that it was through Cincinnati Insurance.
PKR FAQ.
Is the Peckerhead a supported race?
Nope. No timing chips, no aid stations. There will not be a sag wagon. This is a self-supported road ride through Ohio’s greatest country. Bring water, electrolytes and snacks in your saddle bags and pockets. Each route will pass the Duchess gas station in Bellville, where you can stop to refuel if you wish.
Any gravel on the routes?
(This info is from last year’s (2024) ride. I will update this as soon as we have new routes marked.) None on the Half and Full Pecker routes. Just nice and smooth asphalt with the occasional pebbles and sticks and potholes and roadkill. There are some short sections of gravel on the John Homes route.
I know this is a free ride, but I want to contribute in some way. How can I do that?
Thank you! There are a few things you can do.
If finances are your thing:
1.) You have my mailing address, so you could snail-mail a check. Write them out to “Dillon Carr.”
2.) Or send funds to my Venmo account: @Dillon-Carr-1
You can also bring a side dish for the food festivities after. Think cold, carb-heavy dishes like potato salad, pasta salad, regular green salad, chips, dips, veggies, etc. Most cyclists also enjoy beer, so you could bring a six pack, too. Or you could bring non-alcoholic options, like Gatorade or other sports drinks.
New this year: we will have a full fridge in the garage. So if you bring something, this is likely where it will be stored until it’s time to eat. (Most cyclists will start showing up between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.)
I have a food allergy, how can I communicate with you on those specifics?
Please send me an email and we’ll make sure we have what you like. (brazdill DOT 25 AT gmail DOT com.)
Will there be merch to buy?
Not this year, sorry.
Where do I park?
Woodland Elementary School has ample parking in its lots on the north and east side of the property. When those are all taken up, you can park along the street at your own risk. The pic below shows the school’s lots.
Where do I pee and poo?
Well, on the route … you’re kinda on your own. Might I suggest a great buy: Sh*t Kit. It has everything you need when porta-johns aren’t available.
I request that you take care of business before you come over to PeckerHQ. But we will have a porta-john on the premise for those last-minute tinkles and pre-race rumbles.
Can I use your shower?
Probably not. We will provide a hose outside that you can use to sprinkle off if needed.
*Any other questions? Please don’t hesitate to send me an email or leave a comment.
OK. Thanks for getting to the bottom. If you still haven’t registered for PKR, here’s another chance. Do it!