Tok AK you have over 90 snowmachine riders com'n (cost, eat) - Alaska - Page 2 - City-Data Forum

blueflames50 · 12-22-2009, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by starlite9

That is going to be a brutal trip in Feb. They are going to start out in somewhat mild weather and by they time they get to Tok, the temps can be in the -50 region really quickly and most aren't going to be dressed for or expecting it.

They will be following a lot of roads, going to be rough on the machines too, lots of gravel in the track systems and such with all the road crossings...

Still would like to make the trip though, but will be working...

he has a great "safety blog" spot on the website. I know the ride from MA into upper Canada your gear (clothing, boots etc) has to be checked out and approved before you can ride.

Dusty Rhodes · 12-22-2009, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bortstc37

it seems to me that it could better benefit diabetes awareness and research if they just didn't go, saved all the money they'd spend on fuel/food/lodging, and donated it to diabetes research/awareness.
then they could spend 20 days educating schoolchildren on why they should stop eating so much junk.
i think it would probably have a much better effect. however, it would not involve lots of beer drinking and storytelling/bragging...hence it'd be hard for any self-respecting man to get behind.

that's just my long way of saying that i think this is much more about taking a trip, and that the diabetes research fundraising was just a way to help get sponsors and ease costs. and it sounds like it would be a lot of fun.

Actually, eating candy, unless you are going through pounds of it a day for years, does not,in any way contribute to someone getting diabetes, it is a problem, sometimes, for someone with diabetes. But....excessive drinking, even of beer, can overload the Isles of Langerhan and send them into shock, creating diabetes. Alcohol, as metabolized by the system, turns into sugar. Historically, Alcoholics tend to have trouble with both their pancreas and Liver, other areas as well, these are just the "red flags".

bortstc37 · 12-22-2009, 10:52 AM

well, depending on the age of the person you're trying to teach about this, you may not want to mention that. some kids will just go giggly at the first mention of alcohol and then you've lost the whole class!
but yes, you're right. though if you were to see the sheer volume of candy/gum/soda consumed by some of the students i teach, you'd probably be shocked...

melbern · 12-22-2009, 02:06 PM

More power to all doing something regarding health education and cures - snowmachiners and teachers alike.

bortstc37 · 12-22-2009, 06:02 PM

i was just thinking that it would cost several thousand dollars per person to make such a trip...multiply that times 90 people, and you'd have a hell of a donation to research. hundreds of thousands of dollars can go a long way...

blueflames50 · 12-22-2009, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bortstc37

i was just thinking that it would cost several thousand dollars per person to make such a trip...multiply that times 90 people, and you'd have a hell of a donation to research. hundreds of thousands of dollars can go a long way...

that's just fine....give me your address and I will send you a donation request just like all the other thousands of groups who solicit money and no one actually participates in the fund raiser! bet you will not send money just as other do with that kind of solicitation....file it in the waste basket! They are raising money and ENJOYING something in life in doing so!

bortstc37 · 12-22-2009, 06:56 PM

well, i thoroughly checked out the website, looked at the itinerary, as well as the list of donors. assuming they spend personal money on the trip itself, simply not going and donating the amount it would cost them would end up being a lot more money than the amount that they are raising. that is the only point i am trying to make.
i still think it sounds like a fun trip, but if they are really trying to raise money for research, they wouldn't be spending $300,000 in order to raise $25,000.

melbern · 12-22-2009, 07:59 PM

Very fair point bortstc, I was just trying to take the optimistic path, which is not a normal path for me to choose.

JohnPF · 12-22-2009, 07:59 PM

As with any fundraising event, you'd be suprised at the cents on each dollar that are actually reaching the recepients...

oneyear · 12-28-2009, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bortstc37

i was just thinking that it would cost several thousand dollars per person to make such a trip...multiply that times 90 people, and you'd have a hell of a donation to research. hundreds of thousands of dollars can go a long way...

Ive read this entire thread and I think that what your thinking is correct if we were all robots and sat on our fanny's and just made money to donate. But...

These snowmobiliers love to snowmobile. That is the fact, it is their sport in the winter. There are people that get on snow machines and travel trails for miles and miles for fun in the winter. I grew up in that type of atmosphere. If these people want to get together to raise funds, doing what is a sport for them, then why not? They are going to make some money for a charity and research.

Your suggestion that they all stay home and just donate the money it would take for them to make such a trip isn't totally fullfilling for them. At least give them respect for what the cahoney's they have to even take on such a huge task to try and make people aware of a desease, and raise some money.