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Family tandem bike polo - the winning Tandems entry for Greg Haun and family.
WHAT A GREAT RESPONSE we had to our 2004 Friday Foto and Story contest!
We're only just now able to announce winners and award prizes (since the prizes are just off off the lathe and out of the paintbooth). THANK YOU! Your pictures and words will bring a lot of joy, inspiration and downright wishful thinking to the many Bike Friday owners and future owners who'll be seeing them in the Foldable Flyer, What Do You Do Gallery, the Monthly Travel Story, Bike Friday Home Page news articles, and the new, downloadable 2005 Bike Friday Catalog.
What was the criteria for winning? It was less about technical excellence and more about feeling: An appealing shot with a sense of the pure enjoyment a Bike Friday can offer. It certainly helped if you were riding your Bike Friday, rather than standing beside it - but we know that's difficult especially when traveling solo.
For the Story Contest, we're always looking for personal and opinionated commentary rather than simply trip reports. A good selection have been compiled in our Holiday Reading Guide 2004. The Story Contest winner this year was Betsy Schwartz, who won a GD folding rack valued at $100.
Each Foto Contest winner receives a special, limited edition, Flag Red pair of Bike Friday bookends to stop all their books by Bike Friday authors from falling in a screaming heap on the living room floor ...
Winners receive a terrific pair of bookends to keep your travel books like The Handsomest Man in Cuba and Ruthy Kanagy's Living Abroad in Japan in order ... U-supply the rest of the shelf. Pictured: the right hand bookend. The left hand one was camera shy.
These exclusive 'Book Friday' book ends (sorry, couldn't resist it) were designed and executed by Mike Gould, a local metal artist and fabricator who some of you might remember chatting to when he was one of the sales team long ago. Mike makes a few of the vital parts you can and can't see on your Bike Friday!
The bookends will soon be available in limited quantities for purchase from Bike Friday at $39.95 a pair.
So without further ado, pass the envelope please ...
FOTO CONTEST Category Winners (click on their names to read more about the photo):
A Landscape Panoramas
Ursula Vaucher and Yvo Fasel with their trusty Pocket Llama and Gnu in Iceland. Judge's Comment: They're not riding, but what an incomparable setting - you can almost feel that sharp, clear sub-arctic air burning your nostrils!
B Travel Trailer/Self Supported Travel
Nic Gellie, New World Tourist owner traveling Austria. Judge's comment: a classic shot of solo, self supported travel framed by a luscious verdant forest.
C Racing/Events
Leo Rutten does the Florida Ironman on his Pocket Rocket Pro. Judge's comment: If anyone thought Bike Friday's and the people who ride them are slow, this should make them eat their helmet!
D Tandems, Families & Pets
Greg Haun Family, Bike Polo on a Family Tandem. Judge's comment: Since when did you see a shot of a big wheel tandem like this - complete with balloon animals in the basket?
E Recumbent Adventures
David Bergen, Sat R Day, Switzerland. Judge's comment: This shot captures what armchair travel is all about. Easy does it!
F Strange but cool
Sharon Bouchonville + Llama + Kayak. Judge's comment: It's amazing what people do with their Fridays - because they can!
G Commuting and Advocacy
Carl Hemmings commuting in Melbourne on his New World Tourist. Judge's comment: A beautiful composition of shape, light and color, depicting everyday Bike Friday life to a tee.
HONORABLE MENTION:
These entries simply gave us a good feeling all over, and will receive either a Bike Friday headbadge or, if their bike already has one, a pair of Bike Friday socks:
* Nancy Meredith in a field of bluebonnets, AirGlide. Judges comment: Martha Stewart would approve of this fabulous mauve on mauve colorway ...
* Denise Brogner Family on their triple - including the family dog! Judge's comment: This shot nearly won the tandem category for sheer smile value. Everyone gets to ride a Bike Friday!
* Bill Corsbie meets a furry friend on his New World Tourist - all together now - aaaawwwwww .... Judge's comment: It made me go aaaaawwwwww ....
* Toshihihiro Uedafrom Nagoya, Japan with pet dog 'Macs' and his Pocket Rocket '99. Judge's comment: I shall defer to Bike Friday Japan attache Ruthy Kanagy who said: 'I love this picture because it shows a typical urban neighborhood in Japan - complete with the barber taking a smoke break! (wearing socks and zori - flipflops). I've never seen anyone pulling a little trailer with their bike in Japan (other than BF).'
Click here to view ALL entries in the PHOTO CONTEST 2004 GALLERY - sign-in not required. Click "VIEW PHOTOS" - you shouldn't have to sign in even though it looks like you do.
WHAT WILL YOU DO ON A FRIDAY IN 2005?
Keep those stories and photos coming in! Each month we award a nice little prize to the author of the Travel Story of the Month. This month it's 71-years-young Al Gilens on the Tour des Trees. For submission guidelines see the link below.
GOT FRIENDS WHO ARE YET TO JOIN THE FOLD?
Please share this link with your big-wheeled friends - we guarantee these shots will get them saying "I want one just like THAT" or at least thinking about joining the fold - best of all, they'll be able to join you on your next trip! You, of course, get a nice referral bonus if they buy. Send them to our friendly sales team Dave, Kurt, Peter, Steve and Walter on 1-800-777-0257.
Emailable link to this article: http://www.bikefriday.com/bf/photos2004
For more information, follow this link http://www.bikefriday.com/bf/fotocontest.