Thursday, February 19, 2026

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry

Bike Path from 7 Corners to OMSI

 
















Games and movement coalesced and captivated in just the first few feet upon entering  OMSI

The "Team Zane " Crew were perfect additions to the spectacle. Like royal charges, they thought and laughed, while their protective security detail filmed them.

At one point or another, most asked "why not a longer bike ride?"


Little did they know, a long ride was certainly in the plan, but just not today. 

First we had to train their team mates, captains, elders, and  mothers. All one in the same person, of course. From it's most basic state, they were becoming a true beginner-level women's cycling team.

Their pack of coaches and racers were leaving OMSI as soon as the children's bikes were locked up.

The route, the pacelines, and the pain. It all needed to be learned by the parents first, at least on this team, that's the rule.

 

Grace and New Seasons

PIZZA


Anticipation for the bicycle ride from Seven Corners to OMSI, varied across the team.
Some dreaded the cold and the rain, while others awoke at the break of day, wide eyed and ready to go.

  
Standing alert at front the door was the smiling store assistant manager Aime, "Hello, welcome to New Seasons," she said to the children as they approached.
"Come this way," she said and waived as she turned.

Unfolding as the children approached the back corner of the store, lo and behold a dining room was waiting for them, and it was filled with

pizza. All sorts of pizza! 

Thanks to the well healed gift card loaded up by New Seasons Community Impact Manager, Karen.
"We are happy to support your ride!" Karen said.

What a spot this was for an inner city cycling team to meet up and roll out. Carefully positioning their bikes on the team van out of the way, the children's team was a spectacle drawing smiles from the grocery shoppers making their Saturday buys.

Everyone was so kind to the cycling team. 

Aime was everywhere at just the right time. Always helpful, even her pizza chefs were sweet and kind. - urging the children to have another slice - any flavor they might want. 


What a perfect way to start a Saturday ride to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.


To see more adventures of Bicycles and Ideas for Kids' Empowerment, hit the CYCLISME at the top.

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Rispa's Difference




Helping,  saves hearts and 
minds.


Casual effort at the fingertips of the talented scholar catalyzes growth in the gentle mind, body and spirit of the junior.  

Our junior hungry and worried about signals of academic, and emotional starvation at the early mileposts of grade school accomplishment, sees the scholar appear on the horizon, and is relieved.

Her protection preservation begins behind the scenes and blossoms forward to appear at a meal, then in your front driveway.

Ordering tickets, making reservations, calling for everyone to line up. She reminds us "we are late," so we pick up the speed.

When the chess champion is mentioned, she claps emphatically.

The plan is solidified with her editing eye.The proposal is submitted with  her administrative perfection.

Every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon Rispa arrives at the Ford house to take Elante to SYLVAN Reading Academy.

Before they go in to the after-school program, she buys Elante a savory cheesy croissant, and a healthy fruit smoothy.

Rispa's work as development director often morphs into soccer coach, and school teacher at the helm on a field trip.

Her pen is the mightiest tool she wilds seeking scraps of funding for the trips her students enjoy.

Bicycles Trips give a moment of American entitlement to every kid. Cycling is the vehicle with which to sprint after all sorts of goals. If literacy is your destination, then "good racing."

b.i.k.e. uses the city to strengthen resiliency and bridge all gaps. With tools like Portland Art Museum, Oregon Museum of Science & Industry, Portland Parks Department, and Multnomah Public Library, discovery and excitement simply ensue.


Suppport Rispa's purchase of after school snacks: kidsofbike.org

Hats off to Knott Street Boxing Gym, New Seasons Market, and River City Bicycles.

Investing in Champions

Stretch to feel the Joy







Seeing the good in one 
another, 
and then helping them reach for glory 
is one of life's great endeavors.

    When investing time, and talent, quality grows. Money pays for the class, but talent brings the quality. 
Sarah Joy swims so much that she knows just what moves to make before getting into the water. 
Fire up
!

Sarah Joy knows a 3 millimeter swim suit is ideal for her pals standing in waste-deep luke warm water listening to their instructor's instructions for a half hour on a cold January morning. 

So Sarah Joy made sure Mikiah and Elante had those clothes in a black ARENA swim bag on day one.

They both have swim goggles, and Mikiah even has a swimmer's hoodie, because Mikiah likes hoodies.

Sunday, February 15, 2026

Nurturing Growth








Bicycles and Ideas for Kids' Empowerment 
as an organization, keep an eye out for the 
athletes missing from the sport of cycling, then
recruits them to a team, then supports their trajectory toward college, and Championship.

Whether a racer needs a rain coat, clip-in pedals, a faster bicycle, 
or help learning to read, b.i.k.e. provide's support.
In every case b.i.k.e. also serves food, every time.


We try to dress beginners up, sharp! Thanks to gifts from the local bicycle racing community, the kids of b.i.k.e. wear long sleave skin suits and wear haute couture leg warmers just TO PRACTICE!

Process provides a lifestyle of benevolence, good form, simplicity and team. Fun and hard work go hand in hand when the goal is leg speed and power.

Giving a young athlete what they need might be about more than food, it might be about reading, or running, or connections to the city. At Bicycles and Ideas for Kids' Empowerment, we strive to help families thrive.

"Poor kids, through no fault of their own, are less prepared by their families, their schools, and their communities to develop their God-given talents as fully as rich kids".
                                                                      
   Robert Putnam Our Kids:The American Dream in Crisis