Putting out the 30
For his 30th birthday, as a surprise, I assembled a unique adventure for my cycling obsessed beau. I christened it Lessons in Portable Music – based on the big gift (a new iPod) and the elbow-in-side “responsibility” it held. You see, his last iPod suffered two catastrophes involving the revolving spokes of his bicycle and the slip of an eager to shuffle grip. So, he had to learn a lesson in handling. I set up a four checkpoint Alley Cat race involving a friend & challenge at each location. The “Finish Line” was the restaurant Le Central where 25 of his friends twirled noisemakers and cheered as he broke through the crepe finish line. We celebrated Tour style with French food and wine.
Checkpoint #1
Each checkpoint presented a gift in the progression of portable music to carry safely to the next and a challenge to complete:
#1 Record Player – Use this silly bicycle paraphernalia to “pimp your ride.”
#2 Cassette Tape Player – Bike prank! Place the provided notes on windshields of cars on this block. (“We’ve discovered your car is the one responsible for all the damage to the ozone layer, please bike to work in future.”)
#3 CD Walkman – Run a bicycle obstacle course. (Set off 4 wind up toys & before they are done, travel through cones, & shoot basketball into hoop.)
#4 iPod – Carry this iPod Nano wherever you desire portable music, avoid dropping in spokes. But FIRST, guess 10 famous bicycle movies by sound alone.
I had to kill time before I revealed the Finish location hidden under the sticker instructions on the map. Who knew he would actually “race” through a one man alley cat?! We grooved to a group mix I enlisted his friends to contribute to, then we rode our bikes to his awaiting fans. Â Joyeux Anniversaire mon amour!
The Map!