Events and Activities : Would, you, could you on two wheels? A unique invitation from VORC

The members of VORC (Vinton Off-Road Cyclists) invite everyone to come try out a fat bike on the miniature course they plan to set up outside the Vinton-Shellsburg Middle School (across the street from the Skate Center, where most of the Benton County Health Fair booths will be set up) from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 1. Bikes and helmets will be available so riders can learn what to expect if they try to ride the new trails VORC members and volunteers are creating in the hills near Riverside Park. The trails include teeter-totters and narrow rails called "skinnies." The idea of a VORC riding a bike on a teeter-totter reminded us of a particular children's author, so we decided to present this unique group in a unique way:   Imagine a place Where you'll see nothing odder Than a VORC riding a bike On a teeter-totter It may sound like a scene From a Seussified book But my friends called the VORCs Hope you will come take a look Come look at their trails Way up in the hills Past Riverside Park Where they promise big thrills   Just what is a VORC? And what are the features That you may observe on these Two-wheeled, helmeted creatures?   VORCs can come in all colors and sizes Both gents and ladies, girls and guys-es Among them are workers of various ages Entrepreneurs, sales-folk, poets and sages The VORCS are creative-ish Their ideas never stale They are never contented With a boring, plain trail They meet once in a while To put their helmets together And through idea osmosis Find a new way to share Exciting new ways That a fat bike can thrill ya Although you may think At the time it may kill ya "Exciting and terrifying"� Is the mantra they shout Tho' it seems "death-defying"� To a rider with doubt   With this unique inspiration The VORCS scheme and plan To build stuff that can challenge Any bike-pedaling fan     It's been nigh 50 years Since Evel Knievel Taught the whole world That riding on two wheels Means more than riding With both wheels on the dirt And learning with danger How to more safely flirt   It's a different bike This one man-powered version Tho' on She-VORCs, you know, I cast no dispersion Tho' they won't jump o'er busses Or a casino's big fountain VORCs know what the fuss is About biking on mountains Or at least on the ridges Along the Great Cedar Riding among the trees As a great uphill speeder A VORC on a fat bike Zooming over a "skinny"� Riding like Man 'o War But with nary a whinny -   It looks hard, you may surmise And you know, I'd agree But the VORC just replies: "It looks easy to me"�   The VORCS have a question First posed by that Sam You know the one: The Great Sam-I-Am "Would you, could you? On two wheels? Would you, could you? Like, for reals?"� "Would you teeter over here Or ride that skinny over there? Do you like to ride on air On a bike, without a care?"�   The VORCs have some counsel For the riders of bike Those whose first response is: "VORC, go take a hike"   Like that Cat in the hat The VORC in the helmet Knows just where's its at And how you can o'erwhelm it   And the VORCS invite you all in this way:   Though the sun may not shine You can still come to play - Both boys and girls Of young and old ages   And if that hill seems too bigly To take that first ride The VORCS offer this deal: They will help be your guide Show up, then, in April On the First Day (No foolin') And the VORCS will give you A free moment of schoolin' On what is a fat bike And how you can ride it And if you bring fear They'll teach you how to hide it   So...   Be your name Coulter or Birker or Schwan Staab-Hesson-Phippen or Jacobs-Erick-son Your fat bike is waiting For you to get on