Bicycle Touring 101: Mascots

Mascots are little creatures, usually stuffed or made of plastic, that hitch a ride when being rescued and somehow manage to ride along on tour after tour.

A common thread to most mascots is the discovery process. It seems that a cyclist will be pedaling along without a care in the world and a mascot will appear out of nowhere attempting to hitch a ride.

During the long ride home the mascot's story of potential doom becomes known and a need to save the little fella takes root in your heart.

The rest of this page will contain touring mascot introductions. Try not to laugh too hard because they are had to struggle to become members of the mascot touring elite!

Lenny's quote of the day, "I don't know about this touring thing. I often feel like I am just hanging around!"
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Lenny was discovered abandoned under a couch in a furnished apartment in Toronto. What gave him away was his chattering teeth from the freezing cold temperature in the apartment.

Lenny is a veteran of only one tour. With time he hopes to keep me company on many more.

Mascot Rufus
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Way back in the spring of 1991 when my son Tracy, a friend of his, and I were getting ready to go to Scotland on the first-ever bike tour (trip report is on my web page), I thought it would be fun to have a mascot. Because I was the slowest of the three riders, I was looking for a turtle of some kind, or a snail. Both seemed appropriate. Tracy and I were prowling the local likely-to-have-something shops and the first place was a small store with stuffed animals, bears on the back wall.

I don't know, it must have been love at first sight because suddenly Rufus (his original name tag said "Ruggles") was in my arms growling softly. I didn't understand "bear" then, but I think in retrospect it translated "I'm a traveler. I like bicycles. Take me home."

He's been on the back of whatever bike I'm riding ever since - every ride, sun or rain. (He doesn't, however, commute to work with me, rather he stays on the "real" bike (whichever one that happens to be at the time) and helps guard the garage. He's quite well known. People remember his name, but not mine. People from century rides recognize him. And people I've never met before say "You must be Judy because that's Rufus." What a kick! :-))

Relatively early on in the touring list, Rufus was under serious consideration as a big part of a potential logo patch for T@CO. Additionally, in 1997 he wasn't doing an especially effective job of guarding the garage and he and the bike he was guarding were stolen. The touring list was magnificent in their condolences!

Fortunately, about a week later, he was found, having been unceremoniously tossed in the bushes a block away. (Never did get the bike back.)

Oh, the picture of him in his tux was because another touring list member was visiting (the moose was his mascot) at the time my daughter was being married. So the two mascots were in their finery greeting guests as they entered the garden for Kim's wedding.

Mascot Just Plain Giraffe
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Let me add a picture of my mascot, no names please.. LOL... it is just plain giraffe.

Not much help, never seems to push any on the uphills, but I swear, I hear some Yee Haws, on the long fast downhills.

Giraffe was rescued from the side of highway 3, in north
west Oklahoma a few years ago. He has been hanging around on the back of my left pannier ever since, and even insisted on moving to the new panniers when I got them a couple of years ago.

Nice little fella, never complains about hanging around in the garage most of his life, but he sure enjoys touring with me.

This cute little fella is no problem to tour with...
His food expenses are negligible
He always agrees with me
He likes to stop where I like to stop
He doesn't hog the space in the tent, or sleeping bag
He appears to not have any bad habits
He never complains - well, maybe sometimes!
Introducing... The Intrepid Basil
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I'll clarify that I mean a tin can and not a "Can" can - you know some people actually call the "Loo" a "Can!"

A few years ago, there were a whole series of animals stuffed into cans manufactured for the tourist trinket industry - the cans were something like the small Pringles potato chip containers. Anyway, I rescued Basil from his compressed state and introduced him to the bicycle touring life.

He hasn't regretted my adoption and enjoys views from the bike seat much more than the confines of his previous abode!

Mascot Deogee
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I used to tour with a rubber chicken. He (it) was usually suspended by a hangman's noose if suitable support was handy.

Then one day I found Deogee sitting in the middle or the road just waiting for me to come along.

He has made nearly every Geezer tour since he joined us and even got his picture on the front page of the Lafayette, LA newspaper during Mardi Gras.

Mascot Garfield
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I had just finished pedaling to the top of 553 hill, which is a lovely mile plus crank up past the local ski hill, when he beckoned to me from the side of the road.

My husband accused me of ripping off some poor child's prized possession, but I suspect, given Garfield's infamous personality, that it was more a matter of rejection in a fit of rage.

What I'm really keeping my eye out for is a pink turtle, since I've been referred to as the "Energizer Tortoise"- I may be last, but I'll always finish!

Do you have you have a mascot who is looking for a chance to meet new people? There's room right here for them!

Mascots - Finding one and meeting several