What's the Story: Tour De E.F.D.

Editor’s note: Article originally published March 21, 2017, but has been updated to reflect the upcoming 2019 event.

We recently came across an interesting fellow who had a novel idea about biking in Everett, and decided to reach out for an interview. We hope you enjoy this inside look at Tour de E.F.D.!

Who are you and how did you come up with the idea for the Tour de E.F.D.?

My name is Tyler Rourke, and I’m basically just a guy who lives in Everett.

The concept of a social bike ride hit me one rainy winter morning as I was riding my bike to work and feeling a bit lonely. Where was everyone else who could be riding their bikes with me? Many an idea has come to me while biking, and as this particular idea gestated inside my brain over the following months it picked up some parameters:

It should be a tour of the city, covering a majority of the geographical area.
It should serve as an actual tour to show people around, particularly those who might not otherwise be familiar with Everett’s bike routes or this two-wheeled mode of transportation.
It should be geared toward regular people, not necessarily bicycle people, because there are already lots of bike rides for bike people. Those who think of themselves as bike people are welcome too, of course.
It should be free and not in support of any specific cause or fundraising event.
It should utilize Everett’s bicycle infrastructure to the greatest extent possible, including the Interurban Trail and bike lanes.

I wanted to know more about the old fire trucks on display at a couple of the stations, and one day I realized that those stations would make a good set of way points. Once I was able to visualize a safe route that connected the stations, the Tour de E.F.D. was born.

Do you have a long history with Everett and bicycling?

My wife, Brittney, and I bought our home in Everett in 2006, and with the exception of a couple of short stints carpooling to Woodinville, I’ve been riding my bike to work in Everett and Mukilteo nearly every day. When we were married in 2010 at Legion Park in North Everett, about half of the wedding guests met with bikes at our house and we all rode together to the wedding. Britt and I rode astride a classic brown Schwinn tandem.

Tyler and his wife Brittney on their wedding day.

These days we ride all over town with our kids to visit parks, the Imagine Children’s Museum, the library, farmers’ market, grocery store, etc. (FYI – Riding a bike to Sorticulture is the best way to get there.)

What is it about Everett fire stations?

Visiting the fire stations seemed like a good theme for several reasons:

The department serves the entire city, so the stations are geographically well dispersed, making convenient wickets for a bike tour.
Everyone likes the fire department. They are willing to help anyone regardless of race, religion, sex, gender, political affiliation, age, or shape, and they’re always on-call and available to assist in an emergency. Who wouldn’t want to go see the fire stations?
Firefighters generally seem like friendly people who like to support community events.
Fire trucks are mind-blowingly red and shiny.
It’s like a checklist. If you just focus on the next station the total distance will become less intimidating and you’ll get little mental achievement-rewards as you arrive at each one. At the end of the ride you’ll be able to say, “I’ve been to every fire station in Everett!”

Will there be some history lessons or facts shared about the various fire stations you're riding to?

I hope so, and I plan to ask for some info in that regard. I know stations #4 and #5 have old fire engines on display in special glass-walled garages, and there’s a very old water pump with iron-hooped wooden wheels at the historic station #4 near Forest Park. Riders will get extra credit in the form of a high-five if they ride down the little hill and back to get a photo in front of it.

Who is this event for?

This event is for anyone who wants to go for a casual bike ride and have fun. I will have my kids, Reece and Bryan, with me (though they won’t be pedaling), and I’ve got a commitment from a friend who’s nearly 80 years old. Folks are welcome to do the route as fast as they’d like, but we’re planning to go slow and just have fun. Basically if you are a person, the ride is for you.

Spandex is optional, but slightly discouraged; you don’t need special attire to ride your bike and have a good time. Wear whatever makes you comfortable.

Have you ever done anything like this before?

I’ve ridden a bike in Everett quite a bit, I’ve planned lots of fun adventures for my family and friends, and I’ve participated in organized bike rides. I have not planned a bike ride like this for the local community at-large before.

**Hypothetically, lets say someone's interested in going but they're nervous about riding 22 miles. Any advice?**

Not everything needs to be measured. In fact, many things can’t be measured. Let’s focus on that first.

This ride is going to be fun. It’s going to make you feel healthier. You’re going to see things that you haven’t seen before. Birds will be chirping, flowers will be starting to bloom, and there might be a few new leaves on the trees. You’re going to meet people that you haven’t met before, and you might even make a friend or two. These are the most important aspects of the ride; there’s no need to even consider the distance.

If you really feel the need to measure something though, which is completely natural, why not measure time?

Let’s say you ride at an average of 2x the typical human walking speed of 3.1 MPH (which, by the way, will require much less energy than actually walking.) At 6.2 MPH you’re looking at about 3.5 hours to do this route. Our estimate here is extremely conservative because the average once-in-a-while bike rider actually rides 12.4 MPH on average (or 4X walking speed) and could do the route in 2 to 2.5 hours.

We’re going to give it 4 hours though because we want the Tour de E.F.D. to be fun and easy, and we want to encourage those who may be apprehensive about it. You’re not riding 22 miles. You’re riding for 4 hours (or less) at a leisurely pace with lots of stops, maybe walking up the few short and slightly steep hills (that’s ok,) spending the afternoon with a bunch of other people doing the same thing. It’s like going to a baseball game, except way more fun because you don’t have to just sit there.

If anyone is still unsure about doing the entire loop (or has pedaling kids who might not be up for the whole thing), a ride from Station #1 to Station #5, or even Station #7 would make a good out-and-back option. These segments are almost entirely along the Interurban Bike Path and mostly flat.

And if you're still not convinced, come out just to see the cutest baby alive, Bryan.

What are you hoping comes from this event?

Everyone stays upright and there are no injuries.
Everyone has fun.
Everyone decides to ride their bikes more so I don’t have to feel so lonely out there…
Friendships are formed.
We all achieve a new or altered perspective, however subtle, that benefits us in a healthy way.

You're organizing this event with no support, endorsements, or sponsors. We dig that you're just taking the initiative to make it happen. Is this a typical M.O. for you? Do you have any thoughts or advice for others about taking action on ideas, movements, and the like?

You may notice that our local bike shops’ logos appear on the official Tour de E.F.D. poster, and that is because I did receive support from them in covering the cost of printing. I like each of Everett’s local bike shops, and I hope people will support them by getting their bikes tuned up before the Tour de E.F.D.

Other than that this has been strictly a Rourke family endeavor. (Editor’s note. Since the first Tour De E.F.D, Rourke has founded the Everett Bike Walk with other like-minded Everett cyclists. Learn more about Everett Bike Walk).

I am a do-it-myself kind of person, to a fault at times, so in that regard I suppose this a typical M.O. Since my kids were born, I think my perspective on life has been changing and I’ve been seeing things from new angles. I want the world to be better than it is (or appears to be) in many ways, and I’m realizing how much little things matter. The fundamentals, so to speak.

I think we all need to take a little more responsibility for our culture. Be a little friendlier, a little more polite, a little more engaged with your community and you might eventually inspire another person to do the same. You might inspire hundreds. Go out of your way to help someone.

I helped a lady catch her stray dog on my way to work this morning. There’s your inspiration, you can thank me at the Tour de E.F.D.

What should I do to prepare for the Tour de E.F.D.?

1. Make sure your bike is in good condition. The best way would be to take it in for a tune up at a local shop. At the very least check to make sure your brakes work well, inflate the tires, and give it a quick test ride around the block if you haven't had it out in a while. Replace or adjust brake pads or tires if needed.

2. Consider wearing a helmet. I am recommending them though I don't think there is a state or local law that requires their use. (I would also like to acknowledge and point out that wearing a helmet can provide a false sense of safety. Please be careful whether you decide to wear one or not.)

3. Plan on bringing some water and maybe a snack. If you have a small pump and patch kit bring that too, just in case. I'll have that stuff as well.

4. Dress in layers so you can adjust your comfort level as needed.

5. If you're not familiar with the general rules of the road and bicycle safety, look here.