Cycling is a sport of beauty. The succinct sounds of a lone man meshing with his machine along a quiet road heightens the senses. When the peloton takes to the pave, the flow of dozens of cyclists moving as one organism through the beauty of the countryside is a ballet of sport.

Motorcycles are brash and noisy. The machine is merely a tool instead of an extension of the human experience. Fuel-burning, expensive, and dangerous these two-wheeled vehicles are the results of the industrial age. Rather than beauty, they elicit visions of smoke stacks.

“Where are you going with this, Pait?”

Okay, actually, I like motorcycles. It is a different experience than a bicycle, but the two forms of movement certainly share some common traits. For instance, people who use these two forms of transportation are often called “Bikers.”

Introducing… Bikers vs. Bikers.

Dan Wooster squares off with Jonathan Pait

I’m taking part in a fundraiser for a capital campaign for the dining facility at the University where I work. I’ve done this the last two years. Basically, we get people to sponsor us for a flat fee or per mile. We then meet on the back campus and participate in a 5 hour criterium.

Last year, a new endeavor started up. It is a motorcycle club based from the campus. They formed a fundraiser charity ride that leaves from the campus. They too are raising funds for the capital campaign.

This year, we are having a friendly competition — Bikers vs. Bikers — to see who can raise the most money. We’re having a little bit of fun with the promotion of the events. The poster above is an example. That is me – the cyclist – and my business partner, Dan Wooster — the motorcyclist.

Now, you can believe that we cyclists are having to work much harder for the funds we are raising! Those guys on the motorcycles are just out enjoying a tour around the countryside. The hearty few of us on the bicycles deserve your support as we put sweat (and possibly blood) into our effort!

Help me beat those bikers! My 10-year old son, Jonathan Jr., will be joining me in the battle. It would be a great experience for him if you would sponsor him for a few dollars. All you have to do is go to bjutheride.org and fill out the form. There is a drop down list for the participating riders. Just choose Jonathan Pait, Jr. from that list.

I’ll keep you up-to-date on our progress. Oh, if — and I can’t imagine why you would — you want to give to the “other” bikers, you will find their site at bojomo.org. Either way, come have a little fun with us.