Paddling planet proponents participate publicly

Sustainability really floats our boat; and to prove it, last weekend we put together a team of Tricycle employees, their significant others and fans of sustainable design. The event was the Chattanooga Dragon Boat Festival, benefiting the TC Thompson Children's Hospital here in Chattanooga.

Fearlessly defying a weather forecast calling for showers, we competed with 44 other teams on what turned out to be a stunningly beautiful Saturday. Each 21 person team paddled a 40 foot long canoe in timed races, all vying for a chance to compete in the final, championship race.

Music and cultural events rounded out the day, but the fierce competition was never far from mind. Though we dreamed of dragon boating glory, at the end of the races our average time placed us just slightly ahead of the middle of the field. We're already working on our strategy for next year.

Here's a gallery of pictures from the festival, and a link to the local news channel's interview of Tricycle's own panicky, paddling pirate.