Photo Shoot

A couple of weeks ago I sent two newspapers a press release about Bike and Build. Well, I recently got a call from the photographer of one of them saying that he needed to take my picture for the story that is going to be published next week! I met him down on the bike path with my bike and full Bike and Build gear (I borrowed by boyfriends old jersey) and he took a bunch of pictures of me. It was a blast, though I was freezing by butt off with shorts and jersey. Oh well...it'll probably be cold in the Washington Pass this summer. Anyway, I hope this story boosts my fundraising, which has now passed the 1/4 mark. I'm at $1220, which is exciting, though I do have to remind myself I'm not even half-way yet. Keep your eyes peeled for my story in the Worthington area!

Just Going Along

I had a revolutionary discovery at the gym last week. As you may know, the stationary bikes have been disappointing, but my school just bought two excellent spinning bikes. They keep track of cadence and have all kinds of fabulous stuff. Not to mention, the seat is great and the handlebars are great. Plus, I can read while I bike to combat the boredom of being indoors. Anyways, today I did a good 15 miles and I could've gone more!


On another note, I had a generous donation come through today all because I made my email signature "Help me pedal across America to support affordable housing - http://bikeandbuild.org/rider/5568." So, today someone emailed me back asking about the trip and proceeded to donate. I didn't have to do anything! Just thought I'd share if other bikers are reading.

Death to Stationary Bikes

I finally make it to the gym today and had a lovely reminder at how terribly I dislike stationary bikes. To begin with, they're flat out boring...the scenery never changes no matter how hard you pedal. To combat the boredom I decided to read, but of course with the distractions of other people working off those holiday treats, that proved to be difficult. On top of that, I couldn't help but watch the computer of the biker next to me, which added an element of unfairness...one in which I had a serious disadvantage. She was pedaling slower than me and at a much lower resistance...great! However, when I looked closer, I noticed her RPM was way higher than mine and her mileage far surpassed mine. There was something seriously wrong with my bike (or hers).  I pedaled faster to see if I could catch her RPM, but it wasn't possible...that makes no sense! Oh well! Alas I stopped biking at only 7.25 miles, fed up with the boredom and broken bikes. I will attempt the gym again, as I need to stay in shape, but will avoid those bikes like the plague.

On a lighter note, just before the holidays my knee started really hurting for no apparent reason (well not my knee exactly but right above my patella). So, just to be safe I ventured to a sports med doctor in town to have it looked at.  After a thorough exam, he didn't actually tell me what was wrong, but just said to roll my quad out on a foam roller.  I suppose this is good news...I hopefully won't be looking at knee troubles this summer.

And the training begins...and the fundraising continues

2012 is upon us, which means the next 8 months of my life will be consumed by biking. Having just returned from a major swing dance event and workshop in Asheville, NC, I'm a little melancholy to be averting my attention away from the swing dancing. It's good to know there are always other adventures waiting to be had.


Anyway, I'm ready to officially start the unofficial training and work off some of those holiday cookies! Here's what I'm thinking in general: a lot of swimming and a lot of indoor biking at the gym. This morning was a good start at the pool with 50 solid laps. Soon I will be posting a more thought out calendar for training, but for now my schedule is too insane to think about a regular workout schedule. I'll keep my blog updated with my training log on the Bike and Build page. I will also continue to update my fundraising thermometer there. 


I'm very excited to have surpassed the $500 mark, which is the required amount to have raised by the end of January! I'm preparing a press release to send to the local newspaper to try and rally support from my community. I'm also in the process of sending out a major mailing of letters to tons of acquaintances.  

Update

Well, my first set of fundraising letters have definitely begun to pay off. Bike and Build brochures are en route to my house and I'm preparing another huge mailing to be sent out after the holiday season (once people have forgotten their credit card bills from December). I'm also working on a press release to send to the local newspaper...hopefully community members will want to give their support as well.
Come January I plan on starting an actual workout schedule, something along the lines of swimming, stationary bike, and indoor lifting. I just need to keep in shape so once the snow melts (if we ever get any), I can hop on my bike no problem and bust out 30 miles. I'm exciting to start riding again; the cold weather can be very discouraging, though other bikers are already pushing forward with there training. I have no worries that I'll be prepared when June 20th rolls around, to get on a bike for 2.5 months and make my way across the country. 

Let the fundraising begin

So fundraising can be tough, especially during the holidays, but I have begun to raise some bucks!

Let me know if you have ideas about fundraising, I still have a ways to go :)

It's been awhile...I've been waiting

So yes it has been well over a two weeks since my last post...oh well it happens. Anyway, here's why. Two weeks ago I applied to bike across the country and build houses for affordable housing through a group called Bike and Build. My boyfriend did it last summer and it motivated me to do the same. Hundreds of people apply and are put into a lottery to be assigned a team and route...many are wait-listed...so naturally we're all very anxious to hear the news. Well, I finally heard today that I was assigned to my top choice route: the Northern US (the route beings in Providence, RI and ends in Vancouver). I'm super ecstatic and am relieved that my days will no longer consist of obsessively checking my email and application profile.

I look forward to the physical and mental challenge this summer! For now, this is all I've got for you...but stay posted for more information later.