Follow my journey through the southern tier of America on my bicycle through my blog.

Thanks for reading!

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Total distance: 45.3 miles Avg. speed: 14.4 mph Top speed: 25.8mph Total time riding: 3:14

As you can tell by the title, I finally got my new Cat Eye Mity 8 cyclocomputer working...so that's exciting.  Pretty much all of my posts during the trip will have a title with the riding info for that day.  Today was much better than yesterday.  I had the same amount of gear on the bike, but I went further and longer and felt better doing it than I did yesterday.  I felt better afterwards too which is good.  I gained some more confidence today after it took a little bit of a hit yesterday.  Obviously, 45 miles is still just a little more than half of the mileage I will be likely to do per day during the trip...but it's pretty good for over a month to go.  Besides I feel like I would've been fine today if I had taken an hour lunch break and then did it again...which is what I'll do on the trip.

P.S. I want to say hi to all of the students in Mrs. Carver's 5th grade class!!!!  Thanks for caring about the trip and I am wicked (a word we use up here, Mrs. Carver will know it!) excited to get your letters.  I will write back as soon as I can! 

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

First ride with bike about 95% loaded with gear...and my legs felt it

Went on a 40 mile bike ride today and had perfect riding conditions: 65 degrees and cloudy!  Normally 40 miles isn't that big of a deal for me, but today I had my bike about 95% loaded with all the gear I will bring when I go on the trip.  I had my front and back panniers both attached and somewhat filled with random clothes to add some weight.  I also threw on my tent and my sleeping bag.  Physically, that was the hardest thing I've done in a few years at least!  The good news is that I finished and the bike rode well...just heavy.  The bad news is that it was a heck of a lot harder than I thought it was going to be and didn't feel too good.  Just as I was getting my confidence up about this trip being a piece of cake, today's ride put the whole thing back into perspective for me.  Today's trip was 40 miles with a  lighter bike than I will have during the trip.  Considering I will be going about twice as far with more weight...for about 50 days in a row...I have a lot of trainging left to do!!!!!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Had a good ride today

Went for about a 40 mile bike ride today. It was a little chilly but overall it wasn't that bad once I got going. The wind was a little cold though. Had my back panniers attached and somewhat full of stuff so was nice to get a feel for it. My new tires ran really well hopefully they can last me the whole trip if I'm lucky. Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

Friday, November 18, 2011

Big day to get stuff figured out for the trip

Set up new tires on my bike. I had never changed a tire before so it was a good confidence boost. Its not that hard once you get used to it. Just had to be careful not to pop the tubes since they were fine. Wont have to worry about that if I get a flat though!

I also set up my rear panniers...that wasnt too hard either. Looks like i can fit a lot of stuff in there! Want to set up my front panniers but they haven't ce in the mail yet. Thinking about packing up the panniers to see just how much i can fit in there.

The last thing I accomplished today was pitching the new tent. It's tight but cozy! even in a living room

Enjoy the pictures...

ps. I typed this blog on my iphone with my new wireless keyboard! that will definitely come in handy

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Why should you help?

Anybody can ASK for fundraising, but not everyone will ACT for fundraising....I'm part of the latter by riding my bike across our great country to help people in Haiti rebuild theirs.....I ask everyone to help with 5,10,20,50 dollar donations...ect. Make your first holiday gift a life-changing one!!

Monday, November 14, 2011

In order to help the Haitian people rebuild their country...I'm gonna ride a bicycle across ours

Do you know what's better than asking? Acting.  That is why I am going to such extremes to raise money for Executives Without Borders and their life-saving work in Haiti.

Today I rode about 25 miles on my bike as part of my training.  I was planning on riding further but had to stop to go pick up my new Iphone 4S!!  The weather was just about perfect for riding today...maybe 5 more degrees and a little less wind would be better, but it was definitely a nice day for a long ride.

I continue to get packages in the mail just about everyday and it is all stuff that I need for the trip.  Whether it be for my bike or to be able to live on the road for almost two months, it is all important...and costly :(

I plan on going for another long ride tomorrow...after I install my new bike saddle (seat).  Looking forward to more cushion and a bigger sitting area.

On a side note, I just filled out two shoe-boxes for Operation Christmas Child with Samaritan's Purse.  These shoe-boxes will go to underprivaledged children so they have something to open on Christmas morning.  You should check it out!!

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Serious training time

Time has begun for me to start seriously training.  I am going to be riding my bike for at least 1 1/2 hours every night.  I can do that because I have a stationary machine that attaches to the back tire of my bike so I can ride it indoors.  I also went to the gym to lift weights for the first time in about 9 months yesterday.  Haven't been able to go since I broke my elbow in February, then broke my wrist in June, then (and kind of still) had some throat/elbow issues.  Feels good to have sore muscles again!

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Officially started my fundraising efforts

Thank you all ahead of time for following my blog and for any support/donations you give.  There are numerous ways to donate.  The first is the website listed at the bottom of my blog.  That donation can be made by credit card and will go directly to Executives Without Borders.  The other way is to give me cash or a check.  Either way, thank you so much for supporting me!