Keepin' On Keepin' On

Holy moly! Time flies when you are trying to build up your calf muscles or just get in shape so you don't die on the first day of a cross country bike trip that will eventually come. About three and a half months people, THREE AND A HALF MONTHS (come March)! A lot has been happenin' so let me fill you in. 

Snow. About a foot of it. Rain, about four inches just today accompanied by thunder and lightning (although I did enjoy the sounds, but I've also been inside all day). Ice. Danger, Will Robinson. Sunshine. Makes all aforementioned precipitation slushy and sloshy. Welcome to Northeast Missouri! To combat this, I have been doing a lot of spinning at the Rec Center to get used to being on a bike because we all know that braving a Kirksville winter is quite impossible on a bike. 

I've been hoping for warm weather so I can finally get outside on my bike...which I ordered!!! It is going to be a black and red beauty. And I got my shoes in the mail today too and though we haven't been on a ride together yet, I think it'll be a match made in heaven. So while I daydream about riding outside, I can dress in my new shoes, biking shorts, jersey, and pretend that I get to do the real shebang. (Does that remind you of William Hung's American Idol audition because that's right where my mind went when I wrote that...)

On a semi-serious note, I have fundraised $2,525! I'm over half way there! That is incredible and I have some really awesome donors who love me. All I can say is that I am beyond humbled by having that much already. And so a shout out is in order: to all my donors, THANK YOU. Your generosity and support is overwhelming and I couldn't think of a better cause to be working for. If you want to donate to this affordable housing, check out my profile at http://bikeandbuild.org/rider/7263. 

I'll be checking back in soon. Nasdrave and Ride on. 

And So It Goes...

As my last semester gets underway, I have more than school on the brain. Yes, classes are important (you are talking to a soon-to-be-graduating senior though...), but the prospect of sunshine, biking shorts, and meeting 32 other adventurous people have me somewhat preoccupied. 

With a non-profit called Bike and Build, I am fundraising (Donate here to support me!) and will be raising awareness for affordable housing by biking across the country. Yep, you read that right! 3,993 miles from Maine to Santa Barbara in two and a half months. 

You think I'm crazy?! Well read some of my other posts from my time abroad in Bulgaria and you'll find I am just that, a little crazy, but in the best way possible! I have a bad case of wanderlust and the chance to volunteer for a really good cause. 

A few things I'm looking forward to this summer: 1) getting to see and know the U.S. by using my legs of steel...I'm still working on that. 2) making new friends from all across the U.S. 3) bulking up on my bike knowledge because flat tires and loose chains are inevitable. 4) building houses for really awesome and deserving families! 

Some of you might want to hop in the saddle and ride with me, others are happy to nod and internally think "This girl is nuts." Either is great! You can help me though by dishing out some dough (did you like that little rhyme?)! We fundraise to help the local affordable housing groups we'll be working with, among other things, and so I am asking for your help! Check out the website www.bikeandbuild.org. You won't just be helping me, you'll be an integral part in this trip just as much as I am, I'll just be sweatier and have really bad tan lines. 

And don't forget to tag along with me through my journey of the time zones.