Where has December gone?

Today is a pretty special day for me, because not only did I get a special package in the mail yesterday (my official Bike & Build safety triangle - as seen above), but I also handed in my letter for a leave of absence at my current job today!  These may not seem like much, but they signify the first tangible parts of my upcoming trip.  As for that safety triangle...one of the many required contract signatures for this trip requires that I will be wearing my safety triangle at all times while bicycling across the country (yes, mom, I promise!).  With that, I'm well on my way towards next summer!

I'd like to take a minute tonight to show my appreciation to everyone.  This trip couldn't happen without the support of all of my friends and family, so to everyone who has kept an eye on this page, thank you!  To my four fundraising donors so far, THANK YOU!!!  While I will continue to ask for help with meeting my fundraising minimum, it is the support and excitement that everyone has shown so far that is even more valuable to me than the fundraising!  I have so many things going on in my life now that I've been out of college for a few years and have so many reasons to not take this chance to do this trip, to have everyone backing me just means more than I could ever say! Thank you again!

Just the beginning...

Hi everyone, welcome to my first-ever blog!  Now that we are on the heels of Thanksgiving, it seemed appropriate for me to take a moment to give thanks for having the opportunity to make a difference by starting a blog about my upcoming adventure.  Over the course of the next year, I will be chronicling an opportunity that will be dominating much of my free thoughts and free time.  I thank you for coming here to take a look and I thank you for joining with me in this great adventure.

It was less than two months ago that I first heard about this particular nonprofit organization called Bike & Build.  Since 2003, this charitable organization has raised money and awareness for affordable housing, totaling over $4 million in contributions and 120,000 hours of service.  This is all made possible through yearly cross-country fundraising cycling trips and the hard work and determination of young adults involved in them.  Over the course of 2-3 months, the trip participants bicycle across the country and spread awareness about affordable housing by talking with locals, giving presentations, and donating time and labor at build sites with local affordable housing groups.

As for my story, once I heard about this organization, I immediately knew that I had to be a part of it!  From not knowing a thing about it, I have since applied and been accepted to be one of the 30 riders covering a route crossing the Southern US (henceforth known as SUS) during the summer of 2014!  I'll be heading out in mid-May from Jacksonville, FL and finishing up in Monterey, CA during the first week of August, completing 4000+ miles of bicycling with only 4 days of rest!

Words cannot quite describe how excited that I am for this trip!  Not only will I get to travel the country by bicycle (a long-term goal of mine), but I'll get to support a very worthy cause along the way!  I'm excited to spend 5 days straight building in New Orleans, where residents are still feeling the effects of Hurricane Katrina, and (if all goes well) to hike my way up Half Dome in Yosemite National Park!  In order to cover all costs and to provide some worthwhile donations to charity organizations and along the route, very participant is responsible for raising at least $4500 in donations, so I ask wholeheartedly for your help.  Please stay tuned on how you can help!  

Thanks!