Monday, April 29, 2013

Welcome to my blog!

Hello friends! Everyone I've spoken with about my Big Ride Across America has asked if I have a blog, so I figured since the Big Ride is just around the corner I should start one. For those of you who don't know, I will be riding my bicycle 3,300 miles from Seattle, WA to Washington, D.C. with the American Lung Association. The trip will take 7 weeks and I could not think of a better way to spend my summer!

I am a student at Hunter College, studying Human Rights and Urban Studies and living in NYC. When I signed up for the ride, it was kind of out of impulse, because I knew if I thought about it too much I would chicken out... but I signed up and I'm very glad I did. Training has been quite enjoyable thus far, especially now that I have a wonderful new bike and the warm weather on my side. I joined the New York Cycle Club and have been riding a lot with them, as well as on my own. Although Manhattan is not the ideal place to train for a cross country bike ride, I've been riding around New Jersey and Long Island quite a bit. I did my first century ride (100 miles) yesterday and I'm still standing so there is hope :)

I am really excited to be riding with the American Lung Association for a number of reasons. First, because they not only provide individuals with the resources to fight for their own personal health, but they are working tirelessly to protect the health of humanity as a whole by publicly speaking out against harmful practices that pollute our precious air like fracking. I believe that clean air is a right, not a privilege. Also, I am honored to be riding with them because my grandfather passed away from lung cancer in 1999, so this is a cause that is very close to my heart.

My goal is to raise $6500 for the American Lung Association and as of right now, I have a little over $1000 left to go. If you would like to donate to my Big Ride Across America, you can do so here: http://action.lung.org/site/TR/Bike/ALAMP_Mountain_Pacific?px=5054311&pg=personal&fr_id=6630

Thank you all so much for your support. I have been blown away by the generosity from friends, family, and even perfect strangers who have contributed and encouraged me.

Although I don't have all that much to report right now, once I am on the road I hope to be posting updates everyday so be sure to keep checking back :)