TBE Sponsorship!!

Happy New Year everyone!! Today was the first day I've really done much for B&B since the last post... I figured taking a break during the holidays was necessary. Especially since I did so many other fun things, including: seeing friends and family from Huntington, traveling to Vegas, an ATV tour through the Valley of Fire, hiking the Grand Canyon (16.5 mile trip from the rim, to the river, and back to the rim in 7.5 hours), and celebrating Christmas with my best friend. There was much more, but that gives you an idea of my crazy awesome holiday break. Hiking the Grand Canyon made me realize that no matter how tired I am, I can always find the will to keep going - no matter how many breaks are needed, I will finish. This is will be extremely important on my trip as some days I will be tired and won't want to climb that last hill, but I know I can do it. I believe mental strength is just as important as muscle strength!

Today was a big day for me!! I worked out sponsorship details with The Bicycle Escape (TBE) (http://www.thebicycleescape.com/) in Frederick, MD. This is an amazing bike shop with extremely helpful employees. If you are in the Frederick area, check them out and you will see for yourself why I love them! The next group ride for TBE will be on Feb. 2 to celebrate Groundhog's Day. Please see the TBE website for more details. I know I'll be there, and hopefully my bike will be too!!

My other big news for the day is the fact that I ordered my bike!! I reached the $1000 mark over the holidays, and since the B&B office was in Florida for the Chris Webber Memorial Ride (http://www.bikeandbuild.org/cms/content/view/9137/302/), I wasn't able to order my bike until this week. I was fitted at TBE and sent in my order. I went for an upgraded bicycle rather than the free one for numerous reasons. Mainly because I plan on using this bike for many years to come, and feel the Avail 2 will be a better investment in the future. Pictures of my bike and the bike building process will be posted as soon as the bike arrives...

In other news, I invested in some chamois and a long sleeved riding shirt from TBE. Now I can ride a little more comfortably :)