Work it!

The last couple weeks have been hectic and the next few weeks are going to be more so, but I wanted to check in on here for a quick update. 

I survived my 70 mile ride on May 18. I rode with a couple guys - Jeremie Guy (P2S13), Luc Hale (SUS09), and Bishnu Panigrahi (NUS11, CapRide13) - and we had a great time! I was really excited to meet another rider on my trip this summer and was happy to find out he's completely awesome. It made me even more excited about my trip (if that's possible)! We rode through the chilly rain, ate BBQ, and rocked the ride. I'm going on another 65-70 mile ride this weekend with some fellow 2013 B&B'ers and will get a completely different experience (sunny and low 90s). This ride's weather should be a lot like the weather during my trip.

My trip gained another guy! He will be riding with a "scholarship" from Bike and Build. For more information on it or to donate to his trip, go here: http://www.capitalride.org/scholarship. He seems like an awesome guy and I can't wait to meet him!

The fundraising aspect is slowly heating up again. It's a wonderful feeling when someone tells you how impressed they are and want to give towards the cause. People are really "wow'ed" with this trip, but I feel almost anyone could do a trip like this if they put their mind to it. Once again, thanks to everyone who has donated to this trip!! I could not be more excited for this experience!

I want to send a shout out to all my awesome sponsors! Thank you to The Bicycle Escape, Deb's Hair Design, and State Farm for your contributions!! You are all great!

Current Stats:

Amount Raised: $1945

Longest Ride: 70 miles

Most climbing: ~1500 ft

Max Speed: 39.1

Training Mileage: >500 (no idea what my exact mileage is..)

Sweat Equity: 9 hours

Getting in the Miles

Yesterday I completed a 50 mile ride with about 1500 ft of climbing. I don't think it would have been very hard, except for the fact that there was a 20-30 mph headwind/crosswind yesterday for over half the ride. I had also only ridden about 20 miles in the last two weeks, so it was a bit of a shock for my legs to go out on a long ride. Next weekend, some of us are going out on a 70 mile ride. Hopefully that goes well!

I've determined singing is the best way to get me through long rides. Yesterday I came up with numerous songs for hills... one is along the lines of "these are the hills that never end..." Hopefully most of you will get that reference. For those of you who watch a lot of tv, I came up with this saying (thanks to the most interesting man in the world commercial): "I don't cuss often, but when I do, it's when I turn into a headwind" or "I don't cuss often, but when I do, it's when I fall off my bike". You have a lot of time to think about random things when you're out riding!

Fundraising is still creeping along. I have numerous people that have told me they will donate, but haven't yet. A bake sale is also in the works for June 1 or 2... more details to come! If you haven't donated and want to, please visit http://bikeandbuild.org/rider/6747. Thanks to everyone who has donated and thank you in advance to those of you who are donating as soon as you finish reading this =D Every little bit, even $5-10, helps!

In other news, the Capital Ride is gaining people! We are officially at 12 people - 2 guys, 10 girls. So to the men out there, sign up!! I would love to see a more balanced group!

TWO months until orientation in Richmond!! WHOOO!!!

Current Stats:
Amount raised : $1745
Longest Ride: 50 miles
Most climbing: ~1500 ft
Max Speed: 39.1
Training Mileage: 435
Sweat Equity: 9 hours