Hatching Plans: ALA's Big Ride Across America

[Reesha]

Thank you for the advice, Blueberry. When you're busy and you set your mind to do something it is simply exhausting to be told NO so many times.

I'll have to get creative I suppose! The restaurant thing is a good idea!

[Sky King]

Reesha also what about a bake sale at your favorite LBS? And if there is a group ride and they knew in advance that you were showing up with goodies they would remember to bring money to buy said goodies. I am horrid about not carrying any money on group rides so that what made me think - need to know ahead of time

[Reesha]

Great idea, Sky King. When I am riding more often in the spring I will definitely try that. I am also hoping that they'll let me do a bake sale at some of the races I am not participating in next spring!

I made a thread at a forum that I've been posting in science 2004 offering handmade cookies of their choosing for anyone who donates at least $30. I've already had 2 donations, but they said the cookies were unnecessary. They were happy to help

Lastly, I am going to try to put together a small, but classy benefit dinner. I work in the kind of environment where people often support these kinds of events and so I'm hoping someone will be able to help me organize it. I've never done anything like it, but I already have a venue that's willing to donate wine. It's just a matter of tapping into the right resources.

Thanks for all the encouraging words, everyone!

[Reesha]

New blog post!

http://larissaridesforcleanair.org/2...nd-sufferfest/

Got myself rollers and a trainer and some videos. Did my first Robbie Ventura workout tonight and had a good time.

Avg speed 14 mph, 35 minutes, avg HR 157.

I'm planning to get some sufferfest vids for longer workouts on the recommendation of pll!

[Reesha]

I'm starting to be overwhelmed by the amount of gear I need for this trip. Holy smokes! As if raising the minimum isn't hard enough...

A lot of my bikewear is wearing out... bought it a bunch of years ago and haven't restocked. Need some really quality bike shorts-- ~80 miles a day for 49 days... high.quality.

I need a big tent. People are recommending a tent big enough to store my bike inside.

It's a looooong list.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a gear for a ride like this? I put a set of seat post mounted bottle cages on my christmas list... figure it would be good to have back up when we ride through long uninhabited stretches.

I need a new saddle, new shoes. Sigh. So much gear!

[Reesha]

I wrote a new blog post today: http://larissaridesforcleanair.org/2...o-get-serious/

I'm starting with a personal trainer who specializes in cycling (he's a Cat 1 MTB racer) on Sunday and officially kickstarting my goal to lose 15-20 lbs by April. I think I can do it with the right guidance!

In other news, I am at ~$700 in my fundraising... nearly 10% of my goal! Yeehaw!

I thought of a fantastic idea for a fundraiser I can do with students at my school called Penny wars. I am hoping my head of middle school will approve it as it's for a wonderful cause and it's in support of one of their teachers. It also won't break the piggy bank so to speak, depending solely on coins.

Additionally, my mom is in the process of making a gorgeous queen size quilt for me to raffle. She is donating it, and I'm really excited to see it once it's professionally quilted. This is the pattern she and I settled on. We'll be ready to start the raffle in January.

[redrhodie]

That quilt is gorgeous! I bet that will get you a lot closer to your goal. What a generous mom!