Hatching Plans: ALA's Big Ride Across America

[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!

[indysteel]

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

Seriously. I would be all over that.

[WindingRoad]

Wow! That quilt is amazing! Your mother is a talented woman!

[Reesha]

Well I should say that that quilt is not hers... It's the one we found that she is going off of. Hers is still in the midst of production. Apparently the design is not that difficult to put together!

Anyway, when the time comes, if anyone would like to purchase raffle tickets, you can do so through my donation site and send me a PM and I will mail you your tickets (and keep the stubs for the drawing naturally).