Hatching Plans: ALA's Big Ride Across America

[Reesha]

Wow! I've been working with my PT for 7 weeks now and he's really whipping me into shape. I have lost a lot of fat and gained a lot of muscle, but really have only lost a pound or so numerically. Honestly, I could follow his nutrition guidelines a LEETLE more carefully, though. By the time I next see him, I'll be handing him the training guide in our rider's handbook for the Big Ride so he can tailor my training schedule to it! (Very exciting!) He started a website http://phasetraining.net/ and took a few of us disciples on a 50 mile ride sunday. The ride followed on the heels of a new training session, so I was pooped by the time I got back.

Fundraising is going going going but it feels slow. I'm at 20% right now and I was gratified when a bunch of my online friends collectively donated $400 in the last couple days. That was well-timed because my boss shot down the carefully planned penny war that I wanted to do in the middle school and I was feeling a little down about that. Lesson learned: do not hang your hopes on any fundraiser until you are sure that it is going to happen!!!

Still, the start date creeps closer, and I am hoping the looming deadline will spur my friends and family to make their contribution. There's no sense of urgency when you're asking them for support 8 months in advance.

[Reesha]

We had our first conference call last night! Such excitement! They did charge us with helping them acquire a fuller group of riders though, so please pass it along if you know anyone that might be interested.

During the call, when the event coordinator asked for a volunteer to design a jersey w/ Primal Custom, I could barely restrain myself from bursting out in interruption. I just finished making our team jerseys for my high school team (in production right now! eee!), and so I'm familiar with the process. I guess I'll be mocking up a bunch of my ideas in photoshop and sharing them with the other riders. They'll pick the concept they like the best and we'll send it along to the designers at Primal.

Here's my first attempt! I'd love some feedback!

[Reesha]

Jersey design #2

[Reesha]

The quilt is back from the quilter!!! I am so very pleased with the results. Now my mom just needs to bind it and mail it to me




I'll let you know when tickets are on sale if anyone would like to buy some raffle tickets. I can mail the stubs to you. The drawing will be at the end of May

[Blueberry]

That quilt is beautiful! Please do let us know when tickets are available!

[Reesha]

If anyone is interested in purchasing a 2012 Big Ride Jersey, we are putting in our order this week. You don't have to be a participant to own one-- it's a sharp looking jersey that will help get the word out about this great annual event.

We are ordering both women's and men's jerseys and they are sport cut Primal.
http://www.primalcustom.com/fitguide.html

Send me a PM if you're interested and I will add you to the order!

[Reesha]

A week ago, I came home from the Big Ride Across America. I am still waking up wondering where I am and why am I not in my bike clothes yet? All the Big Ride alumni I met promised that the ride would change my life somehow. Rip it wide open might have been more accurate, but the heads up was appreciated!

I went into the ride believing it would revolve around the scenery and the places, and came away certain that it had been about my fellow riders and the relationships forged along the way. I cannot recommend this ride enough. Life on the Big Ride was easy, and I long for the simplicity of it all-- ride, eat, sleep, ride, eat, sleep...

From front to back, I lost 3 inches off my waist, a few inches off my hips, and dropped to a size I haven't been since college. All while only losing 6 measly pounds. The gains in muscle mass are significant!

Here are some pictures of my adventure (just look for the redhead):
First flat of the Big Ride in Redmond, WA!

[snapdragen]

Congratulations Reesha! What a great accomplishment.

[thekarens]

Awesome! What a great cause and it sounds like it was an amazing ride.

[Possegal]

Congrats!! I followed you on facebook - even commented on a pic you posted from my home state. Sounds like you had an amazing experience.

[jobob]

Very well done, indeed!

[indysteel]

Welcome home! I'm so glad it was such a wonderful experience for you! Congrats on your accomplishment!

[Crankin]

So glad you had a positive experience. I also followed you on Facebook.
It was neat to have 2 people I know crossing the US on bikes, in opposite directions, at the same time.
Rest up, school will be starting soon!

[maillotpois]

Well done! So glad it was such a great experience. I would love to be able to take the time to do something like that.