Come Bike Across America for the American Lung Association in 2012!

[Reesha]

As some of you may know, I've signed on to do the American Lung Association's Big Ride Across America this summer, a 3,300 mile trip across 12 states (the northern tier) to raise funds to fight lung diseases. We had our first conference call last night with the 16 riders who are already signed up. As of right now, if only 16 of us go, they will just break even. There are 24 additional spots on the ride!!!

The ride is FULLY supported so you don't have to carry much of anything with you on your bike. Included in your minimum fundraising goal of $6,500 is 3 meals per day, ride snacks and drinks; campsites/dorm accomodations; SAG support every day, and the support of other volunteers across the country who look forward to the arrival of the Big Ride each year!

You can also opt to do part or half of the ride if your schedule is cramped. You can contact the ALA: Mountain Pacific and they will tailor a new fundraising goal based on how much of the ride you'd like to do.


Here are some of the facts:
Dates: Ride goes from June 17th to August 5th
Start and End points: Seattle, Washington to Washington D.C.
States crossed: Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Washington D.C.!!
Average miles per day: 83
Century rides: 6
Rest days: 8
Youngest rider: 22 years old
Oldest Rider: last year they had someone in their 70's! But this year there are a few in their late 50's and 60's.

A few years ago, one of my former students did the ride. He said there was no other way to describe it other than life altering. He signed up with just two months to go before the ride began and successfully raised the fundraising minimum.

If you think you or someone you know might be interested, please pass this on! It's going to be an incredible adventure!

Some resources:
http://www.cleanairadventures.org/bi...across_america
http://action.lungusa.org/site/TR/Bi...try&fr_id=4444
One of the best blogs from last year: http://www.bigride2011.com

[jobob]

Wow, that looks fabulous. Perhaps I'll look into it next year!

Wishing you all the best on this, do keep us posted.

ETA: nice blog!

[Reesha]

Thanks, jobob! I'm super pumped-- I started planning to go this year back in Spring 2011. I figure it's never to early to start planning

If you know anyone that might be interested in going this year-- pass it along. I'm going to print up little posters to put in all my LBS's over the next few days too.

[Bike Chick]

Reesha, this is super cool! How exciting. I've always dreamed of riding across the United States and this would be a wonderful way to do it. I tell my coworkers that when I retire, I'm riding across the United States and they think I'm crazy. I can't do it this year but I will contribute to your fundraising efforts. Where do I go do that? I will ride vicariously through you. The route through Illinois is very close to my son's home and if I find myself visiting when you come through, I would love to join you for a day. Keep us posted on developments, will you?

[Bike Chick]

Reesha, I just read your blog and made a contribution to your fundraising effort! The best of luck to you.

[Reesha]

Thanks again, Bike Chick!

If anybody is interested in helping the American Lung Association get more riders, I made an 11 x 17 flyer. Yesterday I brought the pdf to FedEx Office and had them printed on glossy cardstock for 2 bucks each. If you'd like to print one and put it in your LBS, that would be awesome! PM me and I'll send you the PDF of the file, but for now here's a screengrab of it:

[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!

[carolync]

I would love to do something like this one day.

How does one go about training for that? I've done one century, but can't imagine doing that sort of mileage daily.

[Reesha]

Carol, the training plan has us building mileage throughout the winter and spring. They also recommend weight training during winter months to build a solid core.

By May we should be aiming for 200-250 miles per week and tapering just before the ride. The best part though is that we will inevitably ride ourselves into shape. We can take our time on the ride, stop for lunch, take pictures, talk with other riders. It's by no means a race! I am feeling more and more prepared for this trip. I really can't wait to post updates... it will be incredible.

[redonwheels]

Wow - that's amazing. I've been toying with the idea of a cross-country ride for about a year now... that seems like an awesome way to actually commit to doing it! I figure I'll try a couple shorter bike tour type things this year (maybe a weekend up/down the coast?), but I might just hafta check this out for 2013 goals!

[Reesha]

It's a really well-organized, wonderful cross-country tour. I haven't even gone yet and I feel that way... we've been having monthly conference calls since the start of the year with the ride directors and event coordinator. They make us all feel very secure in taking on this adventure.

Naturally I will be posting updates as I go!