77 Days... What.

So the auction was an interesting venture. I didn't get quite the turn-out that I was hoping for, but still managed to raise about $1100! Pretty sweet, considering the circumstances... Anyways, a HUGE thank you goes out to my 'leading men,' who were absolutely fabulous. I'll post some pictures when I figure out how.

We have to have our accommodations secured by tomorrow. Each rider is responsible for two locations - I have Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz. Only one of the two places has responded to me, so I guess I should get on with the other one (Freewheelin' Farm). And tomorrow is the deadline for $1500 and I'm soooooo close.

There is now another rider from Victoria - Cody - and the two of us had an interview with the UVIC paper, the Martlet. Apparently we'll be on the front page of Thursday's edition? Rad. Picture included... not so rad. Oh well, I better get used to it! I'm on the 'external subcommittee' which means that during the trip, I'll be making presentations and whatnot to the communities we visit. Not by myself, but anyways, the interview was probably equivalent to the stuff we'll have to talk about while we travel south.

I cannot believe this thing is just over two months away. I'm a bit freaked out, but I guess we all are in similar boats. Or bikes.

Thank you to everyone who helped me with the auction! Marri, Naomi, my momma, Ian, Amy, Carrie, Raena, Shauna, Krystle, Lindsay and Marnie (my fabulous auctioneer)... you guys rock my world!

Hunks For Hire

So this event is on Saturday! I just met up with most of the guys in the auction, and they're super pumped; I'm loving the energy. They're coming out in suits, and to sweet songs to rile up the ladies... it should be a good time!

I've sent out so many sponsorship letters, but am still waiting to hear back. I wonder if the failing economy has something to do with the lack of response. Hmm.

Come to the auction! March 7, 8pm at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club.

Chaos

This process has managed to stress me out. We keep getting emails with more and more ideas for fundraising and spreading awareness. It's really difficult trying to keep up with everything, especially since I also have five heavy courses at UVIC and a part time job and a difficult living situation. I'm finding it all pretty crazy, and definitely miss my mother!!

Hopefully it will all sort itself out. We (the other Victoria riders and I) have been asked to set up a pledge ride here in Victoria. There are already two in Vancouver and Toronto, so one needs to be on the Island! If only I had some free time ... at the rate I'm going now, my next available chunk of free time is the end of Apri l...

My bike is now here with me. I just need to fit it to my liking, and buy it some pedals. And put some air in the tires. I'm super stoked to start riding all over this city, though! Training at the gym isn't quite the same.

The auction planning is still trudging along. I have quite a few guys interested, and lots of people around town who need some "handymen"! Now I just have to dig into my creative side, and figure out how I'm going to advertise these hunks.

117 Days Left...

Wow, time is kind of flying by.

Yesterday, most of the riders and I had our first "conference" call - it was this MSN-like program, but with more features. It was kind of cool "meeting" everyone... the face-to-face introductions will be better and probably less chaotic!

Fundraising-wise, a few other ideas have been created. The benefit concert mentioned earlier may no longer happen, but in its place, an auction! I've managed to get quite a few guys who have volunteered to be sold as handymen! Pretty funny, but I'm sure I'll get quite a bit of money from it. Planning the whole thing is a lot of work, and it's really difficult to prioritize everything (balancing school, tour, training, work, soccer, etc is crazy!). Obviously, homework is first, but it's hard to concentrate on any one task when I'm thinking of doing another! If anyone wants to be my personal secretary, let me know ...

It's awesome having Angie as one of the other riders. We've been banking off of one another, which keeps us both in check! I met Cody, a new member to the team, yesterday. He's been on quite a few tours, and we're going to bike around this town once my bike's ready to rumble ... it doesn't have pedals yet haha.

Thanks to Brian for his donation, and Marri and Naomi for their help with the auction!

131 Days to Go...

I'll just keep updating this every so often to keep you all updated on my tour.

There are around 25 of us youth (ages 18-30) who are riding to Tijuana to raise money for microcredit. We're each to raise a minimum of $4000, and I'm slowly getting there! This week, I'll be mailing off letters for corporate sponsors, and sitting down with some people to discuss ideas for more fundraising.

To get others involved, I'll be putting together a pub crawl and a benefit concert (probably at the UVIC pub, Felicita's) to get other friends and students involved. Plus, most think that partying for charity is an excellent excuse! Haha.

I'm riding with my long time friend, Angie, and I'm sure the two of us are going to have the time of our lives. We' re both so stoked, and it's coming up fast! We leave on May 31st from Vancouver, and we follow the Pacific Coast down for a month and a half. I'll keep this thing updated with all of my efforts and whatnot.

Thank you to those who have already donated! This would be Rachel, Carrie, Bob, Donna, Jason, and my parents! And the Querns - for my bike named "The Doug"!!

Here's the link to the online donations page: http://www.globalafc.org/blog/projects/riding-to-break-the-cycle/mexico/ However, we do lose a bit of money with the online process, so if you'd like to donate and can do so in person or via mail, let me know!