The Bike

After quite a bit of research, I had decided to purchase the 2009 Fuji Touring 56cm [Specs and picture: http://ecyclingshop.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=24_39&products_id=103&zenid=68a6ac20934f60d5bc0a5c4549da5736 ] Since it was last years model, it was only $699 at Agees Bicycle in Carytown. (list: $1100) It took me a few blocks to get used to riding it, but with a few minor changes it can be a great bike.The first of these changes will be a new seat, the one that came stock is terribly uncomfortable. But all in all its a great bike, and I'm happy.

Bike shorts

Well, I'm back from the beach and therefore back in the saddle. After my last 2 hour stationary bike ride, I had come to the conclusion that it was time for bike shorts.  So I did a bit of research online and read some reviews about what I should be looking for: thickness, aerodynamics, moisture wicking etc. (there's actually a lot more to bike shorts than I imagined.) So I headed down to performance bicycles and I got a pair of gel bike shorts for $35. After getting home I tried them on, . . . not the most comfortable things to wear while upright, but a world of difference while riding. They made the next 2 hours on the stationary bike relitively enjoyable. Horray Spandex!

Route, Possible Charity and Donation button.

After a bit more research I have decided on the Route. Yorktown, Virginia to San Francisco, California. I will ride the TransAmerica trail for about 2k miles, then jump on the Western Express to San Francisco total trip: 3785 miles. (see route: http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes/RouteNetwork.pdf)

I have also decided it would be wise for me to join a group in this effort, prefferably with a support vehicle. However, I have not completely put the solo trip out of the question. I have found one group called Bike the US for MS (http://www.biketheusforms.org/) . These guys really seem to have it together. They have regular video, picture and blog updates, I figgure it would be nice to  forge some lifelong friendships and get some encouragement along the way.

I have also put up a Pay-pal donation button for donations by credit card. If you want to donate via cash or check I suggest you hand those to me personally. I have also opened a separate bank account today to keep the funds to prevent any sort of mix up. This trip will depend heavily on the support of friends, family, and hopefully strangers. Please donate! Any ammount is greatly appreciated!

I have decided. . .

As of Yesterday (Aug 1, 2010) I have decided to bike from the West Coast to the East Coast, it's really just as simple as that for now. I got the idea from Donald Miller's book 'A Million Miles in a Thousand Years'. The theme of Donald's book was, as Donald put it, "living a great story".  Essentially, if your life was a book who would you write it for? what would the inciting Incident be? what would be the memorable characters, conflicts or scenes? when it was finished would anyone want to read it? Now, in the book, Donald actually did the same thing-biking from coast to coast raising money to dig water wells in countries that didn't have clean water. Donald never got to specific on this topic but I though this was very noble.

After a bit of mulling it over and quick research. I decided to follow through. What I need to find now is 1) Everything. Now everything includes: bike, biking partner(s), supplies, route, charity to ride for, getting into shape, time line, etc. I seriously mean everything!

 What I request from you is feedback, support-(both monetary and advice), and spreading the word of my endeavors.
 
 Thanks.