Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Why World Bicycle Relief


So I wanted to talk a little bit about World Bicycle Relief and why they are such a great and worthy cause.  The first thing is their education program.  Kids have a hard time getting to class everyday because it is so far away and they have to do chores before they leave.  Imagine doing chores for an hour or so, then walking three to five miles, and then learning algebra!

There is a great documentary called With My Own Two Wheels that shows how powerful adding a bicycle to this equation is:

WBR also has programs for healthcare givers and social enterprises.  So go to their site and check them out, or just click on the button at the right of this page to donate to WBR.  And if you are looking to give a Christmas donation, there is a group of board members and other folks at WBR willing to match donations for the entire month of December, so now would be a good time to donate.

Monday, November 14, 2011

My Next Adventure

I have informed my parents and grandparents, so now I can tell everyone.  I am going to bike across the USA in the summer of 2012, and I am going to do it to raise money and awareness for World Bicycle Relief.

Ever since my Appalachian Trail thru-hike in 2007, I have been itching for a new adventure.  I had decided to do my ride back in '09 but was instead swept up in the world of tall ship sailing.  I sailed for a few years on boats like the Corwith Cramer, The Pride of Baltimore II, and The Spirit of South Carolina.  But this summer I will be taking a break from boats and trading in my marlin spike for an allen wrench.

I am biking for WBR because they are doing some great stuff with bikes.  My favorite thing they do is give bikes to kids so they can get to school on time.  As an educator myself, it seems only fitting to be raising money for kids to get to school early and often.

With that in mind, I hope to make some stops along the way and tell people about how great bikes are.
Stay tuned to this blog for updates on my planning and eventually to follow my trip as it happens.  You can donate to WBR with the button that says, "Donate to WBR."  Thank you for all your support in advance.

Please comment with suggestions for my bicycle trail name.