My thermometer runneth over

I thought I was going to be grasping at straws about a week before the start of the trip to get to $4,000...but I've officially reached my fundraising goal! Thank you SO much again to everyone who has donated! I'm so relieved and now I can focus on all the other work to be done...I'm becoming very familiar with the small towns in the south and their churches. I've also fallen in love with Google Earth. It is the most helpful tool, because you can zoom into a town and literally only show every church there is. In seconds! So now its go time to start calling places to see if they want to have 34 overnight visitors this summer :)

Other updates- my bike is ordered and I am anxiously awaiting its arrival, along with waiting for the snow and ice to melt so I can actually ride it. Jeff placed my Pearl Izumi order so a big chunk of my gear is on its way! C'mon spring...

Over 1/2 way to my fundraising goal!

I am amazed at how giving all my friends, family and colleagues have been! I have gotten some EXTREMELY generous donations that I can't even think of how to properly thank people for. I'm very touched and it has been really fun to talk to people about exactly what Bike & Build is and how I decided to get involved. The response from everyone I've talked to has been so positive, and while most people think I'm a little crazy (including me!) everyone has been so supportive. I always knew I had an amazing family and group of friends, but this just solidifies it :) Thank you so much for everyone who has donated, only $1400 to go!


Other big news- I got a serious biking education this weekend. I went to visit my sister Shannon and her husband Jeff in Denver and it just so happens that they are big biking enthusiasts. Jeff in particular loves to shop for gear, so after a spin class early Saturday morning he was pushing us to get showered and out the door because there were many, many bike shops and sporting goods stores to visit. I'm almost certain we went to every single one in the Denver area...or maybe it just feels like it :) I got some essentials, some fun stuff, and some things I have no idea how to use. I also placed a very large Pearl Izumi order so after that gets in I'll feel official, because virtually the entire order is spandex. I had on a lot of spandex this weekend, but I guess I better get used to it! Jeff also gave me a lesson on how to change a tube and I got a constant stream of helpful tidbits of information throughout the weekend. I probably should have been taking detailed notes. But the most exciting part of the weekend is that I got to feel my little niece or nephew kick for the first time! It was fantastic. As was the lovely Valentine's meal Shannon made, complete with chocolate souffle. I have the best sister and brother-in-law a girl could ask for!

Our overnight responsibilities have been split up between all the leaders, so now its go time to figure out where 34 people are going to stay...if anyone knows of people that would like to help out in Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Colorado or Utah please send them my way!

98 days and counting...

This will be my little engine that could

And so it begins...

Well, the good news arrived last week that I have been chosen as a team leader for the South Carolina to Santa Cruz route for Bike & Build 2009! I still am in shock but I am so relieved and so incredibly excited that I have been given this opportunity. Although now the reality of biking 4,037 miles is sinking in...spandex and sweat and summits, oh my!