Support a maggots Ride for Charity (please)!

**MassLiberal** · 06-13-2006, 07:43 AM

I apologize for the spamishness of this post in advance, but one thing I’ve noticed about this community during the short time that I have been a part of it is that its members are willing to support one another in their ventures if they have merit.

As some of you may know, at the end of this summer one of my best friends and I will be embarking on a 6,000 mile bicycle tour around much of the perimeter of the United States. The trip will start in Jackson, WY with the first leg taking us north through Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Parks. After approximately 600 miles we plan to take a couple of days to explore the backcountry of Glacier by foot. From here the journey turns west. We will be riding along the US/Canada border for about 700 miles towards the Pacific Coast. The third leg of our adventure will take us south to Santa Barbara, CA. After 1400 miles of riding along the Pacific Ocean it will be time to head inland. We will cross the southern tier of the United States and continue to our final destination of Key West, FL, where we will fly home just in time for ski season.

However, while planning a trip of this magnitude, we realized the potential to raise money for a good cause. After a lot of careful consideration, we decided on Reach Out and Read, an incredible charity that works to make literacy an integral part of pediatric primary care, with a focus on disadvantaged youth.

The program is incredibly effective; numerous peer reviewed studies demonstrate that children exposed to the program have increased their language test scores considerably over those not exposed, and it has the added advantage of helping parents get involved in the education of their child. In addition, the program is incredibly cost effective; $27.50 will cover the cost of book for a child from the age of six months to five years. During the trip, we will be stopping at a number of inner city medical clinics to share our adventure with children and to stress the importance of early literacy in their lives. Check them out at: http://www.reachoutandread.org

If you are interested in supporting us, please check us out at http://www.ride4ror.com. There are two ways to give, one through the ROR website is tax deductible, we’d ask that you place “ride4ror” in the “in honor of” category. However if you would like to give directly to us and help us pay for some of the expenses (eating, website costs etc) you can give to our paypal account which is fundraising at ride4ror dot com. Both links are on our website.

Another benefit of the trip is that I will, hopefully have the chance to run into a bunch of you guys along the way. Some kind folks that I have talked to have already offered support in the way of a hot shower and a place to set up a tent (or in some cases, even a bed), and for that, I cannot thank y'all enough. Even if you are unable to support us with a contribution to our cause, I hope to meet any of you that are on our route, as one thing that I have learned over the past 6 months is that this is one of the greatest places on the interweb. I have unfortunately only met a few of y'all, but almost every person I have met has been fantastic.

Thanks in advance for your support.

**warthog** · 06-13-2006, 07:48 AM

When will you be in Florida? More than welcome to stay here if you make it to St. Petersburg. Might not be the most direct route for you, though. Since there is a large bridge in the way. Pretty sure you aren't allowed to ride bikes over the Sunshine Skyway bridge. I'll also be getting married in Key West on Feb. 10th. If you are there, drinks are on me.

Good luck with the ride.

**MassLiberal** · 06-13-2006, 08:01 AM

The ride starts on August 20th, and we plan to be in Florida in the beginning of November. We might actually be riding down the gulf coast for a ways before crossing (or going straight across to St Augustine and riding down the atlantic coast). Things will probably be decided as we go.

**Viva** · 06-13-2006, 08:24 AM

I'm in, but, what, no San Diego?

**MassLiberal** · 06-13-2006, 08:26 AM

We might be stopping in San Diego. Right now the plan is to head west from Santa Barbara, but we might go down south to stop at a clinic there.

**Joey Joe Joe Junior Shabadoo** · 06-13-2006, 08:31 AM

Man I am jealous. You guys should have a blast, if you end up anywhere close to Aspen we have an extra room with your name on it. Good luck and have fun.

**snowsprite** · 06-13-2006, 08:36 AM

Man, your butt's gonna be sore! Paypal'd you a little something for one of those foam rubber things you can sit on and some ice.
Good luck!

Sprite

**1080Rider** · 06-13-2006, 09:52 AM

Dude, it was pretty much figured out that you only need $150 to go cross country. Looks like you're going a little further so you really only need $200. That should be easy to raise.

**MassLiberal** · 06-13-2006, 09:57 AM

Originally Posted by 1080Rider

Dude, it was pretty much figured out that you only need $150 to go cross country. Looks like you're going a little further so you really only need $200. That should be easy to raise.

That was a pretty funny thread. But I'm really trying to raise money for the charity, anything that people give to help cover the costs mainly will go to domain upkeep, printing of fundraising materials and mailings. Plus a little bit to put into freeze drying meals to keep costs on the road down.

**1080Rider** · 06-13-2006, 10:16 AM

yeah, I was just razzin' you. Be safe out there. You're more ambitious than I, that's for sure.

**Cono Este** · 06-13-2006, 10:20 AM

I know some republicans that would like to buy a space on the back of your shirt. How much?

**MassLiberal** · 06-13-2006, 10:22 AM

I hve no qualms with that! Hell, Reach out and Read is the favorite charity of Laura Bush!

**Canuk** · 06-13-2006, 10:22 AM

When do you plan to be through Glacier? If it's around Labour Day, I'm sure we can hook up for beers.

**MassLiberal** · 06-13-2006, 10:23 AM

We leave Jackson on the 20th, so we'll probably be there around labor day.

**Cono Este** · 06-13-2006, 11:38 AM

Sent.

Interesting route.

If you see this kid, use it for a motel, dont stop to pitch a tent for a night.

**MassLiberal** · 06-13-2006, 12:00 PM

Originally Posted by Cono Este

Sent.

Interesting route.

If you see this kid, use it for a motel, dont stop to pitch a tent for a night.

I'm running away screaming if I see that kid!

**warthog** · 06-13-2006, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by MassLiberal

I'm running away squeeling like a pig if I see that kid!

Yeah you are, Boy!

**MassLiberal** · 06-13-2006, 02:45 PM

Well, let's hope it doesn't come to that.

**freshies** · 06-13-2006, 03:21 PM

sounds like a greta trip. if you guys need a place to crash in San Francisco, a hot shower and some fish tacos and beers are all on me. I am actually in Mill Valley, right across the GG Bridge, so you guys could ride across the bridge and have a rest stop here if needed on your journey south to Santa Barbara.

**1080Rider** · 06-13-2006, 04:24 PM

Hey, if you decide to tavel a little further south through Spokane I'll put you up for the night and feed you. It looks like you're planning on traveling further north though. Are you sure there's a road there?

**MassLiberal** · 06-13-2006, 04:35 PM

1080 We'll be taking route 20 across the northern part of the state, so unfortunately I think we might miss you, but the promise of free food does strange things to a traveler's route.

Freshies, did you say fish tacos?? Expect a call from me, as fish tacos are the greatest thing in the world, and I would probably bike across the country solely for good ones. (since we have only 1 good place for fish tacos in Mass, and they pale in comparison to those ou west)

**GoldMember** · 06-13-2006, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by MassLiberal

1080 We'll be taking route 20 across the northern part of the state, so unfortunately I think we might miss you, but the promise of free food does strange things to a traveler's route.

Man, you guys are gluttens for punishment. Them's some big hills ya gotta ride! That takes you through the North Cascades Highway. Great route but your legs will be feeling it. You could come through Spokane then go west on Hwy. 2 and then on to 20 via Wilbur and see Grand Coulee. This would save you going through Sherman Pass. It's going to be hilly any way you go but would be a little less strenuous (but maybe more miles) doing that.