here comes the sun

I bought a bike last Friday!! It’s a Specialized Allez!! I am wicked excited about this. When I rode it at the store I felt like I was flying. It was a bit out of my price range but I figured I should get something that I felt good about. I know God will supply.

Sunday I went on my first real ride around the 11.5-mile loop by my school. It goes through a few blueberry fields, then near the ocean, with a few hills through out. It’s a wonderful little ride. It took about 50 min. Not bad for the first ride. I hope…

Today, as I was riding I noticed a bald eagle soaring above me. I love seeing these amazing creatures! It reminded me at how difficult this trip will be for me. Back in the 90’s the bald eagle was on the endangered species list. But, with help, they came back. Now they’re off the list and have a rather large population here in Maine. As I do not have a lot of experience biking I am relying on God to get me through.

I think it’s rather cool that while I am training to ride accost the US, I am able to see our nations bird!

Bike Across the Universe

During the past few weeks I have been able to tell a lot of people about the R:WT and have gotten interesting responses. Most people look at me like I am crazy, but some are vary supportive. I am very thankful for all of you!

A few days ago my boss asked me what I was most afraid of regarding the Ride: Well Tour. I told him the riding my bike part. Then we both laughed. I don’t have a lot of experience road biking. However, I love riding my bike around town and to the ocean. That is at most 20 miles at a time. I also love challenging myself to complete new adventures like climbing mountains. So I am quite excited about this new challenge.

Also a good friend of mine asked me “Lisa are you excited to ride across the universe!”. I think she was just a little confused but I told her “Yes, yes I am!”. This has become a little inside joke with a few of my friends. So now, among a small group of people up here in Maine the Ride:Well Tour is biking across the universe. Thought I would let the rest of the riders know. You may have to increase training!

3174 miles by bike

I have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bicycle across America to raise funds and awareness for Blood:Water Mission, an organization that helps underdeveloped communities in Africa build clean-water wells, latrines and health clinics. We will be stopping in communities and churches to talk about the water and blood crises in Africa and enlist people in active support of Blood:Water Mission.

Blood:Water Mission is a grassroots organization that empowers communities to work together against the HIV/AIDS and water crisis. Its core purpose is to build community through creative social action. The Ride:Well Tour supports Blood: Water’s 1000 Well Project, an initiative to provide clean water and sanitation to 1000 communities in sub-Saharan Africa based on the equation that $1 provides an African with clean water for an entire year.

The Ride:Well Tour is scheduled for June 11-August 10 and will cover over 3,000 miles from LA to DC. More information about Blood:Water Mission and the Ride:Well Tour may be found online at www.ridewelltour.org. You will be able to find my Cyclist Profile page and follow my progress during the tour. I will be writing and posting photographs throughout the ride.