I plan to write an update with a little on Hawaii and on the plans for the next couple of weeks, but in the meantime...
THANK YOU!
I just need $440 more to reach $1750 of the $2250 fundraising minimum. I can't even begin to tell everyone how much your support means to me. I've been finding myself getting chocked up every time I get an e-mail about a donation. So many of you have shared incredibly kind words. Thank you for supporting me, and the Climate Ride cause! It helps me feel less nervous and overwhelmed knowing so many wonderful people are behind me.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Need help reaching donation requirement
Hello family and friends,
I need your help to reach the donation requirement to participate in Climate Ride. In order to participate in the ride I must reach $2,250. My plane tickets are purchased, arrangements for shipping my bike are set, and I've been training since April. I am prepared to donate $500 on my own beyond the time and money I'm putting into the ride, but I really need your help to raise an additional $860 to get to that point. Thank you so much to those of you who have already donated, and for spreading the word to additional family and friends.
To donate please visit my personal fundraising page linked on the right (https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=272731&supid=214510737) or you can submit a donation through the mail by printing the downloadable form on the donation page. The ride starts on my birthday, and I encourage you to make a donation to support the ride if you were considering giving a present. If you are not able to offer support financially, here are other ways you can help:
1. Spread the word! Please help me reach family, friends, environmental and cycling advocates, anyone! I'm the only person in Washington participating in the ride, so if you have contacts in local cycling organizations you think might be interested in lending support, please let me know.
2. Share your encouragement, advice, questions, whatever you have. Positive energy is exactly what I need! Thanks to everyone who has been on a training ride, keeping up with my blog, or asking me how training is going. Special thanks to Dave for his incredible patience with me as I go through this process.
3. Let me know if you have a light, compact, backpacking-style tent or sleeping bag that I could borrow for the ride.
4. Let me know if you have a large bag appropriate for packing a tent, sleeping bag, cycling gear, etc. that I could borrow. Thanks to Danielle for offering hers - I'd like to try it out!
5. Let me know if you have contacts in New York that I might be able to stay with on September 18 - 20 before the ride. If they don't have space, I'd also appreciate help navigating! Thanks to Sarah for putting me up in DC!
I also want to share with you my story of why I want to participate in Climate Ride.
First, and most importantly, I deeply believe in the cause. As you know, my work is centered around my belief in building a sustainable society. I believe it is essential that we find ways to live that facilitate the conservation of ecological systems while considering environmental equity, human rights, cultural sensitivity, and education for people around the world. It has been my pleasure in the last year to work as the Environmental Steward for Seattle Art Museum, where I work on programs that demonstrate the connections between art, environment, and life. I am also involved in building community partnerships, an active network of internal SAM conservation supporters, and a fantastic and dedicated group of volunteers, along with supporting the inspirational site of the Olympic Sculpture Park. This spring I organized "Climate Day for Kids," a family program at the park. I also manage SAM's membership in Seattle Climate Partnership and Seattle Climate Action Now. Global climate change is a huge issue, and one that affects all people. The time to make changes is now, and that is exactly what Climate Ride calls for. I view Climate Ride as a way to continue my support of environmental initiatives in my personal life.
Climate Ride benefits two influential organizations: Clean Air-Cool Planet and Focus the Nation. Clean Air-Cool Planet is an example of the many regional groups forming to address climate change, and often setting the goal of meeting the requirements of the Kyoto Protocol. As you may know, The Kyoto Protocol was an international agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (the cause of global climate change). The United States is not a signatory of the protocol. The City of Seattle has been a leader in this area under Mayor Nickels, forming Seattle Climate Partnership and Seattle Climate Action Now. Washington is also active in the Western Climate Initiative and through 1Sky Washington. Focus the Nation is an incredible educational organization. Last winter Focus the Nation gathered students and community members to discuss climate change, a clean energy economy, and solutions for a sustainable society. Community-based networks and solutions-oriented thinking predominate today, and it is exciting to see people of all types come together to solve the problems we face.
Additionally, I view Climate Ride as an incredible and life-changing experience. I have never participated in an event as physically demanding as Climate Ride - I will bike 320 miles from New York City to Washington, D.C. in 5 days (50-80 miles per day). I am also participating in this ride as an individual, which will require me to find strength in myself and to get to know the other riders along the way. While I've traveled many places to meet friends and family, this is the first trip where I am not meeting someone on the other side (at least not until DC!). I'm definitely nervous, but I'm excited and know that I will be proud of myself afterwards. I also know that I will have lots of love and good vibes coming my way from all across the country! There's a big part of me that wants to be the kind of person who can undertake this sort of adventure - this is my way of finding that person in myself. Add in that Climate Ride starts on my 26th birthday (September 20), and I feel like I've found the perfect way to celebrate!
Thank you for your love and support,
Jackie
I need your help to reach the donation requirement to participate in Climate Ride. In order to participate in the ride I must reach $2,250. My plane tickets are purchased, arrangements for shipping my bike are set, and I've been training since April. I am prepared to donate $500 on my own beyond the time and money I'm putting into the ride, but I really need your help to raise an additional $860 to get to that point. Thank you so much to those of you who have already donated, and for spreading the word to additional family and friends.
To donate please visit my personal fundraising page linked on the right (https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=272731&supid=214510737) or you can submit a donation through the mail by printing the downloadable form on the donation page. The ride starts on my birthday, and I encourage you to make a donation to support the ride if you were considering giving a present. If you are not able to offer support financially, here are other ways you can help:
1. Spread the word! Please help me reach family, friends, environmental and cycling advocates, anyone! I'm the only person in Washington participating in the ride, so if you have contacts in local cycling organizations you think might be interested in lending support, please let me know.
2. Share your encouragement, advice, questions, whatever you have. Positive energy is exactly what I need! Thanks to everyone who has been on a training ride, keeping up with my blog, or asking me how training is going. Special thanks to Dave for his incredible patience with me as I go through this process.
3. Let me know if you have a light, compact, backpacking-style tent or sleeping bag that I could borrow for the ride.
4. Let me know if you have a large bag appropriate for packing a tent, sleeping bag, cycling gear, etc. that I could borrow. Thanks to Danielle for offering hers - I'd like to try it out!
5. Let me know if you have contacts in New York that I might be able to stay with on September 18 - 20 before the ride. If they don't have space, I'd also appreciate help navigating! Thanks to Sarah for putting me up in DC!
I also want to share with you my story of why I want to participate in Climate Ride.
First, and most importantly, I deeply believe in the cause. As you know, my work is centered around my belief in building a sustainable society. I believe it is essential that we find ways to live that facilitate the conservation of ecological systems while considering environmental equity, human rights, cultural sensitivity, and education for people around the world. It has been my pleasure in the last year to work as the Environmental Steward for Seattle Art Museum, where I work on programs that demonstrate the connections between art, environment, and life. I am also involved in building community partnerships, an active network of internal SAM conservation supporters, and a fantastic and dedicated group of volunteers, along with supporting the inspirational site of the Olympic Sculpture Park. This spring I organized "Climate Day for Kids," a family program at the park. I also manage SAM's membership in Seattle Climate Partnership and Seattle Climate Action Now. Global climate change is a huge issue, and one that affects all people. The time to make changes is now, and that is exactly what Climate Ride calls for. I view Climate Ride as a way to continue my support of environmental initiatives in my personal life.
Climate Ride benefits two influential organizations: Clean Air-Cool Planet and Focus the Nation. Clean Air-Cool Planet is an example of the many regional groups forming to address climate change, and often setting the goal of meeting the requirements of the Kyoto Protocol. As you may know, The Kyoto Protocol was an international agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (the cause of global climate change). The United States is not a signatory of the protocol. The City of Seattle has been a leader in this area under Mayor Nickels, forming Seattle Climate Partnership and Seattle Climate Action Now. Washington is also active in the Western Climate Initiative and through 1Sky Washington. Focus the Nation is an incredible educational organization. Last winter Focus the Nation gathered students and community members to discuss climate change, a clean energy economy, and solutions for a sustainable society. Community-based networks and solutions-oriented thinking predominate today, and it is exciting to see people of all types come together to solve the problems we face.
Additionally, I view Climate Ride as an incredible and life-changing experience. I have never participated in an event as physically demanding as Climate Ride - I will bike 320 miles from New York City to Washington, D.C. in 5 days (50-80 miles per day). I am also participating in this ride as an individual, which will require me to find strength in myself and to get to know the other riders along the way. While I've traveled many places to meet friends and family, this is the first trip where I am not meeting someone on the other side (at least not until DC!). I'm definitely nervous, but I'm excited and know that I will be proud of myself afterwards. I also know that I will have lots of love and good vibes coming my way from all across the country! There's a big part of me that wants to be the kind of person who can undertake this sort of adventure - this is my way of finding that person in myself. Add in that Climate Ride starts on my 26th birthday (September 20), and I feel like I've found the perfect way to celebrate!
Thank you for your love and support,
Jackie
Friday, August 15, 2008
Off to Hawaii
Today it is supposed to reach 91 degrees in Seattle. Miserable. Tomorrow is predicted to be even hotter. This isn't doing much for my riding. I am hoping to get in a short ride tomorrow morning when it's not too hot and before I leave for Hawaii.
Speaking of Hawaii...I'm really excited to join my family for this trip. We'll be on Maui. On Wednesday we will be doing a zip line, and I have no doubt there will be lots of other adventures. While not exactly cycling related, I think the mental health break will be really good for me.
Dave gets back after I leave. Sad. He's been having a great time in the Virgin Islands, though. Today they are scuba diving off the British Virgin Islands - wow!
More when I return...
Speaking of Hawaii...I'm really excited to join my family for this trip. We'll be on Maui. On Wednesday we will be doing a zip line, and I have no doubt there will be lots of other adventures. While not exactly cycling related, I think the mental health break will be really good for me.
Dave gets back after I leave. Sad. He's been having a great time in the Virgin Islands, though. Today they are scuba diving off the British Virgin Islands - wow!
More when I return...
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Coping without Dave by biking A LOT!
On Sunday Blake, Dana, Laurel, and I rode around Lake Sammamish. We hoped over to the Burke Gilman, went to Marymoor Park, and then moved over to West Lake Sammamish. There are great bike lanes, and Blana and I had done the stretch down to just before Issaquah. When we reached the end of the portion we did for the Seattle Century, I recognized the roundabout I had turned at when I biked to Dave's office. We went along the stretch I had taken on that trip into Issaquah. I pointed out Dave's office as we cut over the East Lake Sammamish Parkway. At this point we had to take to the sidewalk for a bit. Eventually the bike lane picks up again.
Overall the ride was really nice. Just under 30 miles, so a good ride to fit into an afternoon. There are a good number of small hills that help with training, but aren't killer. Overall the route feels very safe from cars. I learned how to properly use my clips on this ride and I'm loving them. No falls yet (knock on wood). We were very quick, which was good for me. I pushed myself to a little faster than I would good by myself. We did the whole ride in just over an hour and a half with an average speed of 15.3 mph. To add to these accomplishments, I found a way to fit by bike in my car only taking off the front wheel - hooray!
I've also biked to work the last two days and I will be biking again tomorrow. Thursday I probably won't be able to, but I plan to get in some miles on Friday and maybe Saturday morning. I'm really starting to feel like a cyclist. Getting in the saddle is becoming easier and easier. Biking to work seems much easier now than it used to - even after a long day of work. It's been interesting to find how much energy goes into riding on the road starting and stopping, merging, etc. Biking to work seems to take so much longer and so much more energy than a recreational ride. It doesn't help that there are a lot of hills to climb after a long day. Given that, finding the ride easier feels like a real accomplishment!
On another note...I figured out how to take photos with the gnome. I rediscovered some useful settings on my camera. Amelie-style pictures here I come!
Overall the ride was really nice. Just under 30 miles, so a good ride to fit into an afternoon. There are a good number of small hills that help with training, but aren't killer. Overall the route feels very safe from cars. I learned how to properly use my clips on this ride and I'm loving them. No falls yet (knock on wood). We were very quick, which was good for me. I pushed myself to a little faster than I would good by myself. We did the whole ride in just over an hour and a half with an average speed of 15.3 mph. To add to these accomplishments, I found a way to fit by bike in my car only taking off the front wheel - hooray!
I've also biked to work the last two days and I will be biking again tomorrow. Thursday I probably won't be able to, but I plan to get in some miles on Friday and maybe Saturday morning. I'm really starting to feel like a cyclist. Getting in the saddle is becoming easier and easier. Biking to work seems much easier now than it used to - even after a long day of work. It's been interesting to find how much energy goes into riding on the road starting and stopping, merging, etc. Biking to work seems to take so much longer and so much more energy than a recreational ride. It doesn't help that there are a lot of hills to climb after a long day. Given that, finding the ride easier feels like a real accomplishment!
On another note...I figured out how to take photos with the gnome. I rediscovered some useful settings on my camera. Amelie-style pictures here I come!
Saturday, August 9, 2008
The gnomes have arrived!
Some of you have heard, but I decided a while back that I wanted a garden gnome. I just like them. But I also love the movie Amelie, and the pictures they show of a gnome in front of famous landmarks - very funny. I thought it would be amusing to take pictures with a gnome along the way on my trip. I know, it's my own little quirky thing.
Bri found me this adorable 3" gnome on Etsy, so I bought one painted and one unpainted. I'm learning how to take photographs with him, and need to play around with my camera a bit more. Dave and I took some photos in Victoria to practice:
Hehehe!
Bri found me this adorable 3" gnome on Etsy, so I bought one painted and one unpainted. I'm learning how to take photographs with him, and need to play around with my camera a bit more. Dave and I took some photos in Victoria to practice:
Hehehe!
Time to blog
It's been a while since I've written and it's about time I got caught up!
After the half century the valve on one of my tires broke. I discovered that I didn't have the right tube to change it, so I had to pick one up. I succeeded in changing my own tire, and it was actually really easy! I was super proud of myself for doing it right.
Last weekend Dave and I went to Victoria, so no riding. We did have a wonderful time relaxing and walking around. I'm putting in a picture even though it doesn't relate to biking...
On Monday I took my bike in to REI for a servicing. Now it's nice and clean, and riding smooth! I had to replace a bracket on the crank (kind of like the axle). I also had them put on clipless pedals. I didn't have the cleats installed on my biking shoes yet, so I rode home on top of the pedals.
That night I put on the cleats, and the next morning Erin and I biked in - our last ride to work together!
My dad and Cathy met me after work at the park and we rode up to the Ballard Locks. It was fun to check out the trail through Myrtle Edwards. The bike path is tight and surrounded by fences as you continue north. We took a side path to look at the marina by Palisades. Soon the path joined the road, but there were bike lanes along the way to Discovery Park. From there you have to turn down a hill and follow a wooden bridge to come out near the locks. You can't bike across the locks, but it was fun to walk across.
I didn't have any trouble getting my foot out of the clips, which was good. I think that I might actually need to tighten the right one - hopefully that won't result in falls!
The last few days have been super busy! I enjoyed attending the re+vision students' final presentation. Dave leaves today for St. John, so I've been trying to spend time with him the last few days. I leave for Hawaii before he gets back, so sadly our vacations weren't well coordinated. I miss him already. :( I'll be keeping busy this week and hopefully getting in some good rides before my trip. I'm planning to bike with Blake and Dana tomorrow - about 30 miles around Lake Sammamish. I'm meeting up with Debe tomorrow, so hopefully I can bike to meet her and get in some extra miles. I'm planning some bike to work days and a couple of evening rides this week to up my miles.
The next week I'll be in Hawaii, but I'll be very active. Labor Day weekend and the following weekend (September 6 and 7). I'm hoping to do 2 days in a row of 50-70 mile rides. That's where I should be on my training schedule. If I can do that and follow up with shorter rides - to increase the miles and spend time in the saddle - I should be set. I'll be busy with work the next weekend, but I'll probably try to get in a ride on the 14th. I need to make my appointment with REI to pack and ship my bike. Whenever I do that I'll begin resting until New York. It's coming! A little more than a month away!
Thanks to everyone for your support. It means so much to me, and I hope that you appreciate the climate protection cause. I'm about 1/3 of the way to my fundraising requirement to participate in the ride. Thanks for helping me reach this!
After the half century the valve on one of my tires broke. I discovered that I didn't have the right tube to change it, so I had to pick one up. I succeeded in changing my own tire, and it was actually really easy! I was super proud of myself for doing it right.
Last weekend Dave and I went to Victoria, so no riding. We did have a wonderful time relaxing and walking around. I'm putting in a picture even though it doesn't relate to biking...
On Monday I took my bike in to REI for a servicing. Now it's nice and clean, and riding smooth! I had to replace a bracket on the crank (kind of like the axle). I also had them put on clipless pedals. I didn't have the cleats installed on my biking shoes yet, so I rode home on top of the pedals.
That night I put on the cleats, and the next morning Erin and I biked in - our last ride to work together!
My dad and Cathy met me after work at the park and we rode up to the Ballard Locks. It was fun to check out the trail through Myrtle Edwards. The bike path is tight and surrounded by fences as you continue north. We took a side path to look at the marina by Palisades. Soon the path joined the road, but there were bike lanes along the way to Discovery Park. From there you have to turn down a hill and follow a wooden bridge to come out near the locks. You can't bike across the locks, but it was fun to walk across.
I didn't have any trouble getting my foot out of the clips, which was good. I think that I might actually need to tighten the right one - hopefully that won't result in falls!
The last few days have been super busy! I enjoyed attending the re+vision students' final presentation. Dave leaves today for St. John, so I've been trying to spend time with him the last few days. I leave for Hawaii before he gets back, so sadly our vacations weren't well coordinated. I miss him already. :( I'll be keeping busy this week and hopefully getting in some good rides before my trip. I'm planning to bike with Blake and Dana tomorrow - about 30 miles around Lake Sammamish. I'm meeting up with Debe tomorrow, so hopefully I can bike to meet her and get in some extra miles. I'm planning some bike to work days and a couple of evening rides this week to up my miles.
The next week I'll be in Hawaii, but I'll be very active. Labor Day weekend and the following weekend (September 6 and 7). I'm hoping to do 2 days in a row of 50-70 mile rides. That's where I should be on my training schedule. If I can do that and follow up with shorter rides - to increase the miles and spend time in the saddle - I should be set. I'll be busy with work the next weekend, but I'll probably try to get in a ride on the 14th. I need to make my appointment with REI to pack and ship my bike. Whenever I do that I'll begin resting until New York. It's coming! A little more than a month away!
Thanks to everyone for your support. It means so much to me, and I hope that you appreciate the climate protection cause. I'm about 1/3 of the way to my fundraising requirement to participate in the ride. Thanks for helping me reach this!
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