Date: 7/07/06
Mileage: 94
Funds Raised:
$9,383.87 for Kupenda
+$50.00 thanks to Geoffrey Matrangola
+$50.00 thanks to Sandra L Hudock
$20,000 is the goal for Kupenda. That is the amount needed to build a boarding facility so that 30+ children, who have disabilities, will get to go to school!!! It is a chance to really make a difference in a lot of people's lives!!!$8,135.00 for ADA
Battling diabetes is something that is close to our hearts since Adam has Type I Diabetes. AFC's mission at it's core is to raise awareness, show other diabetics that anything is possible, and to do anything to combat diabetes!
Again for those of you who might not know as a side project team AFC MUST do Karaoke in every state we visit. Since tonight is our last night in Colorado we had to get our Karaoke on last night before we left Pueblo (big city.. means there must be karaoke somewhere). We talked to some very nice people at the University and they directed us to a place only 2 miles away called ShowTimes. It was some great Karaoke!! They had a hugeeeee selections of songs. So for those keeping track:
States visited: 6
States karaoked: 6!!! :)
After getting in late last night from karaoke we woke up at our usual 6:30am since we knew we had a 90 mile day ahead of us! By far today was the hottest and in some ways the hardest day of our trip. It was completely flat the entire day. We could see the horizon on all sides of us! That is pretty cool, comming from Maryland we never get to see anything like that. The sun beat down on us all day and the wind was always against us but we still managed to have a good time. We went through a town named "Sugar City" and Adam's nickname is "Suga" hahaha oh boy that was fun.
We also met some cool people who were traveling the opposite direction as us. They were from the Netherlands which means really cool accents!
Our destination was Haswell, Colorado. It is an extremely small town but it has FREE camping! The thunderstorms are crazy here and you can see them comming from miles and miles away. As I type this blog I am watching and praying that the HUGE thunderstorm on the horizon is not comming our way. We may be in for a longgggg night.
-Pattt
7 comments:
You guys may have to take the AFC Tour on the road and overseas?! They'd love u in the EU.
martin
Why do you spell your name with three tttts Does your key stick??
From the Pueblo Chieftain newspaper in Pueblo, Colo.:
By Ryan Blackburn
July 8--Three young men from Maryland aren't biking across the country for their health this summer n they're pedaling to improve the quality of life for those less fortunate.
For the next three months, college friends Adam Driscoll, Patrick Blair and Hesse Stump will collect donations while riding fixed-gear bicycles from coast-to-coast. The money will go toward raising awareness of diabetes and to help build a boarding facility for handicapped children in Kenya.
Riders of fixed-gear bikes must pedal with each revolution of the rear wheel, making the force required to ascend and descend hills relatively the same.
"So we're pretty much pedaling every step of the way," Driscoll said.
On Thursday, the trio made it to Pueblo, where they stayed in the residence halls at Colorado State University-Pueblo. While there, the cyclists gave a brief presentation of their trip and mission, which they call Adventures for The Cure, to a group of high school students.
Afterwards, the cyclists received a donation of $300 from Upward Bound, a summer learning program for high school students.
"We love to run and test the limits of physical activity," said Driscoll, who has had diabetes since he was 11. "Why not use what we love to help other people?"
Driscoll said last year he and his friends raised about $7,000 for the American Diabetes Association while biking 320 miles from Baltimore to Ocean City, Md.
"We want to show people, that even if you have diabetes you can do anything," Driscoll said.
Driscoll said he and his friends also would like to raise $20,000 to fund the boarding facility for handicapped children in Kenya.
Cindy Bauer, president of an organization working to build more facilities for disadvantaged children in Kenya, said in a telephone interview, she first met the enthusiastic group of athletes at a young adults church group meeting in Maryland last October.
There, she said they agreed to donate some of the money that they receive to an organization called Kupenda.
According to Bauer, one of Kupenda's plans is to build living quarters for 30 to 40 children living with a variety of disabilities.
With the construction of the facility, Bauer said more Kenyan children would be able to receive an education, as well as health care treatment. After hearing about Kupenda, Bauer said the cyclists were so interested in assisting with the program that they traveled with her to Kenya to see the organization's progress firsthand.
"It was really great to see them in Kenya," Bauer said. "They've been a great blessing to Kupenda."
The trio began their tour in Bellingham, Wash., on June 1. Thus far, the cyclists have raised more than $8,000 to support diabetes association and more than $9,000 to go towards the construction of the boarding home.
The cyclists are hoping to meet their goals by the time they reach Ocean City, Md., around Sept. 3.
Two other friends, Philip and Andy Knowlton are following the riders in a car, while filming a biking documentary of the experience.
The crew has also put together a Web site and blog so visitors can monitor their progress and pledge donations.
Although fundraising has been difficult, Driscoll said he was hoping to secure donations in some of the larger cities, such as Kansas City, Mo., Chicago and St. Louis, as they travel east.
"We're hoping for some big stuff there," Driscoll said.
heyy guyss..
just wanted to let you know what you are doing is amazing. You are a great role model for me and my peers. Im a freshman, and with everything in the world these days you really are a great reminder that we can do anything we put our minds to. your spirit is great and all the luck to you!God has put you on this earth to really do something special~ as he has all. So stay strong and God bless..
In Him.
So I had the opportunity to ride with you guys, if only for a morning. The ride for me, although not easy, certainly was a slower pace than what you three do all day long and I learned a few thing I hadn't experienced before. (or was reminded of)
1- The effort it takes to ride all day almost everyday must be nothing short than amazing.
2- Teamwork. Without good teamwork the task would be so much more difficult. Remember that is the key to your success. Pushing and pulling the team members along not only during your ride but throughout your time together.
3- You guys are truly blessed to have the strenth and conviction to attempt this ride.
4- Be thankful you have a good support team with you everyday and others thinking of you as you cross our country.
5- I'm reminded our lives are about the journey and not the destination. And what a great journey your on.
6- I'm am very luck to have son's like mine and lucky to had the chance to experience a little part of your day.
So we all miss you guys and continue to look forward to your return on Labor Day.
Mr. D
wow...sugar city?! that is awesome, is is filled with diabetic bikers?
I love your pics! Keep up the good work :)
Kim W.
You guys stayed in my home town, Haswell!!! =D Haswell is an amzing little town ah? ;P
I'm glad you guys didn't get lost there!!! I had bikers stop by my house once becaue they couldn't find thier way back to the highway and they were just two blocks away from it...It was strange I must say! I thought it was impossible to get lost there! Haha!
Anyways I just happened to stumble across here and saw that you guys were in Haswell so I thought I had to say something. =)
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