25% There!

Today I took stock of my contributions, and I have successfully raised $1005 dollars (that I know of, HBC doesn't notify us immediately of new donations). I am officially one quarter of the way towards my goal. If every dollar was a mile on my bicycle, I'd be over halfway through the great state of Kentucky. ** Tangent: Did you know that George Clooney is from Kentucky? He was on the cover of Kentucky Monthly in December 2006 to celebrate "Kentuckians of the year." It strikes me as curious that one of Hollywood's most liberal devotees is Kentucky's chosen son, but perhaps the times they are a changin'.**

Also, please tell anyone that is looking to part with a few dollars, that I could use as many donations as possible this month. My matching grant ends Feb 1st!

Hooray for bicycles!

As of yesterday, I had my first trip to the bicycle repair to store to accomplish two things: a) to repair the front break of my training bike that seized up on me while riding along Riverside Drive (it screeched like one million fingernails scraped simultaneously on an industrial-sized chalkboard); and b) to get measured for my summer touring bike. For those interested, I should ride a 52 or 53cm frame, and apparently I have a 78cm inseam - long legs according to Leo at Metro Bicycle Stores. Considering that I always thought I had a freakishly long torso and short little legs, this new development is encouraging for my self-esteem.

Tomorrow is also supposed to be my first real training ride outdoors. Heretofore I practiced in spinning class or I rode my little folding bike around my neighborhood. But one does not move very quickly on 16" wheels, and it's time to get practice in the great outdoors. However! Here is the big however, weather.com predicts with 80% accuracy that it will be raining at 8:00am tomorrow morning -- the perfect time for riding my bicycle before work. AND, I am a big wimp when it come to riding in the rain. My inner monologue on riding in the rain: "Well, I don't want to risk rusting my frame, and I don't have any fenders so I'll get mud splattered up my back. Plus, it will be very cold and I could get the flu or some horrible disease." Right, I'm a wimp. As my dear roommate Beth said, "girlfriend, if you're going to be riding across the country, you're going to experience a little rain."

Here's hoping I can face the 48 degree drizzle.

Or, maybe, I should reschedule for Tuesday.

Matching Grant!

Thank you to my anonymous donor who has bequethed me with a wonderful opportunity to turn my piddling fundraising efforts into a full-scale operation. As of December 26, 2006 I received an offer to match any donations collected through February 1, 2007. This is a huge gift to my fundraising campaign and I can not say thank you enough to the wonderful people who are making that possible! Also, my next fundraising goal is $1500 by February 1, so this gift is (to say the least) very convenient.