The school year is beginning to wrap up here in Madison, I'm actually writing this as I sit at a desk studying physics (exciting I know). What is exciting though is that in a little over a month I'll be embarking on a cross country bike trip!
As the beginning of this trip nears my excitement is continually growing. I can barely believe that something of this magnitude is actually happening. To make it happen though I'm relying on support from  my great friends and family. Our goal is to make a difference, something that I am determined to do. I thank those of you that have already donated and am so appreciative of your support for such a great cause. To those of you who have yet to donate, please do! Feel free to donate whatever you can, anything helps. Also tell your friends and family, anyone who would be interested. Donations are great, but our other goal is to raise awareness. I would love for everyone to know what this program is and what we're doing.
This spring has been quite interesting when it comes to training. The weather has been unpredictable to say the very least here in Madison. Luckily a fellow participant, and my close friend Donnie, were able to visit North Carolina in April and get in some training. Sunny and 70 is a recipe to put a smile on anyones face. I was also lucky enough to see my wonderful family while there, really a treat. As spring becomes summer I look forward to time to ride. What were short 25-30 mile rides will quickly turn into 60-70 mile trips.
Can't wait to see all my friends and family back in Ann Arbor for my month long stay. Despite how much I'll miss Madison it'll be really great to be home. If you're in the Ann Arbor area and want to go for a ride I'd love to go out sometime, just let me know!

Fundraising

Hey everybody, like I said in my last post; it's time to get to work on my fundraising. So here come the shameless solicitations. My fundraising goal is 4500 dollars, nice bit of money. This money goes to support Bike and Build and affordable housing in general. Money raised by this trip is donated to groups like Habitat for Humanity who are focused on providing affordable housing.

Now is the time when I have to rely on my friends and those around me and ask for their support. Any donations would be greatly appreciated, from both me and those that this trip will benefit. If you'd like more information send me an email, I'd love to hear from you. If you'd like to donate the link is attached below, please select my name from the drop down menu (Kennedy, Lucas (NUS)). Also below are a link to the bike and build website, as well as an online brochure. I really appreciate any support that you can provide.

http://www.bikeandbuild.org/cms/component/option,com_wrapper/Itemid,118/

http://bikeandbuild.org/Documents/2012_Brochure.pdf

http://www.bikeandbuild.org/cms/index.php

http://www.bikeandbuild.org/cms/index.php

New Year

As the new year rolls along, it's time to get into Bike and Build mode.
Training regiment? Check.
Fundraising? Getting Started.
Excited? Little bit too much so.
2012 is finally here, and my trip this summer is finally starting to feel real. While I'm unbelievably excited, I'm also a little intimidated. Having never undertaken a project of this magnitude, the sheer scale of it is starting to really become evident. The nervousness isn't the kind of petrifying, hide in the corner kind, but rather the "wow, let's do this" kind. As I prepare to ask my friends around me for their support I realize that it starts and ends with me, and that's where my motivation for this trip will come from.