It is with pride and elation that we—Vicky Camp and Dawn Cothran—announce our intentions to fundraise for the local non-profit Trips For Kids WNC by riding our bicycles across the United States this Fall.
Trips For Kids is an international organization, started in San Francisco in 1986, with the intent to share the beauty and magic of the natural world from the seat of a mountain bike with at-risk youth. The kids in this program build a newfound confidence, discover their inner strength, and celebrate personal achievement, all with the aid, encouragement, and guidance of the trip leaders and volunteers. The youth in Trips For Kids are often profoundly impacted and carry their experience with them for the rest of their lives. Trips For Kids WNC was begun November 18, 2010 by Stephen Janes, a local western North Carolina bike racer and fanatic who has worked extensively in the outdoor industry with youth. Trips For Kids WNC is currently in the start-up stage and is in need of bicycles, a trailer, and plenty of gear (especially helmets). It is our intent to use our ride as a way to bring exposure and funding to a fantastic, life-altering organization.
Why Are We Doing This?!
Vicky: I am planning to bicycle across the USA in celebration of my 50th birth year. I’ve been inspired by so many stories of folks who have crossed our Continent on a bicycle with the power of their own body, strong spirit, and will. This will be a test of pushing the limits of my endurance, physically and emotionally. I am hopeful to learn more about myself and about being self-sufficient. My recent addiction to cycling began with a road trip out West about 14 years ago. My husband, Ken, 17 year-old stepson, Scott, and I decided to drive to Santa Fe, NM on a short vacation. That’s when I discovered mountain biking in the desert. Out of the blue Scott asked us if we could rent some mountain bikes and go for a ride. We stopped at a local bike shop, rented three bikes and a bike rack for the car and with minimal knowledge went to the closest trails. We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into. Hours later we made it back to our car, dehydrated and hungry, but somehow exhilarated by the great adventure.
Dawn and I would like to share our adventure across the United States with you as we document the trip we are about to embark upon in our blog. We hope you will join us in your thoughts.
Dawn: I have been riding bikes ever since I was a wee little thing. However, it wasn’t until I went on my first mountain bike ride as an adult that I discovered the extreme excitement and bliss of flying down a mountainside, feeling entirely out of control and free. Drool was flying down the side of my cheek as I smiled and laughed so openly, unable to shut my mouth, the charm and allure of the forest surrounding me. That’s the day I fell in love with it; I remember it very distinctively. Since then I have been fortunate to explore dirty trails both regionally close and out west, my passion fueled, fired and expanded upon. For over five years now it has been my dream to ride my bike across the U.S. I’m looking forward to enjoying the slow beauty of our countryside, earning my way through a long honest sweat, and crossing paths with all the facets of human kindness and raw truths along the way.
We will be self-supporting, carrying all our gear and food from the coast of California to Virginia Beach, Virginia, beginning in late August of 2011. We are looking to be extremely frugal as we pedal, living off of peanut butter sandwiches and camping for free most of the time. However, we do anticipate a decent accrual of expenses. The accumulated cost of food for 6-8 weeks (likely our biggest expense!), an occasional splurge on a shower in a campground, shipping our bikes across the country, airfare, and any mechanical issues our bikes may encumber are our biggest financial concerns. We have already purchased our bikes and are writing a couple of gear companies to help us with our equipment needs. We have decided to dedicate this ride to raise funds and awareness for Trips For Kids WNC, an organization with a will to help make this world a little bit better of a place, an organization we stand proudly and honorably behind. If you would like to help make our trip a success, and reach our goal of raising $5000 for Trips For Kids WNC, please donate now.
We will be updating this blog of our journey periodically until we leave and more frequently once we are on the road. We would Love for you to travel along with us here through the blog and to hear from you all along the way. Feel free to comment on our blogsite and share with us your thoughts and wisdoms. If there is something extremely personal you want to share with us we can also be reached at mailto:www.touringirls520@gmail.com. There will also be a link to our blog through the Liberty Bikes website, our current employer and supporter. Liberty was begun over 30 years ago by Mike and Claudia Nix out of their basement. Though the shop has certainly expanded beyond the Nix's basement, Mike and Claudia are still the current owners of the shop. They both currently spend a large chunk of their free time doing advocacy work for bicycles, city-wide bike lanes and greenways, and bicycle education and awareness in the area. Liberty is an award-winning bike shop with national recognition.
In closing we just wanted to share that we feel it truly is the heart and soul of folks like you that make the change and good in this world manifest. Thanks for any and all that you can give to Trips For Kids WNC and The Tour, however small or hearty.
Many Smiles and Much Gratitude,
Vicky Camp
Dawn Cothran
the 520s
