5 Days and Counting...

In 5 days I will be setting off to begin this summer's journey. I can hardly believe it's already May 22nd, and I haven't yet wrapped my head around the fact that I will be literally cycling across the country. It feels surreal.

I don't even know what to say.

Am I excited? Definitely, but not as excited as I should be. I can tell you now, I will laying down in bed in Baltimore on Saturday night and right then, at that moment, the scope of this adventure will come crashing into my consciousness--and I won't snag a wink of sleep.


Am I nervous? No, but I probably should be a little bit of that too. I'm sure nervousness will join excited in revelry on Saturday night.

What's left? I would like to get one long ride in before departure, and give my legs a well deserved rest before Sunday. All that's left to do is pack and run some errands, picking up a few last minute things for the trip.

Fun Fundraising News

To-date we have raised $4,756! I'd like to take a moment to thank Bill & Kim, Ralph & Laura F., Nicole F., and Charles O. for their generosity. It is very much appreciated!

And a special thanks to Lena S. for her tip about Maria Tollock's essay on the 4K mission! I encourage you to check out her adorable write-up.


Keep in touch this weekend--it's sure to be update-filled. I will launch the Latitude Map on Friday so you can see my whereabouts along the route. Starting Friday I will also be posting blogs daily, so SUBSCRIBE TO EMAIL UPDATES! (you can do that in the top right hand side of this page).
The days are counting down quickly...

'Til Next Time,

James
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photo credit: Team Traveller via photo pin cc

WE DID IT: Breaking the $4,500 Barrier!

This post has been coming for a long time...
...and I apologize for the delay.

One wonderful thing keeping me going this final's week (which has been a long one, believe me) is watching the progress bar tick up towards the $4,500 minimum. Packing and studying were tired and draining. However, last night I arrived home and happily reported that

The $4,500 minimum has been reached!

WE DID IT!

I remember thinking last November "how am I ever going to raise $5,000? What if I never make it to the $4,500? What if I fail and I can't get a spot on the ride and all my effort and funds go to waste?" I was scared. I didn't know what I was doing--I had never fundraised before and I didn't know where to begin.

But I made a decision.

I decided to just go for it. I reached out to friends, family, bloggers, fellow riders, those who had been there and those who are going with me. I asked for advice and ideas. I kept moving, innovating, looking for the next step. And sometimes I was overwhelmed. I saw the thousands of dollars left to raise and I thought that it wouldn't be possible to close gap. I felt that I was headed right towards where I was afraid to go: failure.

I didn't enjoy this mindset, it went directly against my push to be positive and seize opportunities. I tried to think ahead, telling myself "I'm not sure how I will get there, but I will."

And now, seemingly in the blink of an eye, I'm here. The burden's been lifted, we're over the $4,500 mark, and whether we make it to $5,000 or not I will be setting out from Baltimore on May 27th. I can accept that.

But, I'm only here because of you and I will never forget that. Thank you everyone, especially those who have recently joined the mission: Bonni R., Amelia T., Jennifer Y., Arthur O., Meagan K., Marissa B., Alicia S., the Defalco family, Daris F., Amal M., Julio M., Steve E., Tim B., AU Methodists, Robert C., Noelle M., Anita M., Kevin B., Tiffany C., Barbara L., and Damianos T. I would not have reached this milestone without you.

Now that finals are over and the academic year has come to a close (I'm still trying to find out where the time went) I can focus on training, packing, and fundraising more than ever before. I'm very excited to continue full steam ahead.

Take a moment to appreciate how far we come and anticipate where we're headed. It's thrilling, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

We'll Be In Touch,

James

P.S. Check out what's been going on at the 4k headquarters: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150773269646687

Meet The Chariot...

She's home! I drove to Baltimore to pick up the Beautiful Felt Z-100 from Race Pace today! This is the bike that will carry me over 4,000 miles across the country.




Today was a fun day as I had to opportunity to do something I don't always have a chance to do--drive through the DC-Baltimore area. I left this morning from Tenley Campus in a candy-blue Ford Focus Zipcar (not the most flattering color but hey, the car was functional). A little apprehensive about my first time driving in the Baltimore-DC area, especially in a rented car, I feared the drivers would be agressive and rude. As it turns out, that's only back in my good ol' hometown, Staten Island. Apparently learning to drive in NYC will enable you to drive in most environments.

Google maps lead the way out of the district and onto the highway. After missing a left off of I-95 and surviving the agonizing speed limit laws that exist in DC, I finally made it to Race Pace. This awesome bike shop, which cannot be missed off of Key Highway, was welcoming, friendly, and extremely helpful. The guys there got me set up in no time. Overall, it was a very pleasant experience and I highly recommend them for any cycling need. In the end, Zipcar got me where I needed to go; reservation was easy, and the car was clean, functional, and equipped with all the plugs needed for an A/V input (the iPod was blasting the whole trip). You can even Join Zipcar and get $25 in free driving (which I highly recommend if you're a college student or city dweller).

The next task, besides reaching the $4,500 minimum and eventually the $5,000 goal, is learning how to use the clip-in shoe-cleat-pedal system. Race Pace was kind enough to show me how to use it there and allow me to practice some, but the real test will be making it functional on the road. I'm humbly preparing for the rite-of-passage zero-mph fall (*gulp).

It was an adventurous day, and it has only increased my excitement for this summer. Having the bike makes the journey all the more real. There is truly nothing greater than seeing hard work and dreams come to fruition.

I wholly acknowledge that I would not be where I am without YOU and your support (and the patience of a few very special people). So once again I extend my thanks and gratitude.

Also, a big THANK YOU to Fortune M. for her generous donation. We are faithfully climbing towards the $3,000 mark.

Lastly, do you have any recommendations for a name for the bike?

More updates will be posted later this week!

Keep In-Touch,
James

HALF-WAY THERE!

Guess what...

We've Reached the Half-Way Mark!
that's right, we have raised a total of $2,545!


So, naturally, I would like to take a moment to thank the awesome people who have helped us get this far:


The CWA: Local 1101
Tom & Donna O.
Allison L.
Sandy & Manuel M.
Lynette & Anthony F.
Anonymous

Now, we still have more fund-raising work ahead of us. We need to raise a minimum of $1,955.
But I assure you, this is attainable. As always, I will need YOUR help to get there. Tell your friends, tell your family, and spread the word.

Take a moment to send this link to a friend hasn't heard of the 4k for Cancer...go!

I have some exciting updates in the works, I'm excited to announce them and hope that I will be able to soon.
Check back for another post this Saturday.

'Til then, Keep On Riding,
James

The Math is Simple

Good Day everyone!

I hope you're all enjoying this beautiful spring weather. I know I have been silent for a little while, but that's only because I have been very busy.

During spring break I went back to Staten Island to try to conjure up some support from local businesses, which turned out to be disappointing. This, in turn, lead to a slew of inner doubts, oh-nos, what ifs, and sheer panic.

So I've decided to be direct and perfectly clear...

If I fail to raise $4,500 by Mid May, I will not be able to participate in the 4k for Cancer.

The math is simple: the donations cover the small expenses of the trip and allow room for profits, which are all donated towards The Ulman Cancer Fund and later redirected to other cancer charities.

I am not taking on this task for my health, for some adrenaline rush or all-expense-paid adventure.

I am riding in the 4k, cycling the demanding 4,000 miles from Baltimore to Seattle, in recognition of the people close to me who have been affected by cancer. I am riding for my friends, neighbors, and communities, who all have also been affected by cancer. And I am riding for YOU, the donors, the sponsors, the people who believe in a mission relevant to everyone and who believe in my ability to see the 4k through.

I will see the 4k through.

If you are reading this now, if you have been following this story and still have not donated--ask yourself why?
Your tax-deductible backing, of ANY size, is welcomed, cherished, and appreciated.

I understand these are difficult economic times--I am apart of them myself. There are many items, traveling costs, and cycling gear that I am responsible for covering, that I am saving up for out of my own paychecks (on top of all other costs).

No, I am not complaining.

I am showing you my side of things. There are obligations that I must fulfill, which I am dutifully and gleefully upholding.

But, I need your support! 

Besides monetary contributions, you can further show your support in a few simple ways: tell your friends and your family, spread the word to the community, and grant the cause some of your time & attention.

With YOUR help, WE can reach the ultimate $5,000 goal and bring strong support to the cancer community from coast-to-coast!


Best Wishes as Always,

James

P.S.

A Special Thank You to those who have brought us closer to the $2,000 mark:


Marie O.
Dr. D. S. Won
Kim P.
John M.
Chris B.


Every donation brings us closer...make sure your name is the next one listed!

Announcements & Thank Yous!

Good morning!

I'm excited to announce that the 4k for Cancer mission was featured in an article in the Staten Island Advance! This will play an important role in spreading the word through the community. I would like to especially thank Sebastian for helping me get the pictures squared away with the advance. You can read the article HERE!

I would also like to thank the most recent donors, Nancy M. and Justeena C.!

Finally, I would like to introduce the first fundraising event, meant for American University Students, Faculty and Staff:

I can't wait to see everyone join together in support of a great cause!

That's all for today, stay positive :)

James

Updates, More Updates, and Donor Thank Yous!

Good morning everyone, I hope all of your weeks are off to a great start!

First, I would like to thank the donors from campus who have made use of my gogetfunding page:
AK42, Haely, Devan, Adam, Sampen91, and Hannahcushen.

I would also like to thank the AU Methodists for taking the time to meet with me, showing their support, and helping me brainstorm ideas for garnering more support. Such a warm and friendly group of students!

And who could forget the generous donations of Anonymous and Bruce R. made to the 4k for Cancer profile page! Thank you guys!

On another note: We're Making News!


I wish to extend another thank you to my father's union, CWA Local 1101, for showing their support and spreading the word! You can view their 4k announcement here!

Another article is expected to be released this week in the Staten Island Advance. Be sure to check back for that update & more!

Enjoy the day,

James