Fundraising Goal Now Met!!!

As of today, my fundraising goal has been surpassed!

Thank you so much to everyone who has donated so far! The raise is still almost a month away, this means that MORE than $900 will be going to Lakes Area Habitat for Humanity- and boy, are there a lot of families in need.

I'm getting excited/nervous for the ride, it's going to be tough, but it's also going to be an incredibly memorable wonderful experience, from everything I've been told. :)

65% Raised!

I've been looking into alternatives for FirstGiving because of the high percentage they take out of each donation. (7.5%!!!)

They are a good organization and all, but that's a bit much, in my opinion.

I've found my new donation site! GiveMN.org is AWESOME. They DON'T TAKE a percentage AT ALL. The link is to the right, under my picture- "Give to my cause!!!"

Lakes Area Habitat for Humanity is all set up now, and I've created a profile for donations on the site.

I thoroughly appreciate everyone who's given so far- and don't worry- if you donated on FirstGiving, it's ok! Only $5.25 in total was taken in administrative fees.

Just wanted to give everyone an FYI. Also- short training ride on the Cuyuna Trail this weekend, then off to VISTA camp. :)

Spring Gives Way to Summer

Summer came really fast this year, did we have a spring? Just saying.

Something that I've noticed about using my bicycle as my summertime transportation vehicle is the amount of grievances I've come to have with Brainerd/Crow Wing County.

I don't like to think of myself as a Negative Nancy, but I guess it's just more noticeable when I'm closer to the ground.

1. There are no bike lanes. Anywhere.

2. There is no safe way to cross Hwy 371, College Drive to the Wal-mart/JCPenny area being the safest.

3. The streets are in incredible disrepair in all the residential districts.

4. I'm assuming that the city is assuming (got that?) that one only uses bicycles for pleasure.

5. The amount of times I've almost gotten hit while downtown Brainerd. This is by vehicles turning into crosswalks.

Guess why I haven't? Paying attention to every car at every intersection and crosswalk. I would be flat on the pavement otherwise.

6. How few usable sidewalks there are in NE Brainerd.

7. The lack of usable, wide shoulders on 90% of county roads.

Good things about biking in Brainerd:

1. The Paul Bunyan Trail.

2. On some county roads, there are signs that have a bicycle and say "Share the Road"

example: HWY 16, Pequot Lakes

3. The general air quality.

4. The growing number of transportational bikers, despite the above complaints.

Feel free to add your own comments to the lists!!!