My first video blog!

So, on the day I reached my 1,000 miles (for the year) I am trying out a new form of 'recording' info. and my thoughts to share with you all!

My fundraising is going well so far and I am preparing for my Big Ride...

Here is my first effort at a video blog...Stephen gave a thumbs up for my 'performance'....hope you enjoy it!

JULY 16, 2012

Moni (hello)!

Well, I am plugging along,  not writing on the blog...I have realized it is exactly the same for me as a diary, or journaling...I like it, but cannot seem to make it a continual, ongoing habit.  I don't know how people do it.  I do not always feel like it, so don't write.  It is certainly not that there is nothing to say or write about, because there is sooooo much, always!!  Oh well... here we are in July and I have a new plan...every Monday morning, that will be the plan, I will post something on the blog, whether I feel like it or not!

I will start with a quick update about my ride...the last post I gave the stops, and want to add that I have reserved campsites all along the way, so I am now locked into the locations and distances!!  In addition to that, I have booked 3 speaking engagements along the way - Karen's Ride Eve, we will be speaking in Kittery, at the Rice Public Library.  On Thursday, September 6th, we will be speaking at the Camden Public Library and on Friday we will be at the North East Harbor Library, near Bar Harbor!  We are very excited about all that, and look forward to spreading the word about Malawi!!

Check out the previous blog post to this as I have added some maps showing the various day's rides.  I have also done some updating on the website, so if you haven't looked at that lately, check it out.

Today the temperatures outside will be in the mid-90's and tomorrow close to 100 degrees!  I do plan to ride tomorrow morning as early as possible to beat the heat...here you see a picture of my sad bike, all alone hanging from the ceiling!  I have recently done some work to that, and it feels like a new bike!

Educate Malawi is plugging along doing craft shows and making new connections all the time!!  We are working on some collaborations for our scholarship program and we are also eagerly awaiting the Fall to begin our pen pal program again.  We have a vision to expand both programs and it is very exciting indeed!!  Will keep you posted and update the website as soon as possible with all the information.

Tionana (goodbye) for now!!  and Zikomo (thank you) for your attention!

Karen

Karen's Ride has been scheduled!

JUNE 14, 2012

(photo taken 2011)

So, my training has been ongoing and I have begun to plan my next Big Ride!!  We have held our 4th annual bike-a-thon for Educate Malawi, Inc.!  I am preparing for my second annual Big Ride for Educate Malawi.  That is what has prompted me to write today...I have riden 637 miles this year toward my 2,500 miles for the year.  This week I have  also mapped out my ride for September!  I am very excited about it. 

I will begin riding either September 4th or 5th - I am hoping to do a speaking engagement in Portsmouth, NH on the 4th about Educate Malawi and then would start riding in Kittery, ME. the next day.  If that does not work out, I will start riding on the 4th. 

So, here is the map of the ride...Map of the Coast of Maine: 

So, from Kittery to Calais is approximately 291 miles.  I realized when I started mapping this all out, that by the time I got up there it would be really close to Canada!  Plus, we will have to drive home from wherever the end point is.  So, Calais will be the route up and we will double back until I reach the 500 mile mark.  I have identified campsites along the route and have roughly figured out the mileage per day.  It is not consistent, some long days, some shorter.  I have no doubt that it will be beautiful scenery and I hope to spend some time spreading the word about Educate Malawi! 

BREAK WAS TAKEN HERE...AND I RODE MY BIKE SOME MORE...

I have riden 658 miles this year so far and have begun riding with some men I used to work with who are crazy!!!  They ride the hills around this area, and it is a challenge for me to keep up.  However, it is fun and is helping me stay motivated and focused on the training that will be important once that time comes!

In case anyone is curious, the 8 day ride will be mapped out as follows:

1. Kittery to Freeport 

2. Freeport to Camden

3. Camden to Ellsworth

4. Ellsworth to Harrington 

5. Harrington to Calais

From here, I 'backtrack' down to Camden, which will bring me to 500 miles!!  The maps will just be a reverse of that route.

6. Calais to Harrington

7. Harrington to Ellsworth

8. Ellsworth to Camden

HOME!

I plan to post the exact routes as time goes by.  Hopefully it will not be another 2 months before I get back in here to post.  I have had thoughts of video-blogging...taking video of myself talking and saying what I would want to write, but taking the fraction of the time to do it - genious, right?  But...am a little self-conscious of putting my face on here like that, so I will try to 'write' again sooner than later.