$1,179 raised!

I'll be ordering my bike soon and begin legitimately training.
Also, planning for my head-shaving fundraiser is still in the works. Chances are it will be occurring sometime between March 17th and 24th... So stay tuned and save up for your chance to bid on shaving my head!

Here's a Valentine's Day present

from me, to you

and the rest of the internet...

$838 raised so far

There is still time for you to get your name written on the bike I will be riding across the country this summer. Everyone that donates up to the first thousand bucks essentially gets a square inch of advertising space!
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS AMAZING OFFER BY DONATING BELOW!!
http://bikeandbuild.org/rider/6006

haha, that's not obnoxious at all...

Once I raise $1,000 I can order a bike and start training (better than I currently can on my Schwinn from the 70's). Then I need to raise $2,000 by March, then the GRAND SLAM of $4,500 by the start of the trip in May.

Maybe we can strike up a deal, I'll draw something for you for a donation? sound good?
Send me an email if you would be interested in donating for a lil somethin' extra
jesstornga@gmail.com

You can check out some of my art here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jesstornga/sets/72157627003376533/

Boise Bike Project

So I finally bought a membership to the Boise Bike Project!!!

"Boise Bicycle Project (501c3) is a community-oriented effort to promote the personal, social, and environmental benefits of bicycling. It functions as a bicycle recycling center as well as an educational workspace in a diverse and non-threatening atmosphere. Through education and access to inexpensive bicycles we strive to build a stronger bicycling community."

 I did some work on my current bike, an old Schwinn roadbike. All that's left is a persistent and mysterious squeak the guys at BBP tried for 30 minutes to fix. I've decided that I simply have a very vocal bicycle and that I shouldn't try to stifle it's creative expression.

I've been doing some research on the bike I'll be using for this summer. Bike & Build recommends this bike, but I've been hearing that that is too much to pay and that a carbon fork won't hold up for a cross-country bike trip. It's sounding like a steel/chromoly frame/fork will make for a safer and more comfortable ride. Some friends and the people at BBP have continually been recommending Surly bikes, either the Cross-Check or Long-Haul. I'll continue to research and request advice for this steep purchase I'll be making in the near future.

$563 raised so far, $1,000 due at the end of February. Once I reach the $1,000 mark I can order my bike, whatever it ends up being. Once I order and get my bike I can start training!! Whoever donates up to the first thousand bucks get their name written on my bike!!!! Donate now to take advantage of this ONE TIME OFFER! I should do infomercials...