$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...

New fundraising idea!

Once I reach $1,000 I can order my bike and start training.
My new idea is that everyone who donates up to the first $1,000 will get their name written on my bike.
So donate now to help me get my bike and have your name ride across the country with me this summer!

Donate here using google checkout,
it's super easy and they email you a receipt for your tax-deductible donation.

Magnets!

I picked up my check from Bricolage a couple days ago,

I sold 11 magnets in December and made $53!!!!

Can't wait to deposit this and add it to my Bike & Build account!

here are some of my magnets that you can find at Bricolage in Boise or buy directly from me

More details on my B&B route!

Click here to check out where and when I'll be biking through a town near you!

I am so excited for this route, it looks absolutely amazing and extremely challenging (duh).

Here is a list of some of the awesome reasons why I am excited about this route

• I've really wanted to visit Charleston for a long time, having heard nothing but good things about it
• This route has the most build days (17), and according to B&B's website they "fund and build an entire house in the process"
• We have a build day in Athens, GA which is another awesome place friends have advertised to me
• We have a day off in Little Rock, AK
• 6 build days in Colorado Springs!
• During our build day in Rifle, CO I plan on making as many references to "my guns" (my muscles) as possible, my team will love me.
• We bike through the lovely Salt Lake City, maybe I'll ride my first roller-coaster there... maybe.
• THEN, we head into Idaho!! Biking through Burley, where my Grandma lives.
• Build day in Boise (where I live), I'll introduce everyone to my big city livin'
• I'll turn 21 in Chico, CA
• then we finish in beautiful Santa Cruz, CA where I will hopefully stay for two days extra to fully cherish and unwind from the insanity that I have survived.

I've been hearing that Mustache Mondays are a B&B tradition, I look forward to them. I would also like to add Facepaint Fridays, or any day really. Facepaint is great.

recent date changes

• was: May 23rd-Aug 17th
• now: May 24th-Aug 12th

flashback!

Here's an old picture of an athlete and I at the
2010 National Special Olympic Games in Nebraska.

This was one of my favorite projects in Americorps, definitely the most fun.

Getting volunteer hours while dancing is the best way to do it!