World Bicycle Relief

From the moment I decided to do the ride I knew that I wanted to include a fundraising effort as part of the planning.  Even though it was going to be a little extra work I knew that I could use the ride to raise awareness and money for a worthy cause.  The World Bicycle Relief is an organization that I have always supported and it seemed logical that I use this ride to donate bikes directly to those in need of one.  The World Bicycle Relief is an organization that buys bikes and sends them to African country’s where populations don’t have access to easy forms of transportation.  In Africa everything is really spread out, and for children, walking 10+ miles to get to school is not possible.  The bikes allow people greater access to jobs, schools, and healthcare opening up a whole new world for them.  It was so awesome to think that with each mile I pedaled I would be helping to put a Bike in someone else’s hands. 

My hesitation was that I wouldn’t make it and that I would be embarrassed and ashamed if I couldn’t make it around.  If I went ahead with the fundraising effort I would have to make a webpage and tell everyone what I was doing.  It was scary because I had no experience with anything like this before and I didn’t want to come up short and let everyone down. I agonized for a few days trying to decide what to do.

Finally, as the days ticked away I decided, that even if I failed the money would still go to a great cause and I was not about to let my insecurities rob someone of an opportunity for a better life.  I set up a webpage and emailed my friends and coworkers.  Immediately donations started pouring in and in less than a week I had reached my goal and then some.  My original thought was to donate 10 bikes, one for each day of my trip.  But when I set up the site I made my goal 5 because I didn’t think there would be that much interest.  In less than a week I’d hit 5 bikes and by two weeks I was over 10 bikes.  The generosity of people was astounding and humbling to say the least.  Instantly the ride took on a whole new meaning and I was even more excited to support this charity and bring awareness to the WBR cause.

http://action.worldbicyclerelief.org/page/outreach/view/individual/BosmanLMCT

In the end I was able to raise over $1800 for the World Bicycle Relief and throughout the ride people came up to me and offered checks, cash, and even went on the website and donated.  It was as if everyone I met wanted to help, whether it be financial or just friendly encouragement.  It made me feel so