The Pedal With Purpose '06 consist of a series of rides  and fundraisers to take place between now and the end of the year and hopefully beyond!

What do I want?
To realize a  dream of a prolonged journey around the world by bicycle. Bringing hope to others along the way. To raise awareness that we all can help each other. I will participate in this ride as well as my cross country ride . I will focus on supporting two charities  LIVESTRONG^®  Challenge Austin is one of  them and the other is the High Sierra Foundation. ( Katrina Relief Fund)

Why are you doing it?
The short, popular answer: ‘Cos I can! The other answer  I’ve been dreaming of experiencing the world by bike for a few years, because the dream causes countless sleepless nights, because the opportunities for the adventure are present, because the bicycle is a fantastic way of traveling - the world is beautiful and I get to help others out as I travel. I want this ride to be for a purpose. While riding for just me is really cool in itself. I want this ride to be for higher purposes. I believe the only reason you should desire or aspire to go to great heights, wealth or fame is in order to serve others.  This is my time to do that!

What are my goals?
Traveling around the world by bicycle from August '06 until...The purpose of the journey is charitable - I will raise much needed funds for musicians devastated by Katrina via the High Sierra Foundation every mile I  go. The starting point of the journey lies in the exploration and giving and thus I’ll be inspired, challenged, impressed, fascinated, amused, stunned and surprised at the variety of our wonderful planet and its inhabitants. The purpose of the realization of this dream finds no explanation in the statistics or in diffuse ambitions of traveled miles. In spite of this a guess is that the travels will lead me through more than 8 states and involve more than 3,400 miles. The length of the journey? I generally don’t operate with a strict time schedule - the horizon given by nature will be my compass and the motivation of making a difference in a few peoples lives will be my inspirational guide!

How did you come up with the idea?
In my teenage years I use to ride a lot with a friend of mine named David Hundley. Years past with a ride here in there. 1996  the desire to ride remerged  and I found an opportunity to bike across China. This dream was not realized at the time but has served as inspiration in this adventure. Hopefully the opportunity to ride across China will present itself again. Hmmm, maybe Pedal With purpose '07. I will not miss the opportunity that is here now. As I began planning for the trip I kept hearing stories of musician after musician affected by the storm. How could I sit back and not try to make an impact.

Why now?
In November 2005 I  started the journey of going from Fat to Phat. I started by changing my eating lifestyle. I started riding the bike again in Jan. via a spinning class. The opportunity to support the High Sierra Katrina Relief Fund is great motivation ,too.  I think of the quote "If Not now? When? If not me?  Who?" Now is the time to take action, that is the WHY.

Schedule:

• Cross Country Ride Savannah to San Francisco   August 24th -
• Launch Party to be in Atlanta GA @ Atlantic Station  Wednesday August 23rd  Special Guest Futureman From Bela Fleck and the Flecktones.
• Ride Thru the Country Century Claxton, GA   November ??
• LIVESTRONG Bike Ride Austin, Texas October 8th
• Ride for the Roses Austin October 15th (only if I hit my goal of 15k for the LiveStrong Ride)
• Donate here  for the Live strong Ride        Big Thanks!
• Donate Here for High Sierra Foundation's  Katrina Relief Fund for musicians.