Sunday, August 14, 2011

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Misery or Missouri?

"Cycling through Missouri is like climbing the same flight of stairs for 6 hours in a diesel gas chamber, wearing a full-body sweatsuit while you have 4 hairdryers on high heat blowing in your face"
-dan Northcutt

Monday, July 18, 2011

Highs and lows

So I know I am bad about posting here and uploading photos from the journey has proven to be more difficult than expected, but perhaps now that we are nearly half way through I can get me act together.

If you have been keeping up with other riders blogs then you know the basics of the trip. We wake up early we repack our bags, praying everything will fit back in there. Scarf down breakfast, pray for coffee, and hit the road. Bike, tell each other stories, fix flats, eat lunch, bike and push through the last ten miles of the ride into the host.

For the sake of time I will now bullet point my highs and lows so far.

Lows
-Leaving Pittsburg
-riding in the van for 2 days after leaving Pittsburg
-crying/walking over the mountains in Pennsylvania
-being intimately acquainted with the smell of road kill and its level of decomposition


Highs!
-Mike Griffith applying chamois butter in full view of small children at a gas station
-biking along the ocean in new Hampshire
-naming my bike Mr. Ed because he runs on peanut butter
-the food from all the churches we have stayed with
-banana dogs for lunch (banana in a hotdog bun with peanut butter and honey)
-snuggle puddle
-warpaint wednesdays
-feather Fridays
-playing Ina fire hose
-mardi gras beads
-tie dye
-sleeping in a barn
-Crossing the MISSISSIPPI river!!!!!!

More to come but here ya go!

Love,
Melissa

Location:West Dr,St Louis,United States

Tuesday, June 28, 2011


Painting our trailer!


Our first build day in freeport Maine.


Dinner at mike Griffith's


Dinner with the webber family


Pre-ride yoga


Bikers!


We'll ride anything!



Wednesday, June 22, 2011

On the road

Andover in the rain

Today started of absolutely amazingly. Breakfast was great, everything bagels with CREAM CHEESE! The sun was shining and we rode along the beach for 15 miles and it was flat! Leaving tue beachfront we headed into the trees and the beginnings of east coast hills. A few wrong turns added a few miles and a few hills but i'd like to think of that as prep for the hills and miles ahead of us. As we were 10 miles our from andover the skies opened up and the rain came down.

Tomorrow is a build day here in Andover. I can only hope it will be as great as the build in Portland.

Love
Melissa

Sunday, June 19, 2011

I Love Orientation!

Two days done.
Day one was filled with name games and sharing the highlights of life stories. It isn't a surprise that everyone on the trip is amazing, I wouldn't expect anything else. Today we went on our shakedown ride, a short ride to work out any gear troubles and get an idea of riding in a group. We also did a small obsticle course to sharpen up our cycling skills. And finally this evening we began the epic task of paiting our trailer with the help of a projector.

Tomorrow is our first build day right here in Portland. Word is that we will be framing of course I will upload some wicked pictures of that.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Goooaaaaaaaal! and Maaaaaaiiiiiiil!

Big News! We hit my fundraising goal on June 3rd with $4090!  It is because of all the wonderful people who have supported me!

Raising that now seems like the easy part. Ahead of me is 4,000 miles and 12 build days. You can be a part of that too by sending a little mail my way. below are the dates and addresses we will be receiving mail at. So drop a little note, postcard, letter or knick-knack in the mail to me. Every bit of encouragement is welcome.

Again I CANNOT thank you all enough for being such wonderful supporters!
 

Bike & Build groups will receive mail approximately once a week while on the road, and welcome letters and packages from friends, family, and supporters. Mail will be delivered through USPS General Delivery. Please be sure to send mail in ample time to arrive prior to the pick-up date and only through the United States Postal Service (The Post Office will not accept mail from any other carrier). Address mail to:
Bike & Build
Attn: CYCLIST NAME
General Delivery
STREET ADDRESS (if noted)
CITY, ST ZIP

Please mark the envelope or package with "Please hold for pick-up on DATE."
Late mail will be forwarded to the mail drop two weeks ahead. Late mail from the last two mail drops will be returned to sender.
 
 
Maine to Santa Barbara
June 23
20 MAIN ST
ANDOVER, MA 01810-9993
June 30
9 PINE HILL RD
MOUNT POCONO, PA 18344-9998
July 07
516 CHESTNUT ST FRNT
COSHOCTON, OH 43812-9998
July 13
206 E 4TH ST
BLOOMINGTON, IN 47408-9998
July 21
1260 E SAINT LOUIS ST
SPRINGFIELD, MO 65802-3408
July 28
900 GARTH BROOKS BLVD
YUKON, OK 73099-3812
August 04
415 N PENNSYLVANIA AVE
ROSWELL, NM 88201-9998
August 11
100 W FRONTIER ST
PAYSON, AZ 85541-9998
August 18
22801 W OLD HIGHWAY 66
SELIGMAN, AZ 86337-9996
August 25
23642 LYONS AVE
NEWHALL, CA 91321-2542

Monday, May 23, 2011

Life Happens.

Things have been crazy around here lately. My BFA Photography exhibition opened on Friday night and was a huge success. If you are around Seattle stop by the Vashon Gallery in the Fine Arts Building of Seattle University to check out the great projects from the year.

I also got a visit from my 2 biggest fans, Mom and Grandma, this week! it was great to show them around Seattle!

But the biggest news you are waiting for is an update on my fundraising! I only have $100 left to reach my goal!! If you haven't donated yet be a part of this awesome project by clicking HERE!

Best Regards,
Melissa Ettman

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Sunday, SUN-day, SUNday.

So it was sunny today. There is nothing quite like a SUN-day in Seattle. It feels like the population quadruples because everyone leaves their cave to feel the sunshine on their skin. The only problem is, we all promptly burn. I look like a par-cooked lobster but we must each make sacrifices for vitamin-D.



But enough about the sun. I woke up this morning knowing it would be an incredible day. So after savoring my sweet potato pancakes (that pancake mix was one of the best Easter gifts ever, right after the Leonardo DiCaprio trilogy I got sophomore year) I threw on my Bike and Build jersey, spandex shorts and helmet and hit the road! After 30 miles, a stop at Matthews Beach Park, Metropolitan Market and a non-stop conquering of one of Seattle's most daunting hills I was back at home. It was my longest ride to date. I was thinking about how far that was back at home and I could go to Geneva and home again and I would still have to pedal another few miles. 


In other biking news

Last night was my 3rd street fundraiser. I pedaled my hardest for 2 hours at the corner of 10th and Pike. I raised just over $100. That puts me at $3,330.  Of course I met some great people and had a great time. And I want to send a shout out to Mary Pauline Diaz for stopping by last night.

If you have a few minutes please go to the Bike and Build website and make as much of a contribution as you can whether it is $5 or $50 every bit helps!

Cheers,
Melissa Ettman

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Capitol Hill Knows How its Done!

This weekend deserves the biggest post ever, but I will try to keep it short.

FRIDAY! The morning started at 6:30am at the gym with 15miles in 1 hr on the stationary bike.
The BIG event Friday night. I ended up biking outside of Quinn's Pub for 2 hrs. Komo4 news stopped by but I totally forgot to watch the news that night because my legs were sore and I wanted to fall into bed. Of course everyone who stopped by was amazing and great and had wonderful words of encouragement. I made $150 and an orange!!!! WHOOO! The news coverage from local organizations and bloggers was absolutely wonderful. 

SATURDAY! I had an old bike laying around with some flat tires so I decided it was the perfect chance to learn how to change a tube. Well...I got the tire and tube off but ran out of time before I had to pick up a friend at work. the second half of the tire change will happen later this week. (You can't rush these things)

SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY!- I spent a quality 2 hrs at Bike Sport in Ballard getting my bike fitted, picking a new saddle and retaping the bars.  My bike is looking better and riding smoother than I ever could have imagined. Bike Sport is a really great bike shop and the employees are super helpful and nice!

Well Happy Week. Back to the weekly grind if you have 5 minutes please go to http://bikeandbuild.org/rider/4989 and make a donation.

~Melissa

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

BUSKING or FUNDRAISING? YOU BE THE JUDGE!

Hello my friends family and aquaintences,

As you may or may not know I am cycling across the country this summer (10 weeks nearly 4,000 miles) to raise money and awareness for affordable housing. I am doing so through and awesome organization called Bike & Build.

To reach my fundraising goal of $4000 I will be Busking/Panhandeling for an hour and a half in the cold dark Seattle night this coming Friday night. You'll see me set up on my stationary bike pedaling away. Bring a dollar, bring $20, $100, or bring a great cheer and a smile to my face, or a cookie.



$500 of the money I raise will go to Capitol Hill Housing! they are super great check out their website at http://capitolhillhousing.org/

I know some of you are not in Seattle but you can still be a part of my journey by checking out my page and donate at

http://bikeandbuild.org/rider/4989

Post a comment if you have any questions.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Bicycle Rights!

HAPPY SPRING!


I went for my first ride for the sake of a ride today. Nowhere to be nowhere to go, just ride. The sunshine made it a good way to start Spring Break 2011.

I also had the first of many existential cycling moments. Why bike up the hill when it would be far easier to walk? Answer: Not because I want to, but because I can




I couldn't be living in the PNW without paying homage to this video!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Panhandling for Affordable Housing

Tonight was my first night of "panhandling" at 10th and Pike in Seattle. It was a really great night I made $130 in 1 hour!! Everyone was so generous. It was a last minute plan, but totally worth it.

Thank you everyone who came out to support me. next time I get out there I'll give you more warning!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

What A Week!

Wow I have had a crazy couple of weeks!

I finished my finals last night, which means only 1 more quarter of university left. A mix of sheer excitement and utter fear. It also means there are only 10 more weeks until I meet up with my team in Portland Maine to start this great Bike and Build adventure.

The next exciting event of this week was the $2000 milestone. I am officially half way to my fundraising goal!  Help me reach the next milestone $3,000. Whether you can donate $5 or $500 every contribution gets an individual or family closer to a secure home to live in. 


My bike also came this week. It arrived in its Giant cardboard box and I assembled it all by myself, but promptly had to call a good friend to check/fix my derailleur (Matt that's a shout out to you, thanks). It is truly a beautiful soon to be torture machine. I took her on a quick spin around Capitol  Hill before the rain started and the sun set.


Saturday, March 12, 2011

Amazing Things on Bikes

I stumbled across this compilation video from the Bicycle Film Festival. It's really fantastic

Friday, March 4, 2011

Seattle Weather Takes Over Again

OOOOH the rain came down, came down, down down. 

Seattle in March is not a time for those who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder. My hopes to get out on the corner of 10th and Pike to fundraise have been thwarted by the rain. It is cold and rainy here in the booming metropolis of Seattle but there are some rays of sunshine coming from this week.


On Wednesday I met with Micheal Seiwerath the Executive Director of Capitol Hill Housing Foundation. It is an amazing affordable housing organization working in 10 Seattle neighborhoods providing affordable housing to individuals and  families. It turns out that they run a building that I have loved since moving to Seattle. The architecture is amazing and they were able to preserve it! Their website is http://www.capitolhillhousing.org/

In other news... My bike is on its way. I can't wait to show it to all of you!

Monday, February 28, 2011

Bike Ordered!!!

Hey there everyone!!
I ordered my bike today through Bokoo Bikes! I went for the upgrade to the Defy 2. It is one sexy machine!  Here is a pic of the soon to be Melissa Powered Machine. Of course I will put up pictures when I get the real thing in my hands.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Snow Day in Seattle!

No classes! But that also means no spin class. That means I am hitting the trainer tonight after work instead of hitting the gym.

In other news... I have reached $1000 in fundraising! as exciting as that is I still have $3000 to go.  Help me get there by donating at on the Bike & Build website.

Right now I am planning my first public fundraiser for Friday March 4th. If you are in Seattle that night you will find me at the corner of 10th and Pike on Capitol Hill pedaling on my stationary bike panhandling for a little green. I'll be dressed in my full biking kit. This is weather permitting, if it is raining or snowing  I'll be postponing the event. Of course I will post more details here and on facebook by the middle of next week.

Cheers,
Melissa 

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Mirror, Mirror on my Bike


While getting ready to order my bike and trick it out with all the necessary gadgets I started debating a mirror. Some people say yes get one and some people say "No, you don't want to see the car as it is hitting you from behind." I feel rather strongly about the latter opinion and therefore here is my inspiration for the day...


Monday, February 21, 2011

Happy Presidents Day!

Happy Presidents Day!

I hope Obama gets an extra big bouquet of flowers.
In honor of this wonderful long weekend I bought an indoor trainer for my bike. It felt a bit contradictory to buy an indoor trainer on a beautiful sunny Seattle day. But I did get on it for an hour this morning and got some reading done simultaneously until my hands got too sweaty to flip the pages of the book. here she is. I haven't named her (the trainer) yet. Let me know if you have any ideas.





Friday, February 18, 2011

Gear is Rolling In!

I got my first Bike & Build Jersey today!!
I am so excited to flaunt it around Seattle!
Help me get on my bike by going to the DONATE tab at the top of the page and make a contribution



Tuesday, February 15, 2011

The Beginning

This is the beginning of my great adventure. Cycling across the country with my own two legs. To get myself in the mood for spin classes here is this week's theme song.
 

As of right now I have raised $190. I must reach $1000 in order to get my bike and get on the road. Please help be ride my bicycle and donate to the cause!