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

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.

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!

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!

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.

Amazing Things on Bikes

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

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!