Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
Warren Wilson College graduate Katie Spotz is one inspiring woman. Last year, she rowed the Atlantic Ocean on a solo voyage to raise money for clean water. Now Spotz has embarked on a cross-country bicycle trip with a teammate, Sam Williams, who also completed a similar solo row.
Here’s what the two are doing, according to www.rideforyourlives.com:
On 18 June 2011, Katie Spotz and Sam Williams, along with a group of friends, are going to set off from Oceanside, CA for a trip across the USA to Annapolis, MD. There are plenty of sensible ways to do this trip … but Katie and Sam haven’t gone for one of them.
They are going by bicycle and, from the moment they start, they’re not going to stop, riding 24 hours/day until they reach the finish!
Riding in the Race Across America, after more than 3,000 miles, over 100,000 feet of climbing and nowhere near enough sleep for the 8 days it’s going to take them, what will be the point?
Well, other than the simple answer of “Why not?”, they are also raising money for a Blue Planet Network and FARM-Africa project that will bring water to some of the poorest communities in northern Kenya.
So, sit back, get yourself a cup of tea, and have a look through the site for more information. You see that “Donate” button at the top? Try to have a look there before you leave too!
Spotz, who had been training on a road bike, recently broke her pelvis. So she’s had to go to a three-wheeled bike that she pedals with her hands. Amazing. Check out rideforyourlives for updates.
Here’s a photo gallery of Spotz recent stop at Warren Wilson. And here’s a recent blog post by Asheville Citizen-Times outdoors writer Karen Chavez about Spotz’s adventures.
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