Goal

Hi. I'm riding my bicycle 525 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles in February to attend the annual TED conference (www.ted.com) in Long Beach. Last year I completed the ride in 6 days, and raised $10,681 for ATC.

This year I plan to complete the journey five days. I'm departing from the center of the Golden Gate Bridge at sunrise on Wednesday, February 23. My goal is to raise at least $5,000 for ATC. I encourage you to make any level of contribution, but if 10 people pledge $500 each -- less than $1 per mile -- I will achieve my fund raising goal. And, of course, I'll be delighted if we raise even more!

Anyone (and everyone) who donates $1000 will receive a personal tour of my company, Rickshaw Bagworks (www.rickshawbags.com) -- where we make cool messenger bags right here in San Francisco -- and we'll make a custom messenger bag for you during your visit.

Donate $5000 and I'll host a bag making party for you and 5 of your friends and/or work associates. It makes a unique and fun team-building event for your office or workgroup.

I chose this goal because

I'm an avid cyclist, and an advocate of bicycling as eco-friendly and healthy alternative transportation. In addition to ATC, I'm a dedicated supporter of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition (www.sfbike.org). I ride my bicycle to work almost everyday here in San Francisco.

I have completed three SF-LA rides. I ride solo and unassisted (no support vehicle). I don't camp -- I want a hot shower, good meal and a bed after 8-12 hours in the saddle. Motel 6 rocks! The coastal route along Highway 1 -- also called the Great Highway -- is breathtaking. My first ride was in February 2009, to attend the TED conference. That ride took 5 days during an incredible week of clear sunny weather. My second ride was in February 2010 -- my ATC campaign ride -- also to attend the TED conference. That ride took 6 days, as I struggled with heavy rain and strong headwinds on the second and third days of the trip. My third ride was in September 2010, to attend the Opportunity Green conference. I completed that ride in 4 days, averaging 130 miles per day. I'm hoping for clear, calm weather conditions, but I will ride rain or shine.

I'm helping because

I've been an ATC supporter for eight years, and I think the work these folks do is very important. And, it's tough work! I have four children myself, ages 12, 14, 16 and 18. My kids are the same ages as some of the kids ATC seeks to help -- and some of these kids have young children of their own. It breaks my heart to think about the circumstances that lead these kids to homelessness, and the conditions and situations they find themselves in on the street. While there are a number of organizations here in SF that seek to assist homeless youth, ATC runs a unique program that reaches out to kids that fall outside these other programs.

I have the utmost respect for Rob Gitin's dedication and humanity, and I'm using my ride to engage a group of friends and associates to raise awareness for ATC, and to make a financial contribution to this important organization.