Its gonna take way too long to explain everything i went through so i'll keep it brief and attach a lot of pictures and video's.
The 3 day train ride was tough. The days felt so long and the meals they had was way over priced so i ended up mostly eating cup noodles and hot dogs. And since i had coach seating i had a hard time sleeping and couldn't take a shower or change my clothes so i was really ripe by the time i got picked up by Harrison, my fellow B&B'er who lives in Raleigh, NC. We picked up Mike, Teresa, and Amy and went to Harrison's house where i was finally able to take a shower, which was great!! The next day we drove for three hours to Nags Head for our two day orientation!!
I've been slacking on posting anything and i tried to attach photo's and video to this post but for some reason its giving me a hard time so i will figure it out and post a bunch of pics as soon as possible!!
The first 24hours on a train has been interesting. I took over three seats in the viewing lounge area and thats my little space. I haven't even returned back to my assigned seats yet; I slept here last night. It wasn't the best sleep but it was ok.
In the 24 hour duration, I've made it from Portland, Oregon to 3/4 across Montana. It was interesting how the color of the grass and trees gradually changes from green to green/yellow and from mountainous forests to rolling farm lands to just flat with no mountains in the horizon. The view is kind of starting to be boring but i suppose it's kind of relaxing at the same time.
My one criticism of taking the train is the speed. It's so slow. I wish it was faster; like a bullet train! :D I think if i wasn't taking my bike i would rather fly. I mean, you can't beat the views but 3 days of travel is a long time. If it was a closer destination it'll be fine but 3 days.. it's gonna be tough. But It'll be a great first time experience. :]
Day one of my three day train ride to North Carolina. Had a little trouble with checking my bike as is. I ended up having to but it in a box and so my goal of keeping it a roller kinda died. But other than that its been a great start. I'll be on the same train all the way to chicago; a trip that'll take about two days. Then switch trains to go to Washington DC and then to Raleigh North Carolina where one of my fellow rider lives. All in all the trip will take about three days+ and It's my first time on a train so we'll see how it goes..
Support my Bike and Build journey!
Last Saturday my fellow UO bike and builders and i organized a small event where we got a bunch of students together and rode out bikes to a local Habitat for Humanity build site and volunteered our time. It was a lot of fun riding with everyone and a great insight to what Bike and Build was going to be like. I can't believe i'll be going across the country in less than two weeks! i'm so pumped!
Support my Bike and Build journey!
I just updated my "thank you" page so be sure to find your name on there!
Thank you to my most recent donors, Sam Matsunami, Ken Nagao, The Jasper's, Tina Dickson, Andrew Daugherty, Lois Yoshishige, (Moya, Keiko, Emi), jimmy Stewart, Joe Caves, Maggie Matoba, Rhiley Rivera, Mike Takahashi, Hiten Shah, Dee Butler, Eric Stewart, Allen Taug, Bud Houseman, Betty Houseman, Andrea Asai, and Eric Fung.
My fundraiser dinner last weekend was a success! It was a lot of fun an i got over 10 names on my bike!
Now to answer the question thats on everyones mind. - "How much did you raise?"
Ok so including everything, like the percentage of the night, personal donation i got during the event, and a couple late donations that they would of gave at the event. So in total i surpassed my goal of $500 and made $538!!! And i put 12 new names on my bike!!
Thank you so much to those who came to my fundraiser! It was a lot of fun hosting the event and seeing you all!
And i want to give a special thanks to Shawn for letting me use Johnny Oceans, and to Jerry and Spencer for the amazing performance! Thanks!
From 4pm to 8pm, come enjoy the tropical atmosphere, fresh food, great drinks, and live music at Johnny Ocean's Grille on Sunday April 22, and support me, Alex Caves, your local University of Oregon student who is riding a bicycle across the United States this summer to raise money, awareness, and roofs for families in need of homes. I will be hosting and waiting tables wearing my cycling jersey and my bike will be on display for all to see. So come on down to Johnny Ocean's and help me raise $4500 for my summer of giving. And bring all your friends!Johnny Ocean's Gill its located on the north side of Oakway Mall next to Coldstone Creamery.
I am proud to present Jerry Gleason and Spencer Doidge as our live performers for my fundraiser event 'Great Food, Great Cause', Sunday April 22. They will be performing for approximately 45min, at 6:00pm so be sure to come on by to check them out!
Thank you Jerry and Spencer for donating your time and sharing your talent. Your names will be on the bike I'll use to go cross country with and it will be displayed at the event so be sure to check that out!
From 4pm to 8pm, Johnny Ocean's Grill is helping me raise money for my cross country cycle tour with Bike and Build.
So come enjoy the tropical atmosphere, fresh food, great drinks, and live music at Johnny Ocean’s Grille on Sunday April 22 and help me raise $4500 for my summer of giving. And bring all your friends, family, coworkers, neighbors, everyone and anyone!
I've just got my food handlers card so I'll be hosting and waiting tables wearing my cycling jersey greeting everyone who comes in. And the bike I'll be using this summer will be on display for all to see.
Here's the poster for my event. Let me know if you would like one for your work place.
I am putting names of all my supporters who has donated $20 or more on my bike so if you want to have your name displayed during this fundraiser dinner please click the donate button to the right.
Thanks for any support!
I want to thank Shawn Rahimian for helping me organize and letting me use Johnny Ocean's for my efforts towards Bike and Build. I will be putyour name and Johnny Ocean's logo on my bike which will be on display at the event!
I will put your name on the bike I'll use
to go cross-country with + thank you card
$50 or more
I will get you a Bike and Build T- shirt +
everything above
$100 or more
I will take something (small) of yours across
the U.S. with me + everything above
$300 or more
I will send you a post card from each
state I pass thru + everything above
$700 or more
You will get a 3D printed stainless steel keychain that I've designed myself + everything above
Please note: Everything you will receive in return will be coming out of my own
pocket and not from the funds that I have collected. All the money you
donate will go straight into my Bike and Build account.
