Bob Lee and A Ride for 3 Reasons

I received an e-mail, yesterday, from someone named Edson McLean, asking for my help in spreading the word about a very special man, and the ride he is undertaking:

Bob Lee, a 65 year old blogger who is riding his bicycle 6,500 miles across the United States to raise money for charity. 

Bob Lee is the man behind A Ride For 3 Reasons, a cross-country bike ride to raise funding for the fight against Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS) and cancer, and to support hospice care. 

And Bob is donating every penny he raises (and I mean every penny - not one cent goes to expenses) to these three causes very near and dear to him. 

Because he has no marketing orexpense budget, Bob is completely relying on donations and word-of-mouth to publicize his ride and to get donations.

Bob started his ride on March 29, and is posting daily updates (including photosand videos) on the blog during his ride.

He also has a message board for people to share their stories and thoughts.

Quicken Loans is proud to be a sponsor of A Ride For 3 Reasons and we are privileged to have been given the opportunity to donate the new web site and blog for Bob's ride.

The buzz is already starting and Bob's original goal of $195,000 raised has already been met and he is just starting the ride.  His new goal of $500,000 should be a piece of cake. 

With your help to promote A Ride For 3 Reasons, perhaps Bob will raise $1 million before his ride ends in October.

It all goes to great causes, so there are only winners in this ride.

I pedaled on over for a look at the website.

This isn't the 1st cross-country ride he's done, just the latest. ;-D

The 3 Charities are the American Cancer Society, The Les Turner ALS Foundation, and the National Hospice Foundation.

3 of my favorite posts, on his picture filled blog, so far:

“It’s more important to find significance in your life, rather than what most people consider ‘success’ in their careers”.

Bob realizes something we could all learn from: The most important things in life are not the dollars you have in your bank account; rather it’s the people you touch as you complete your lifelong journey.

3/28: Finding Significance With A New Web Site.

I can relate to those sentiments.

My life was going nowhere, more or less, before I began to makes changes at the age of 39.

Getting a computer, forsaking credit cards for the next 8 years, making career changes after 18 years in a dead-end job, and moving to Orange County all were important mileposts along the way, but there was something else that changed my life in so many ways;

Going online, joining a few forums, and eventually becoming a Blogger, especially a BikeBlogger.

Through my early forum experiences, then my Blogging, on both Blogs, I've grown as a person, made new friends, had many profound life altering, and other, experiences, and I've touched the lives of many people.

On my 2001 cross-country ride I met a group of lady cyclist who were also riding from San Diego to St Augustine.  I had often thought to myself, what do the ladies do when they needed to go?  So to be sure I am continuing my education, I asked one of the group leaders. 

She said at first it is difficult, but within a week they learn that if they squat off the side of the road and shut their eyes, no one can see them. 

Well today, I was riding through some low swampy areas.  Bruce’s advise was don’t stray too far from the side of the road and don’t shut my eye.  There are alligators in the swamps.

3/31: To Get Where You're Going You Have To Leave Where You Are.

Again, those are words that have strong meaning for me because if i had not left my previous life behind I would not be who, and where, I am today.

One of the joys of taking a bike ride some place you have never been is discovering the street, and business signs or, if you are lucky as I once was, a Burma Shave Series, so that's why I liked The Bee City Petting Zoo and Other Signs from April 7th. ;-D

There are 4 ways  people can make Donations, including that One or more miles can be adopted for just $20 each.

I don't know if I will ever manage a cross country ride, but I've got this notion to ride up Highway 101, in stages, from San Ysidro, to Santa Barbara, and similarly along Route 66, from Santa Monica to Needles.

I've riden 66 miles in one day before, and I plan on doing my 1st Century, so anything is possible! ;-D