...in which we take a break from technology, Smart Grid, and doses of irony to talk about some charitable efforts I'm undertaking this summer. When I say "efforts" I mean just over 1,000 miles on a bicycle in charity events (and another 3,000 miles or so in training).
Depending on what you care about, I hope you'll pick one of these events, and make a donation to sponsor me (or us, since my Beloved Bride of a shockingly high number of years is joining me on at least one of them).
This list is in rough chronological order, but grouped by the charity
that the ride supports (and from whom you will get your tax deductions).
Tour de H2O - 5/30/2015 100km / 62 miles
This is a Columbus, Ohio event that supports the work of Global Partners
for Development to provide clean drinking water and sanitation
facilities in Kenya and Uganda. Imagine having to hike 4 miles or more
to get clean water, if it is even available at all. That is the
situation many in rural Kenya and Uganda face.
Lack of clean water in a community has far reaching implications. Limited
access to water influences the sustainability of other critical needs,
including education, economic development, nutrition, environmental
health and gender equality. Sick adults are in a poor position to take
care of their families. Sick children are unable to go to school or they
have to drop out of school because there is not enough time for them to
complete their daily chores, which includes spending substantial time
getting water. Women also spend hours gathering water, which is time
that could be diverted to income-generating activities that could
enhance the standard of living for their families. According to the
World Health Organization, "improved water and sanitation also
contribute to gender equality and empower women, being linked to school
enrollment and attendance, especially of girls." A steady supply of
water is also important for irrigation and livestock to keep crops and
animals strong and healthy.
In total, a reliable source of clean water can go a long way in helping a community break the cycle of poverty.
Marcy and I are riding this together, and you can sponsor us here:
http://www.tourdeh2o.org/pages/kotting.aspx
Tour de Cure - June 6, 2015 160km / 100 miles
I
have two friends who have Type 1 Diabetes (the kind that isn't a result
of bad choices, just bad luck). In Type 1 Diabetes, your pancreas is
pretty much under attack all the time, and can't make insulin the way it's supposed to.
I do this ride
for Julia and Nina, two amazing young ladies whom I have come to admire
for their ability to hang in there, and face the world, and their
disease.
This one kicked my behind last year...4,800' of climbing hurt.
https://donations.diabetes.org/site/Donation2?df_id=15871&PROXY_ID=9267156&PROXY_TYPE=20&FR_ID=10141
Bike MS Events
I
do a lot of these. They're great events, well supported and
interesting and challenging routes, but I mostly do them because I have
family members, friends, neighbors and co-workers who are affected by
MS.
MS
is currently understood to be an autoimmune disorder in which the
immune system attacks the meyelin sheath surrounding the nerves.
Imagine a short circuit inside a computer. Now imagine that the
computer is your brain, the thing that controls all pain sensation and
muscle movement, all perception and speech.
It
is a challenging disease to deal with, because the nerves are
constantly in a state of damage and repair, so the symptoms are
inconsistent, and sometimes devastating. It usually affects people in
the prime of life, and affects women disproportionately.
Bike to the Bay - June 20 - 21, 2015 320km / 200 miles
This
is the first of the three MS Bike rides I'm doing this year. It's the
one that Marcy and I did together last year, but she can't ride in this
year because of a schedule conflict.
Sponsor me here:
http://bikeoha.nationalmssociety.org/goto/ckottingB2B15
Central Ohio Challenge - July 11th, 2015 160km / 100 miles
This
is the toughest MS Tour that the Buckeye Chapter puts on. It's a
pretty similar course to the Diabetes Association Tour de Cure, and the
climbs will put a hurt on the unprepared. I take this one on because I
have so many friends who can't.
Sponsor me here:
http://bikeoha.nationalmssociety.org/goto/ckottingCOC15
Buckeye Breakaway - August 1-2, 2015 282 km / 175 miles
This
used to be the Pedal to the Point, the tour that got me back on a bike
back in 2004. New route this year, new turnaround point, better
facilities. The real point here is that a few thousand people get
together to challenge themselves, and do something to stop a terrible
debilitating disease.
Sponsor me here:
http://bikeoha.nationalmssociety.org/goto/ckottingBB15
And finally, the big ride of the year:
South Dakota for Sun Dial - August 23rd-28, 2015
705 km / 435 miles (estimated)
This
is being put together by a friend, to support a retirement/assisted
living facility in his home town. More details as the plans come
together.
I'm a little shocked by the mileage I've committed to this year, a total of 1,072 miles.
If you want to help me make good on those commitments (or just want to see me suffer all summer) pick an event and sponsor me!
