12 Days and Counting......

Less than two weeks from now I will begin a journey that I've been planning and praying about for more than 8 months. The most common question that I have been asked in the past two weeks has been, "Are you ready for your big bike trip?" My answer usually varies, depending on whether or not in that exact moment I feel like I'm ready. My emotions vary from excitement about the ride--who I'm going to meet and the things that I'm going to see, to fear--wondering how 24th day of the trip is going to feel with extreme saddle soreness while riding in 96 degree heat with a heat index over 110.
How does one get physically and mentally prepared to ride their bike 3500 miles in 50 days? To be honest, I'm not exactly sure. Conventional wisdom says that you ride your bike a lot beforehand, which I've definitely been doing. But even then, is it really possible to prepare your body to ride 75 miles a day all while carrying 25 pounds worth of clothing and equipment?
I'm not sure.
Do I ever get slightly overwhelmed thinking about it? Absolutely. But my mind always goes back to two things:
First, there are many people who have made this same cross-country bicycle trip journey that I am taking. It's good to know that while I may be a little on the strange side that at least I have some company of those who have successfully completed the trek. Secondly, and more importantly, this is less about a bike trip and much more about the thousands of HIV/AIDS orphans in Ethiopia. Right now there are 26.6 million with HIV/AIDS in Africa. Over 8,000 people die everyday. That's three and a half 9/11's per day. I can't seem to get my mind around that. HIV/AIDS in Africa is the greatest global crisis ever known to mankind. Anything that I can do, in light of what God has blessed me with, in light of what Christ has done for me, is the least that I can do.

THANKS to so many for your prayers, support, and encouragement. I have not started the trek yet, and I've already been extremely blessed by the interest that so many have taken in this project.