To Anne

“Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”  -Martin Luther King Jr.

Hello everyone! I hope this blog post finds you all well. I have had a lot going on in the past couple weeks, some of it very good and some of it very tough. Let's start with the good. As you can see, my bike came in the mail today!!!!! I cannot express how excited I was when I returned home from Crossfit to see my shiny new Defy 3 waiting to be opened. This was actually quite a surprise because UPS had sent me an e-mail saying it would not be here until tomorrow. I walked into my house and saw it sitting right next to my Trek waiting to be opened and put together. Tomorrow the new bike will make the journey to Summit Cycles to be assembled. 

Believe it or not, this was quite a sentimental moment for me. So many memories came rushing back. When I lived in San Jose, Alex and I rode our bikes to work (and pretty much EVERYWHERE) everyday. I was so jealous of her awesome road bike, when all I had was a dinky Schwin. (Long story short, I rode it approximately two miles home with a flat tire one day and it was pretty much finished after that. For some odd reason, I was very proud of this "accomplishment.") When I moved back to Wilmington, I knew it was time to get a "REAL" bike. My dad has been cycling for years, and knows a great deal about bikes. So, the two of us headed to Wilmington's local bike shop and purchased the Trek Hybrid 7.3. I love this bike. I cannot even express my LOVE for this bike. It sounds silly to love a thing, but this bike has carried me through some hard times. The trek has carried me through three different living arrangements, to two different jobs, to Wrightsville Beach over and over again, and has even ventured out in the rain many times. When I felt like I didn't have a home, I had the trek. The trek has seen me on my best days and my worst days. This bike has saved my life a time or two. To some it may seem like I am being dramatic, but to those who know me well, know that this bike was my saving grace. 

Now, I have a new bike. I am beyond excited about this, but I will always love my trek. This bike was my first real bike and I have to give a huge shout out to my father who bought this for me on my twenty-first birthday. It is truly the best gift I have EVER received. Thank you dad for sharing something that you love and value with me. I am forever grateful. And thank you to Alex for showing me that riding a bike is fun. Having a car is not a necessity of life and that the world is better seen with the wind blowing in your face, yelling at your friend, "CAR UP!" (Or on a bad day...I'm going to throw a spoke in your tire....Thanks Jess McCue.) Here's to new adventures and new friends on my new...Giant. 

Training ride on Sunday with my dad.

"Grief starts to become indulgent, and it doesn't serve anyone, and it's painful. But if you transform it into remembrance, then you're magnifying the person you lost and also giving something of that person to other people, so they can experience something of that person." -Patti Smith

I'd like to take a portion of this blog post and dedicate it to Anne Cushman Prettyman. Anne was family friend of ours, and passed away on Sunday. My father and I traveled up to Tennessee on Tuesday for her funeral. On our trip, I did a lot of reflecting. I thought about how we affect those around us and what relationships, meaningful relationships, really mean in our lives...in MY life. Anne was one of the kindest people I've ever met. I don't say that because she's gone, I say it because it's true. My earliest memory of Anne was at Thomas Sumter Academy when I was probably six or seven years old. She was my computer teacher and let me tell you, I HATED computers. (Not much as changed.) I would cry and cry over having to use that computer. I was afraid I was going to break it. (Some of you are laughing because I STILL do this today.) Anne was always patient with me. She never raised or voice or got frustrated.   She was always calm, kind, and collected. As I got older, I went through a lot and it became harder for people to get through to me. Anne was always supportive of me, and never gave up on me. One time she was on her way to Charleston to visit her son, and she made it a point to come to Camden to see me. She believed in me in ways I never could. Not just that, Anne believed in people. She gave so much to those around her and her heart was so full. Anne had a peace about her, I strive to one day have as well. With all that said, her death really got me thinking about WHY I am doing what I am doing. WHY am I riding across the United States on a BICYCLE?!   

I am doing this not just for me, but for other people. There are millions of Americans out there who never grew up in a home like I did. There are people struggling to survive because they can't afford housing. I am biking across the United States because I want to give back. I want to help. I want to be a piece to this puzzle. All the young people serving in any way out there...we do matter and we do make a difference. Anne gave to people everyday. She touched many lives and if I accomplish half of what she did, I will have done something spectacular. I wanted to give remembrance to her and the wonderful person that she was; she touched so many of us throughout the years. I want to close by saying that maybe by giving back this summer through Bike and Build, I can spread some of the love she gave me across the U.S. Just think about that...why do YOU give back? Why do you do what you do? Who has touched YOUR life? 

Until next time...happy cycling :)  

No Dream is too Good to Come True

This photograph is from the opening night of the Before I Die Wall at the Kershaw County Public Library. The idea is that everyone writes one thing they'd like to accomplish before they die. It's a little hard to see, but I wrote at the very top that I want to ride my bike across the country.

Hello and happy Sunday! I wanted to update everyone on my cycling adventures and my bike ordering process. I am eligible to order my Giant road bike and will be doing so next week. On Wednesday I am headed to Summit Cycles in Columbia to get fitted for my Bike and Build bike. As most of you already know, I ride my Trek Hybrid everyday to and from work. I absolutely love it and it's a positive way to start and end my day. I really don't count it as a part of my training though. It's just me having fun. :) However, TODAY I went on my FIRST OFFICIAL training ride. Since I don't have my Giant yet, I took the Trek for a spin around Camden. I learned many things from this experience. First of all, I need proper cycling leggings and gloves. What I wear the Crossfit just is not going to cut it. My poor legs were extremely cold in the forty degree weather. I realize that many people are surrounded by snow and CAN'T even ride their bike. I am grateful that I live in a part of the country where I can get out of my house and start training. I also realize that i have A LONG way to go. I'm super excited to get started, but I've got to kick it into high gear once my road bike gets here. And last, but certainly not least...there are a lot of pit bulls in East Camden. 

Next, I'd like to talk about the title of today's blog post. It comes from a poem Iyanla Vanzant wrote in one of her devotionals called, Faith in the Valley. This week I was thinking about my dreams and all that I want to accomplish not necessarily in this life, but in my twenties. Just like a lot of twenty-somethings, I fear the dreams won't come true or I'll run out of time to accomplish them. Then I ran across this poem and it was so inspiring! She talks about how when you dream a dream, all things are possible. I have a lot of gratitude for the adventure I am about to embark on, the people I'm going to meet, and all the people who have supported me thus far. I am so amazed of how encouraging people have been about my Bike and Build adventure. I cannot thank all of you enough! One of these awesome supporters send me a GREAT gift in the mail the other day... 

  Coffee and bikes...two of my favorite things. Thanks Jake! I have not only been inspired by my friends, family and supporters, but also by one of my teammates. The other day, I was looking at the 2015 riders to see if anyone else had created a blog. I was interested to see what others are doing, especially since I struggled even creating this blog! I stumbled upon Stacy Sprewer's blog and was totally impressed. Not only is her blog AWESOME, she is selling her artwork and other goods/services to raise money for this trip. I have mad respect for artists because quite frankly, it's something I think is so beautiful, but I'm not good at it...at all.  I ask those of you who were planning to donate to my ride, but haven't done so yet, to please donate to Stacy's ride. She has not yet met her fundraising minimum and I have. OR if you are DEAD SET on donating to me, donate a portion of that money to her ride. I have already corresponded with her about this and she is on board! You guys can check out Stacy's blog at http://stacymariesprewer.weebly.com/bike-and-build-store.html. If you'd like to check out her B&B bio page please go to http://bikeandbuild.org/rider/7971. I'm going to end this entry with a quote that sums up how I feel about this Bike and Build experience. 

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” -Mahatma Gandhi

HAPPY CYCLING! 

Happy New Year

Hey Guys!

I understand that many people will be reading this. For those of you who don't know me, my name is Mary Reames and I am twenty-four years old from a small town in South Carolina called, Camden. I've never started a blog before and I'm actually not very computer savvy. (This is slightly funny considering my age.) The reason for my blog is my upcoming Bike and Build trip. What is Bike and build, you say? Let me tell you.

Bike and Build is a non-profit organization that benefits affordable housing through service oriented cycling trips. They also empower young adults for a lifetime of service and civic engagement. There are eight different cross country routes and I will be participating in the North Carolina to San Diego route. (NC2SD) For those who know me well, know I LOVE North Carolina and I'm SUPER STOKED to begin my journey in such a wonderful place. I moved to Wilmington, NC in 2011 and it was a place of healing for me. Because of this, it holds a special spot in my heart. Of course, I'd hate to leave out some of my other favorite NC cities...Asheville, Charlotte, and Boone.

Okay, back to Bike and Build. In May of this year (yay it's 2015!) my team of twenty-six riders and four team leaders will begin the journey to San Diego. We will be pedaling for affordable housing, building homes for those in need, and giving presentations on the AH cause. Did you know that one-third of US families and individuals paid excessive shares of income for housing in 2012? This is a HUGE leap from 2002. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) considers housing to be affordable to a low-income family as long as the cost of housing, including rent and utilities does not exceed thirty percent (before taxes.) Growing up in a nice home, I never realized how many families were burdened by this.

I am really excited to be a part of something so much bigger than myself and to learn EVEN MORE about the AH crisis here in the United States. Throughout the next eight months, I will posting information about Bike and Build, my fundraising, training extravaganzas, biking adventures, and much more. If you don't already know, each rider is required to raise a total of $4,500. Much to my dismay, I have ALREADY surpassed my goal. I am absolutely humbled by how receptive people have been to me and what I am raising money for. I have received nothing but positive feedback from friends, family, and the community where I live. I plan to continue my fundraising, but I ask you guys to check out my teammates. Read their bios and if you read something you like, please donate. ANY AMOUNT, big or small is a huge help. Every little bit counts. To view my personal bio please visit bikeandbuild.org/rider/7818. To learn more about Bike and Build, the 2015 riders, and my team please visit bikeandbuild.org

I am going to end this blog entry with a little information about myself and my January 1st training adventure. Since you guys already know where I live, I'll tell you about what I do here. I work at a locally owned bookstore, called Books on Broad. Books on Broad is not just any bookstore. We also have a cafe in the back, where we make some THE BEST coffee around. (Provided by my beloved King Bean roasters in Charleston, South Carolina. THEY ROCK!) Books on Broad is also magical. Every day when I go into work, I look forward to seeing my regular customers, helping people pick out books, and saving the day with a great cup of coffee. When I walk into the store, I know I am home.

I also volunteer on the bookmobile with the Kershaw County Library. The bookmobile brings books to people who can't easily get to the regular library. This experience has helped me grow so much as a human being because I am able to get out of myself. I absolutely love the bookmobile and all the people we encounter on a weekly basis. I've learned that if I can keep an open mind, I can learn so much more about the world around me.

I am also an AVID crossfitter. I love my crossfit community here in Camden. They are like another family to me. With all that said, I kicked off my B&B training with a Happy New Years WOD.

We had to do twenty of what you all see posted above. What a way to start the new year!!!! I hope ya'll enjoyed reading what I had to say and MORE will be coming soon...especially once i get my bike. Words cannot even express my gratitude and enthusiasm for the journey I'm about to embark on. Happy New Year and Happy Cycling...



sidenote: Please excuse all grammatical errors. THANKS!