Welcome to my blog!  This summer I will taking on the biggest challenge of my life, riding my bike across America with 19 other riders from all over the United States in order to raise funds and awareness for the American Lung Association and its critical research, education and advocacy programs in the Big Ride. This will be 48 days, 7 weeks, of camping and cycling 3300 miles from Seattle to Washington D.C., June 21-August 7, 2010.

On February 28, I decided to take on this challenge head on and dedicate the ride to two important people in my life: a friend and former client, Tom Oviatt, and my Grandfather, James Scott.  Tom passed away at the age of 32 and overcame many challenges he battled with asthma.  He was an amazing spirit full of life and dreams.  Tom left behind a young daughter, Payton. Tom was a great support system for me always encouraging me to take bigger challenges in life and sports. This ride is also for my Grandfather, who was a coal miner and developed black lung disease from inhaling dust particles in the mines.  I was only 3 when past from a heart attack, but grew up hearing stories about him playing baseball in the mine leagues and polishing his car.

The opportunity to do this ride and help make a difference in so many lives would not be possible with out the financial backing of the Carolina Chevrolet dealers in the Upstate South Carolina and Asheville North Carolina areas.  On March 2, I spoke individually with three representatives of the dealer group asking for their support: President of the group - William Farrell of Farrell Chevrolet in Spartanburg, SC, Wes Bradshaw of Bradshaw Chevrolet in Greer, SC, and Richard Kay of Richard Kay Superstore in Anderson, SC.  The dealer group decided that this was a cause that was important to them as well, and voted to support me in the ride during a meeting on March 3, and I have been on cloud 9 since. It is truly an honor to represent this group of dealers during my training here in North and South Carolina, as well as my ride across America.

Over the next six months, I will be blogging about my experiences during training and the Big Ride Across America, what I am personally learning about managing my own exercise induced asthma condition and managing it. I will also be writing about the Carolina Chevy dealers, and ask that when you are in the market for your next vehicle to consider buying a Chevy and to consider buying one from one of my supporters - even if you live don't live in the area, they can still take care of you! 

Join me on this journey through this blog, my Facebook Fan Page, website, and Twitter. I look forward to sharing my journey with you!

-Kristin A. Snyder