I can't believe TOMORROW starts the first day of my Big Ride Across America for the American Lung Association.  WOW, time flies.  As I sit here in Seattle putting final preparations together, I get overcome with a slew of emotions. From extreme excitement and wishing I could start right now to anxiety, thinking what have I gotten myself into??!!  7:30AM tomorrow, June 21, 25 Big Riders will roll out of SPU heading 77 miles to our first stop in Easton, WA. Click here for our route map .

The preparation for this trek became a journey in itself.  Through the radio, tv, newspaper interviews, fund-raising events, training rides from each of the Carolina Chevy Dealerships and/or their towns throughout Upstate and Western, NC, I have been fortunate to meet many people along the way and share my story with them, and more so, have people share their stories with me.  I will never forget May 12, during my fundraiser at Rey's, Karen Moldovan, who saw me on the Your Carolina morning show came to give me her support and share her story.  She is a lung cancer survivor and was getting her last kimo treatment on May 17. It is because of people like Karen that I have decided to dedicate each day of my ride to someone who is in my life or whom I met along the way. Sometime during each dedicated day, I will take a picture of myself holding a sign with the person or dealerships name that day is dedicated to and post it on my Facebook, Twitter, and blog site. Click here for dedication list .

My first TV interview! Your Carolina with Jack and Kimberly, a morning talk show for the Carolina's, interviewed me on May 12 to inform people about my Big Ride as well as to help promote that night's fundraiser at Rey's in downtown Greenville, SC.  I'm used to getting clients prepared for interviews, going over questions and answers, etc. Now tables are turned.  I was excited, anxious, nervous, and thinking I forgot to get a hair cut! Wes Bradshaw from Bradshaw Chevrolet in Greer, SC joined me for the interview.

Click here for the clip of the interview!

Richard Kay of Richard Kay Superstore in Anderson, SC stopped by to wish me well.  Wes and Richard are talking up the BMW Classic golf tournament, which they both played in that weekend.




Your Carolina with Jack and Kimberly is broadcast live from Michelin on Main in downtown Greenville, SC.

This is what it is all about! Bringing a community together to create awareness for the American Lung Association!  On, Wednesday, May 5, 2010, I went to Clinkscales Chevrolet where owner Billy Clinkscales organized a community ride for my Big Ride Across America.  A diverse cycling group of all skill levels came out to ride with me...I was honored and humbled.  Todd Newsome, General Motors Zone Manager, came out to ride with us as well!

(Billy Clinkscales, Kristin Snyder, Todd Newsome)


Shortly after the Carolina Chevy dealers decided to sponsor me, Billy called and couldn't wait to schedule rides for his dealerships.  Billy's enthusiasm for this ride and its meaning has been contagious. It has revived my energy and has added extra motivation.  The ride had extra meaning to the Clinkscales family as both Billy's father and grandfather suffered from Asthma.



Clinkscales Chevrolet has been in Belton, SC for 53 years!! Its been 37 years Billy himself has had the dealership.  When he started he was second youngest dealer in the country! Clinkscales Chevrolet is all about family.  Two of Billy's children, Michael and Beth, are third generation to work in the dealership. Michael, joined us for the ride as well, and is pictured below cooling off.


 
Like me, Billy has cylced since he was a kid riding all over Belton.  In fact, the same route our group did is the same ride Billy and his friends did on an Saturday morning...when he was 8! He said it took them almost all day and" we felt like we had ridden across country."  

"Riding last Wednesday was special because I was riding with new friends and old friends and it gave me the opportunity to share the community where I grew up.  Some of the people who rode with us have never visited Belton and didn't know what a beautiful community it is.  Cycling is great exercise and is a great way to see the country and have fun."

Our route in Belton, SC - gorgeous country ride!


Next ride with the Clinkscales' family is May 13 at 5:30 at Woodruff Chevrolet, Woodruff, SC.  Be there!

-Kristin

Join me and the Greenville Social Scene our Fight 4 Air - something thatbenefits us all!!  Don't miss out on the hottest party in downtown Greenville, SC.  On May 12, we will be have a blast at Rey's while raising money for my Big Ride Across America benefiting the American Lung Association .  Rey's will have drink specials along with Silent Auction & Raffle items galore!! Check out the growing list of items below. 

I'm riding 3300 miles from Coast to Coast in order toraise money for a foundation that touches many of our lives, theAmerican Lung Association . Many of use are affected by the research andassistance which this organization provides with out even realizing it.Many of us have, or have family/friends who have lung or breathingissues...whether it be Asthma, Emphysema, Lung Cancer, COPD, Infuenza,etc.

The American Lung Association is the leadingorganization working to save lives by improving lung health andpreventing lung disease through Education, Advocacy and Research. Withthe generous support of the public, they are "Fighting for Air." Whenyou join the American Lung Association in the fight for healthy lungsand healthy air, you help save lives today and keep America healthytomorrow.

Details:

Where: Rey's - 20 N. Main St, Greenville, SC

When: May 12

Time: 6:00PM - 10:00PM

What: Fundraiser with Silent Auction & Raffle to raise money for the American Lung Association

Why: Because I lost my mind and decided to ride 3300 miles across America to make a difference!

Silent Auction - note close time in front of Item:
- 9:45PM (2) Corp Spon Passes to Sunday's BMW Pro Am Golf
Tournament @ Thornblade
- 9:45 (2) Season Passes for Greenville's New Hockey Team
($830 value)
- 9:45 (2) All-Access Garage Passes for the NASCAR Nationwide
Series in Charlotte this October
- 9:30 Clemson's Dabo Sweeny autographed picture and football
- 9:30 USC's Steve Spurrier autographed football
- 9:30 (4) Atlanta Braves Tickets to an upcoming game to May 31
game vs Philly (1:05pm game)
- 9:30 RIDGID tool kits retail valued at $179-199, Jobmax 12
Volt Lithium Ion Combo kit with 3 attachment heads (power
ratchet, right angle drill, and right angle impact driver)
- 9:30RIDGID tool kits retail valued at $179-199, an 18 Volt
Lithium Ion Drill Kit.
- 9:15 Bandits Screenplay autographed by Billy Bob Thorton
- 9:15 Nashville Predators autographed jersey by David Legwand
- 9:00 NY Yankees Hall of Fame Moose Skwron autograph
baseball
- 9:00 Memphis Grizzlies mini basketball autographed by #22
Rudy Gay
- 9:00 Professional photography session with Jessica of Jes park
Photography

RAFFLE: 1 ticket for $5 or 5 tickets for $20
Raffle - prizes drawn throughout night - So come early and stay late!
- 2 hr photography session with Delorinzi Photography
- Free private salsa lessons
- 2 hour public relations strategy session with Jessica Riley
- Free landscape design consult with Nikki Weed-Lecroy
- (2) $25 gift cards to The Irish Pub
- $50 gift card to Trio
- Christopher Ashley haircut
- $130 Urban Nirvana gift card for Massage/Shampoo/Blow Dry
- Manicure & Pedicure package from Terry Bradley & Strictly Nails
- Spyware removal or $99.95 worth of labor for any service they
perform D&D Computer
- Sales & Service
- 11" Digital Photo Frame from D&D Computer Sales & Service
- Handlebar gift cards
- Imagine Center free month membership
- Chevrolet package: USB port, leather notebook, car care kit,
and water bottle
- Aveda Ivy Salon – downtown $45 value haircut

Would you like to contribute an item for Silent Auction or Raffle? Contact me at Kristin.Snyder@SnydersFight4Air.org.

Can't make the Fight 4 Air Fundraising night at Rey's but would like to contribute? Click PLEDGE to go directly to my fundraising page to make a contribution. 

I look forward to seeing you at Rey's

Special THANK YOU to Scott Meadows and the entire Greenville Social Scene for all your time, efforts, and contributions to this night.  You are an outstanding and giving group of people!  Much love!

Kristin

I'm in Love...with my new Trek Madone 4.7 bike! It is awesome! So light, comfortable, smooths out the roads, climbs like a champ...oy ya, and it looks good too! 

The goal is to ride across America and in order to do that, I need a new bike.  My old road bike, a Trek 1500, is a great entry level riding bike, but for this ride, I wanted something offering more, besides, it was past time for an upgrade.  Let's put it this way, the 1500 is like that first car you bought - you know it will get you from point A to point B, you may need to work on it a bit and give it TLC, but you get to where you are going.  The new Trek Madone is like a new 2010 Camaro SS - its comfortable, it rides very well, it gears are powerful, you don't have to worry about it breaking down, and oh its got style!

The Great Escape and Trek took me through an entire new experience ordering my new bike.   Ric scanned and measured my body in order to come up with the correct size bike. 


After the computer gave its suggestion, Ric had me sit on two different bikes to see exactly which size would be best.  Because my old bike was slightly to small for me, and because this time I would be getting a WSD (women's specific bike), he measured my old bike and compared it against the measurements of my new bike to make sure the new bike was longer...and it was.  Time to order!

A week later, my highly anticipated couldn't wait for Christmas morning bike arrived!!  AHH!!! It was love at first sight!  WOW!! I tried not to druel to much, tried to act calm cool and collected, but I wasn't.  I was like a kid on Christmas morning! 

It was time for final adjustments.  With my bike on a trainer and me peddling, Ric watched from several angles to set the seat height and make sure my shoe clips were set properly. While he did that I played with the new gearing to get use to it - that only took seconds.

 

I have been on this bike for several weeks now - its been tested on a comfortable Jubille Joy Ride and more challenging climbing rides like the Assault of the Carolinas, Issaqueena's Last Ride, and Paris Mountain repeats.  It hasn't let me down! Great bike from a fabulous bike store!  Thank you Great Escape for great customer service!

Tables have been turned!  Usually it is me getting my clients prepared for a TV/Radio interview, but this time I was the one On Air!  Friend from the Greenville Social Scene, Stefanie Parker, worked her contacts and was able to get me an interview on WORD Radio with host Lisa Rollins from the Russ & Lisa Show.  WOW! How exciting!!  This interview was set up to promote my upcoming Snyder's Fight 4 Air Fundraiser night at Rey's downtown Greenville, SC with the Greenville Social Club. The interview is to air May 1- May 10 on WORD's Focus on the Upstate Public Service Programming.

Thursday morning, April 29, 2010, I went to the Radio Station to record our "live" broadcast.  Lisa said it's recorded but they will not edit it at all...lol...no pressure! Lisa is as sweet as can be.  I was filled with excited and very anxious as I wanted to make sure the interview went well, and I represented all involved in this effort well - especially the Carolina Chevy Dealers & Greenville Social Scene.  Lisa was a fabulous host making me feel very welcome and comfortable.  She did a great job plugging the fundraiser and all those that are involved. 

One point I told Lisa that I wanted to make is about how fabulous the Upstate community has been to me.  I have been floored by the generosity of others.  From moral support, contributions to the fund-raising effort via donations, silent auction/raffle contributions, time & effort in promoting events...the list goes on.  I can never thank everyone enough.  I'm honored and touched to be surround by these amazing people.

The interview was a fabulous fun experience and one that I will never forget. I felt that Lisa and I could have talked all day!

Saturday's training ride, Issaqueena's Last Ride, was in Walhalla, SC home to Bobby Wood Chevrolet .  It's an awesome, challenging, and gorgeous ride through the SC Blue Ridge Mountains. Despite the rain showers at the beginning, the storms at the end of the ride, and that my legs didn't have the umph that I wanted, it was a fun day.



This ride featured a hard climb toward Whitewater Falls and Wigington Overlook with 14% grades.  Its one thing to look at a map, even be told about a tiny little bit about the climb, like "its a B****" but to experience it is another.  The climb started and all was well - climb a little then flat or slight descend, turn the corner then take on a steeper section, and repeat.  To be honest, I wasn't sure exactly how long the climb.  As I passed one cyclist, looking up the road hoping that the next curve was the end, the cyclist yelled out "only 5 more miles to go."   If my legs could talk, they would have said - you have got to be kidding me. Mind over matter, and one Revolution at a Time, I grinded it out heading towards the top. Finally I saw our rest stop at the top of the mountain and pulled in for refreshments.   There wasn't a view - it was covered with fog.

During the ride, I thought this climb could be a metaphor for life - your climbing up, think you're making progress and almost to the other side. But turn the corner and its a steeper section to take on. Grin and bear it, because you know once you are to the top it will be worth it and can enjoy the coming down the other side.



Rain stopped about 7 miles into the ride and started again with 12 miles left.  The last 5 miles rolling thunder and some lightening kept me alerted and pushing through to get back to the old local church in Walhalla which h was the ost for the event.  The sweetest ladies made soup and sandwiches for all the riders post ride.  I chose the Cream of Noodle soup; I am not sure if I was told, or warned that the Pastor's Wife made the soup.  It was very cute and comical. 

"The Legend of Issaqueena Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, there once lived a Creek Indian maiden named Issaqueena, in a village called Keowee Town, aptly named for the beautiful Keowee River.  Issaqueena was captured from her native land and Creek tribe by the Cherokees, most likely during a battle over land, the great battle o Taliwa. The Cherokees were known for trading with the English who had also begun to settle in the area. Issaqueena fell in love with one of these English traders, Francis Allen. One night she overhead a tribunal talk of attacking Star Fort, where Allen had gone to do business. She jumped on her pony and made the 96-mile trek to alert Allen and the fort of the impending attack. Her mission was successful and she and Allen were married and had a son borne of the union. Later, while Allen was a way on another business trip, the Cherokees decided to seek retribution against Issaqueena and her child. Legend goes that she made another daring escape and led the pursuing Cherokees to a 200-foot waterfall and jumped in. Issaqueena knew the Cherokees believed the waterfalls contained evil spirits and would go no further. Thinking she and her child had perished the Cherokees gave up their pursuit, never knowing she had hidden behind a ledge in the falls until she and her infant could safely be reunited with her beloved husband."

Bobby Wood Chevrolet in Walhalla has been proudly serving the Tri-State and Golden Corner area for over thirty years. They offer a full line of GM cars, trucks and SUV's to choose from, all at competitive prices. They also offer a wide selection of quality pre-owned vehicles priced to meet any budget. With a friendly work force and knowledgeable management staff we have the logistics and experience to assure you a pleasurable purchase.

Riders ending a rainy ride.



My Trek Madone 4.7 drying out after first rain ride.


An old cemetery behind the hosting church.

The new Richard Kay Superstore in Anderson, SC has just undergone a name change and ownership change from Upstate Automotive. Richard Kay is now sole owner of Richard Kay Superstore and he has defined the dealerships mission as providing “The Very Best :" The Very Best customer satisfaction from sales to service to parts, the Very Best Pricing, even the Very Best coffee. What more could you ask for?

In early 2009, Upstate Automotives’ President, Richard Kay celebrated the completion of his personal victories of buying out his long term business partner, selling his Nissan Franchise while aligning his five General Motors (GM) franchises (Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick, GMC, Cadillac) and his Hyundai franchise into one superstore to be known as Richard Kay Superstore.

Kay has changed the name for a several reasons.  Mostly due the fact that Upstate Nissan had a strong brand recognition and Upstate GM has never really taken off.  People still don’t really know who we are and the “Upstate” name is used by so many businesses in a very wide area in South Carolina and New York.  Google Upstate Automotive – you might get us, or a dealership in New York .

Secondly, Kay saw putting his name on the dealership as a statement that he is personally committed to the success of the company and the satisfaction of our customers.  It is easy to “hide” behind the “Upstate” name and hang out in my office.  “Now that my name is on the building there is nowhere to hide” Kay said.  I also think our employees will understand this and will improve their level of service to our customers.

Richard is a rookie rider, but he is in the works of riding more, although he prefers spending 4 hours on the golf course then 4 hours on a bike.  Anderson, SC is a great place to ride, especially knowing that you can jump in Lake Hartwell at the end of a hard ride to cool off. There are many low traffic rural routes. Even on a early Sunday morning, riding through downtown Anderson is a peaceful ride.

The big question: After a only one night of camping, how will it feel to ride 62 miles?
Answer:  Not bad, not too bad. After a hectic morning of trying to locate the start of the ride (my Blackberry and GPS were dead), I'm sure my adrenaline was pumping.  Take away the frustrating morning, overall, the ride itself went very well. 

The Jubilee Joy Ride is held in Pendleton, SC, which is between Clemson University and  Richard Kay Superstore in Anderson, SC.  Pendleton has a quaint historic square which is home to my favorite bakery, Village Bakery (pictured below - center) perfect for breakfast pastry or sandwich for lunch!  One of the many benefits to riding is finding cool little towns like Pendleton.  If I was a rider, chances are, I would have never discovered The Village Bakery and the town of Pendleton.







This was the 20th year for the Jubilee Joy Ride with 115 riders participating this year.  Unlike most rides that I have done, there is not a mass start. So riders check in, pick up their t-shirts, get their cue sheets and are off.  Some riders left as early as 8:00 and others, like me later.  Mass starts are nice for solo riders like me.  It gives the change to find a pack of people your speed to ride with for the duration of the ride.  This ride I did on my own and had fun. The folks at the rest stops were super nice and supportive. 

Table Rock, SC! No no, not to ride, but to camp! Riding it will come later I'm sure.  I received all my camping gear, and my friend Greg Dufour is kind enough to lend me his tent to use for my Big Ride Across America.  I haven't camped in at least 8 years, maybe longer.  For my journey across the States I need to feel comfortable camping for a minimum of 40/47 days on the road.  Whew! Welcome to the camping world!  Not only do I need to be acclimated to camping, I need to be able to get comfortable enough for a good nights rest after riding an average of 83 miles each day.   Camp - Ride 83 miles - Camp.  Easy enough right???  We'll see how it really goes.

Easter weekend, my friends take me camping to put me to the test. I learned to put up my tent, take it down, roll it up, and unpack then pack up my gear, oh, and then go ride 62 miles in the Jubilee Joy Ride in Pendleton, SC.  What better preparation for the Big Ride then this?!  

What I learned.  First - my Blackberry was on low battery going into camp and I did not have a working charger. So my phone was completely dead by 10:00pm. Note to self for trip - find back up ways of charging phone without electricity. Second, because my phone was dead, I didn't have a way to know what time it was or to set an alarm.  Needless to say, I didn't sleep well at all because I was freaking out that I would over sleep and miss my ride! Note to self - get a watch with alarm. When I did fall asleep and would wake up I would be towards the bottom of the tent as I was on a slight slope. Note to self - level ground preferred, and sleeping bags are very slippery!

Camping was a great learning experience and good preparation for the Big Ride. See my next blog posting on the 62 mile Jubilee Joy Ride I did after camping.

-Kristin

Carolina Chevy Dealers tidbit: "Seventy-eight percent of commuters drive 40 miles or less to and from work.* If we could change the technology behind these daily drives, imagine how much gasoline and money we could save while helping reduce emissions. It might be possible with a vehicle capable of running on electricity, E85, and gasoline fuels — in other words, a vehicle powered by GM's innovative Voltec Electric Propulsion System, like the Chevy Volt."

American Lung Association Air Pollution tidbit: "Natural defenses protect our lungs from germs and large particles like dust and pollen.  Air pollution harms lung tissue directly and bypasses or weakens those important defenses.  Air pollution can make your eyes water, irritate your nose, mouth and throat, and make you cough and wheeze.  But most important, it can worsen lung diseases like asthma, bronchitis and emphysema.  It can even kill."