T-Minus
Friday, July 5, 2013
Day two St. John's Arizona to Grant New Mexico.
Monday, June 17, 2013
Day one Desert hot springs to some spot on the road 107 miles later
This was one hot day! We began our leg, a little late which was an indcation of the day to come. We were paired with team #one. Tim Paton, Bob Findley, Garheard P. and Jason Zimmerman. At the 4 mile point we started the first climb of 4 modest climbs. My rear tire flayed at about mile thirty, a quick change and off we went. Idealistic about the rest of the day, afterall, in a group of eight if somthing else was going to happen, it was someone else's turn. On the next decent, I found myself riding in the SAG car for the next 30 miles. Although, I had already consumed over a galon of water, the 118 degree temps won the moment. Both my hamstrings completly locked up with cramps to the point of falling of my bike, not able to get out of my pedals.
It took all of the thirty miles, following the remaining riders Ray Melberg, Chris Taylor and Lee Weigand at 20 mph one and a half hours to recover enough to finish the ride. We had two others fall out from heat issues and Ray and I were able to bring in the last 28. Thanks for your prayers but we have the same tomorrow.
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Ride for Hope prologue
It is the tridition, when on a cross country bicycle ride to dip the rear wheel in the departing ocean, in our case the Pacific Ocean. We did this at Dana point this afternoon in a comissioning ceremony. Jos, the International director for Christ's hope reminded us that we were not doing this ride for us. We are doing this in for the Lord Jesus Christ who sat children on his lap. We are riding for children LOVED by God and forgoten by men. I will not be indifferent, I will do somthing!
T minus 2 days
On my way to Dana Point to start Ride for Hope. I'm Excited and anxious to begin. Im in a our SAG vehicle driving from Sacremento with Laura Leeming Kristen & Lee Wiegand and Jos the International director of Christ's Hope International. I started this journey excited to ride my bicycle across the US but with each passing day I become more motivated for the cause of the lost children this ride will serve. If you can, please consider supporting, even $5 will help. www.rideforhopectc.org/riders/john-Leeming.
Friday, June 7, 2013
Ride for Hope Kick off Century and training ride.
I am 9 days away from the start of my 10 day journey across the United States. I am getting very excited and can't wait to start. The cycling will be a challenge but meeting people along the rout and letting them know about the crisis in Africa and encouraging others to get involved is exciting as well. Thanks for your consideration of this challenge.
Friday, April 19, 2013
Cycle and Grind
To put a face on my motivation, this week Ride for Hope sent me a photo of one of the children we are riding for. His name is Eliakim Odhiambo Odago, form Kenya. He is one of approximately 15 million children affected in some way by AIDS and HIV. With out assistance they are at great risk. They are left on there own with no access to food, shelter, education or medical care. Christ's hope provides these benefits for a child for about $550/year.
So from now until I complete the ride in Florida, I ride for Eliakim!
The link below is to our local TV station that covered the fundraiser event. My sincerest thank to Chelsea Wilhite and my daughter Emily for their hard work in getting this done.
KOLO TV's segment from my Coffee and Grind fund raiser
The fundraising went great this weekend we raised around $1,000, was encouraged by many of our friends and supporters and also met some new and compasionate individules who gave to the effort.
Thank you all so very much.
Saturday, March 30, 2013
On a related note, by coincidence, today I am completing my income tax return, and to date I have raised "1040" of the $7,000. which reminds me Chris'ts Hope, the ministry, Ride For Hope CTC is raising funds for, is a 501(c)(3) charity and donations are tax deductible. If you have done or are completing your tax return, and find you could use a tax deductible charitable contribution for next year, a donation to Christs Hope is an excellent choice. Click this link to help me raise support for Christ's Hope Ride for Hope rider John Leeming
Saturday, March 9, 2013
First long ride of the year
Heading into Verdi looking West toward Crystal Peak |
At the 25 mile mark Slide Mountain & Mount Rose in background. |
50 miles and Heading home Slide Mt. just right of the tree. |
Reno Cycling Club Joined me @ 70 miles this was taken @ mile 75. |
First Century ride of the season
Click to Stand up for the Fatherless
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Training ride 2/26/13
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Check out Christ's Hope Video
Christ's Hope Care and Compassion video
Friday, February 22, 2013
Good News
Received some good news this week. My training has been hampered lately due to a blood clot in a varicose vein. These types of clots are not as serious as DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) because they are close to the surface of the skin. The last few weeks my doctor wanted me to ride, but not induce too much stress. So I have been riding at a nice easy pace and not exerting myself on climbs. This week the doctor re-scanned the veins and found that damaged vein should heal without surgery. I now have the OK to train without restriction.
A word about the cause; it is estimated that there are about 30 million orphans in Sub-Saharan Africa. Half of whom are orphaned as a result of AIDS. By comparison, the US has approximately 500,000 orphans without a permanent family home. To give you an idea of the size of the problem Los Angeles County CA has approximately 8 million people. In Sub-Saharan Africa the children orphaned by the AIDS crisis will fill two county's the size of LA. According to some statistics in third world countries 60% of female enslaved in sex trafficking are orphans. Christ Hope International is attempting to stem the tidal wave of destruction caused by the AIDS epidemic in Africa, one child at a time.
I am excited with the progress of the donations. Thanks to all who have supported the effort so far. I would particularly like to thank my classmates from Clark High School. They are rallying around me and this cause. I can not tell you how encouraging your efforts have been. We will continue to strive to reach the goal.
Monday, February 18, 2013
First response
A little information about the ride might be helpful. All the details are or will be updated on the official web page www.rideforhopectc.org but here is a summary version. We kick off the ride on June 17, 2013, leaving Dana Point, CA where we will dip our tires in the Pacific Ocean. There will be 6 to 10 teams of 4 rider, each team will complete a segment of each days ride. Each team will have a support (SAG) vehicle getting the team to their designated start area and then after the team complete their segment for the day they will pick them up and drive to the next days starting point. Approximate every two days the ride has an event in one of the larger metropolitan areas along the route. Day one will be the kickoff event in the LA area. Will be in Albuquerque NM, in the evening of day two, then on to Dallas, Atlanta, Tallahassee and Daytona Beach FL. when we reach the Atlantic Ocean we'll dip our tires in the ocean signifying the end of the ride...
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Raising Support of AIDS orphans in Sub Saharan Afarica
Christs Hope International's mission is "Working towards an AIDS-free world" They are working to stem the tide of abandoned and lost orphans in sub Saharan Africa. Providing shelter, nourishment and education.
I am trying to raise more that $7,000 in support for the ministry. Would you please consider joining me financially. In the "Important web site links" in the right margin and at the bottom of the page are links to Ride for Hope Cost to Cost and Christ's Hope International Web sites. There you can find out more about the mission of Christ's Hope International. There is a link to the donations web site as well it will take you directly to my support page.
Here you can keep tabs on the progress to the goal and later I'll post ride photos, journal posts and more.
Please keep me, the other Ride for Hope CTC members and Christ's Hope in your prayers.
Thanks for your support