Starting September 13th, I am joining a small group of folks on a bicycle ride across the USA guided by Trek Travel. This has been a goal of mine since I was a kid. So, when the opportunity recently presented itself, I knew I couldn't hesitate.
The trip kicks off in Santa Barbara, CA and we arrive 40 days later in Charleston, SC. On each of the 35 days during which we will be pedaling, we aim to cover an average of 90 miles. As demanding as those sessions will be, I can't wait to have such time on the road in a country I love so much, awash in an evolving landscape that has inspired me on so many cross-country roadtrips.
Though I will be out there doing the pedaling, I thought you and I could have some fun together on this trip, and hopefully, help a bunch of people in the process. Given that there are a hell of a lot of folks who read this blog and watch this Twitter account, let alone a lot of people who will surely drive by me on the side of the road, and meet me in America's towns here is what I propose...
Let's feature your non-profit.
Do you have a charity or public service organization that is working hard to make this world a better place? Does the world need to hear about them? Well, let's get your logo on a bicycle jersey (Size: Large) and I will wear it while on my trip and feature it, and a link to your group, in a Tweet to my followers. Don't have a bike jersey with your logo on it? The amazing folks at Hincapie Sportswear can make one for you. Check out their custom category here. If you have a favorite organization that you think should be featured, let them know to be in touch!
Let's tell the world about your for-profit company.
You have a great little for-profit venture that deserves some attention? Well, I have a deal for you too. You should also send me a jersey, and make a donation of $5,000 to one of these two inspiring groups:
charity:water -- Bringing clean water to the over 1 billion people on the planet who do not have access to it. $5,000 builds a freshwater well for one entire village! (Donate here)
LIVESTRONG -- Lance Armstrong's movement waging a global war on cancer and providing support and care for fighters and families along the way. (Donate here) (By the way, click here to put a LIVESTRONG bracelet on your Twitter profile picture.)
In exchange for that donation, I will wear your jersey and feature your company in a couple of Tweets to all of my followers. Think about it, that is over 1 million viewers aggregated across my Twitter and blog following. That's a $2.50 CPM! Plus, the indescribable feeling you get from knowing you are permanently improving the lives of others. [UPDATE: charity:water says that, in exchange for the $5,000 donation, they will relay your message out to their 800,000 followers as well. Wow!]
I'd like to meet you and your friends.
Maybe you don't have a non-profit or a company. Well, do you have a bike? If so, it would be a hoot to spin the pedals with you a bit. Each day, I will Tweet about where I'll be starting my ride and it would be great to meet you. For each of you who shows up for just a couple of miles, I will donate $25 to charity:water and $25 to LIVESTRONG, with a daily max of $500. I will be riding for 35 days so that's $17,500 in donations from my own pocket that I will make in your name just for showing up and riding with me! Can't make it? Let your friends know to come hang with me!
How to be in touch and small print.
Have questions? Email me: [email protected]
Have jerseys (Size: Large) or anything else fun to send me? Shoot them to my office:
Chris Sacca, 200 Townsend St. #7, San Francisco, CA 94107
Meantime, keep following me on Twitter for the latest info about my route and how my legs and butt are holding up.
(Please note, I reserve the right to make judgment calls about which non-profits and companies I will publicize. Generally speaking, I like organizations that are positive, secular, and environmentally responsible. I care a lot about my Twitter followers and refuse to take their attention for granted. Any doubts? Just drop me a note and ask.)
All told, I can't tell you how excited I am for this adventure. I am eager to see all of your great non-profits and to share their missions with the world. I also can't wait for each of you to get a better sense of the wonder and impact of charity:water and LIVESTRONG and how much they mean to me.
In addition to all of the this, I would really like to hear your ideas on what else I could do along the way to make this trip particularly special. What would you do? Any series of pictures I should take? Data to gather? Any small rituals I should be sure to practice? I hope to hear your ideas in the comments.
For now, let me just say thank you in advance to all of you, and I wish us all good luck!