Riding to Save Lives

Hello, my name is Brandon, and let me tell you a little about myself, and why I am riding.

I am currently serving in the US Coast Guard on board the USCGC Venturous moored in St. Petersburg Fl. I have been in the Coast Guard for 3 years now as an Operations Specialist. As an Operations Specialist (OS) on board I handle all communications coming on and off the ship as well as handle any classified material. I also coordinate flight and search patterns in case of a SAR (Search and Rescue case. I also attend American Military University and getting a Bachelors Degree in Military Intelligence Operations.

I have been married for 3 years in October, to my beautiful wife Brittany, who is a Graduate student at USF in Counselor Education.

I picked up cycling as a hobby, and decided that I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to do a long ride. So I figured if I was going to do it, I should do it for charity, because If I can...why not do it to help someone else who cannot.

I have made a commitment to support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Societys Team In Training by participating in the Intracoastal Waterway Century ride in Coca beach on October 25th, and I would like to enlist your support. This will be a 100 mile bike ride, the longest I have ever done.

Each donation helps accelerate cures for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma and brings hope to the patients and families who are on the front lines of the battle against these diseases.

Even if you can donate a dollar, ever bit counts. Thank you very much.

Update : Now that I am back in port, I can finally start to train with the team. I dont have to long before I have to go back out to sea so I am going to train as much as possible with both the team and solo.

7/12/09 - Today was the first chance I got to ride with my team, as well as the longest I have ever rode in 1 ride, 48 miles! It was a great learning experience, and as my coach can tell you, the last 5 miles I had to really push and he kept reminding me of what I was riding for.

7/19/09 - Today I set out to do a 45 miles with the team, but about 20 miles in the rain started, so miles got cut. Not only that, on the trail today one of my teammates got a flat, so I learn the value of caring extra tubes and inflation. 27 miles today total, the 60 miles I did throughout the week put me in for a personal weekly best at 87 miles. Next week I am hoping for good weather so I can do 100 miles throughout the week.

Update: I am about to head out to sea again. My plan will be to train daily on the bike and when I get back, be ready to push out some miles before the Century Ride. Bon Voyage!