Yesterday (June 2) was the first official training day for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society‘s Team in Training for the Sea Gull Century this fall. We met at Hains Point, in Washington, DC, for an intro “class” and a few loops around the Point. I was surprisingly apprehensive before I left, but after biking 9 miles to get there, I felt a bit more comfortable on my bike. By the time we went around the group to introduce ourselves, and I found out several others had just bought their bikes the previous night (two still hadn’t purchased bikes yet!), I felt even more confident!
Sea Gull Century Logo (Courtesy of their website)
This is the first time I’ve ever done anything like this, a fully-organized and supported event. Several people had told me that all the TNT events are fantastically supported, and I’m beginning to see why. Although yesterday was just introduction to what we’ll be doing over the summer, some Bicycle 101, and then laps on our own, it looks like the rest of the summer will be much more formal. I’m really looking forward to riding in some of the different locations – Germantown MD, Middleburg VA, and Indian Head MD, for example. I have no idea where these places are, or what the riding will be like there, but I’m told they will be a bit more rural. I’m hoping for less crowded/popular roads!
I’ve raised a decent amount so far, but I have soooo far to go! I’m more anxious about the fundraising part, because I’m on the hook for whatever I don’t raise! So I’m trying to think of some more inventive ways to raise money. I think this might require some sewing skills!
I am about to start making this Vogue dress, the one that I already made the reflective obi sash for.
Vogue Dress Pattern with Narrow Sash
Wider Obi Sash
However, upon cutting the pattern pieces out, I realized that the sash the pattern comes with is a pretty easy sash, just not as wide or long (ie, wraparound) as the obi sash. I don’t have too much of the reflective fabric, so I can’t make more of the obi ones, but I think I can make a few of these sashes. And I think that using some of my reflective ribbon might work on some others as well. I’m putting my design cap on to come up with maybe 3 or 4 different versions. Then I will “auction” them off to the first 3 or 4 people who donate $50 or more on my fundraising website .
If you are interested already, sight unseen, let me know now, and we can talk colors, waist measurement, etc. If not, stay tuned for when I actually get them done and am ready to auction them off. If this goes well, I’ll make a few reflective yoga mat bags. Those might go for a higher price, however, since I need more stuff to make them. But I’ll start small and see what happens.
In the meantime, wish me luck on my training AND fundraising! I’m going to need it!
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