Plastino Project: Biking across the US: June 2010

About Us

Who we are:

Rina Binder-Macleod and Kristofer Thompson

What we are doing:

Biking across the USA, from Delaware to California.

Why we are doing it:

1. Fun!

2. To learn about bicycle friendly communities then bring what we learn back to UD to become "bicycle ambassadors" and promote bicycle use.

3. Fun?

4. (MOST IMPORTANTLY!) FOR THE KIDS!

Last summer we worked in Guatemala for 3 months as volunteer trekking guides for an amazing organization called "Quetzaltrekkers. "

The money we raised from the hikes funded 85% of the operating budget for a school EDELAC, or Escuela de la Calle, for 220 children.

If that wasn't enough, we also provided 100% of the funding for the orphanage "The Hogar Abierto (Open Home)" for 17 kids!

We love these kids to death, so we are dedicating our bike trip to them

Me (Rina) and Wilson on the trek to Lago Atitlan

The girls hanging out after dinner at the Quetzaltrekker's Office

We would be so grateful if you could support us in our effort to "Bike for the Kids", to provide support for the kids

of the "Open Home",

The Hogar Abierto.

To Donate: (this is a semi-complicated process because it is difficult to send money out of the country even to a 501(c)3 non-profit so QT uses Omprakash to help facilitate the donation process)

You can make a tax-free donation through Omprakash.

Please select Quetzaltrekkers from the drop down menu to earmark your donation (very important).

In addition, we will be tracking the money raised through our bike trip. If you choose to donate, please e-mail bikeforthekids@gmail.com with your name and the amount donated so we can track our progress for the kids!

Thank you for your support!

Kris and Rina

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Mississippi River

We crossed IL in 2 days and made it to the Mississippi, across the
water is Missouri!

Friday, June 25, 2010

Illinois!

We made it into our 5th state today! Finally into Illinois , doing a
90 mile day on some flatter terrain. It is nice to be out of the
mountains, I can't stress it enough!

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

We hit 1000 miles!

Monday, June 21, 2010

Over 95 degrees in KY

Takin a breaaak

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Kentucky

We made it into eastern Kentucky 3 days ago! Land of the coal trucks and crazy dogs... We were given water guns to ward off the dogs by our fellow trans am riders Morgan and Asher. It has been a beautiful
state so far and we are finally out of the Appalachians (bigger climbs) and into the hills!

We took our first full rest day in Berea and Scott came over from Louisville to visit! What a great surprise!

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Kentucky!

We finally made it!

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Vesuvius to Lexington VA

We camped behind Gertie's store in Vesuvius,VA. They boast the best BBQ and everything was great! It was so nice to get some rest after the hard climbs on the Blue Ridge Parkway! To read more about Gertie's go to http://www.flyingcompass.com/Virginia/Vesuvius/a-16.html This is for you Melinda Sawin.

Blue Ridge Parkway

We made the climb up along the Blue Ridge Parkway on Friday, tackling some intense elevation changes and steep graded roads...We thought this was high... Little did we know we would be climbing to 3000 feet

Friday, June 11, 2010

The cookie lady's house!

Blue Ridge Mountains!

Read about June Curry, known to thousands of bicyclists as the cookie lady http://www.biketouring.net/rides/xcountry/curry.html

Bananas for biking in c ville!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Palmyra, VA

Last night we camped out in Horace, Theresa, and Hannah's backyard. This wonderful family was a lifesaver, offering us a place to stay right when the sun was setting! We chatted late into the night,realizing how much we shared in common! Theresa had done the SCA (student conservation association. www.thesca.org which I had done two summers ago in the Delaware Water Gap )and Hannah had friends at UD! Small world... We are so grateful for their hospitality; it is so refreshing meeting such nice people along the way! Thanks again for opening your home to us!

Virginia

We have been biking through VA for a couple of days now, taking a rest day in Charlottesville before tackling the Blue Ridge Parkway! We have ridden on all kinds of roads, including some larger, newer roads with great bike paths that were funded through the recovery act. We have also ridden some terrifying highways as well! They really make you appreciate the bike routes!

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Alexandria, a bike friendly community

Alexandria is recognized as a bike friendly community and there were some nice bike trails (from DC all the way to Mount Vernon!)!

Monday, June 7, 2010

Thanks Katie Pusecker!

Katie drew us this as a farewell gift!

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Washington, DC to Alexandria,VA

We left Silver Spring late this afternoon because we were having too much fun with the Yahr family and Yahr's friend "Stonedog" also known as Dan.

Jon Yahr, Kris, Emily and Joe Yahr (Our gracious hosts in Silver Spring, MD)

Kris towing Yahr in the trailor

Kris riding along the 15 or so miles of bike trail in Rock Creek State Park on our way to Washington, DC

Mariottsville to Silver Spring Maryland

This was a great day of riding! Mostly downhill into Washington,DC! There is an amazing bike trail in Rock Creek State Park, winding along the creek. We did 14 miles along the creek into Silver Spring Maryland to visit a former Quetzaltrekker guide Jon Yahr. His sister and brother (Emily and Joe) let us stay at their awesome apartment and were so great! We reminisced about Guatemala and our times at QT!

Day 2

“May the wind always be on your back and the sun upon your face..."

Benny bear, Janis, and Hippy

We spent our first night at Hippy's house, camped out in the yard and
sharing tales on the front porch... They are such nice people!

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Maryland

Kris in front of a pretty little lake near Rising Sun, MD

Thursday, June 3, 2010

We made it to Maryland!!

Traveled 48 miles today and made it to Jarrettsville. Pitched a tent in the backyard of some great people we met at the icecream store (so good)! Feeling good about our first day... It's going to be an awesome trip.