Two years ago I had the opportunity to ride across the US and last year from one end of England to the other (end to end). This year I'm joining some folks that I've bicycled with before and many new friends in cycling the Netherlands and Belgium.

I've been inspired by several of the riders who have used the adventure to raise donations for various charities.  I've decided to help raise funds for the American Heart Association.

The decision to support the American Heart Association is an easy one.  The association promotes education and research into stroke and heart disease.    Help me reach my goal.  Pledge to donate pennies, nickels or dimes for every mile that I'm riding this summer; just click here (pledge / donate to the Heart Association)

It's a fact: Cardiovascular diseases are the No. 1 killer of women and men. These diseases claim the lives of more than half a million females every year — about a death a minute. That’s more lives than the next 7 causes of death combined.

Click here for the 2003 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics