2011 Holiday Campaign, Third Edition

In the third edition of our blog series sharing how Adventure Cycling has changed lives, we bring you the story of one of our own: Adventure Cycling Tours Specialist Madeline McKiddy.

My name is Madeline McKiddy. I am a tours specialist at Adventure Cycling, and I have a shameful secret to impart -- until this last August, I had never been on a bicycle tour. I'd done long day rides and a bikepacking expedition or two, but never a real tour. In my defense, I would like to go on record as saying; I?m a fairly adventurous person. I like to try new things, to put myself out there and have new experiences. But the idea of a bike tour -- just me, those two wheels, and the open road -- had honestly never occurred to me. So when the chance was offered to join our Oregon Coastal Odyssey ride, I grabbed the opportunity and signed right up. At first, I was overcome by nerves. What if I couldn't do it? What if the hills were too steep, the other participants more serious cyclists than I? What if I became horribly lost?

From the emails I get from other first-time bike tourists, I know I am not the first to be plagued with these doubts. After my first tour with Adventure Cycling, let me go on the record as saying, "seriously, don't worry about it." This tour was one of the best weeks I've ever had! Yes, some of the hills were steep and some of the days were long. I was sweaty, and dirty, and I did have a moment (or two) when I wanted to sit down on the side of the road and never move again. But I was surrounded by such wonderful people, incredible scenery, and attentive staff that I almost never stopped smiling! I mean I literally never stopped smiling. At one of the rest stops I hopped off my bike to get a delicious snack and one of the staff members came up to me and asked if I actually smiled all the time in real life, or if I was truly having that much fun. Even the weather cooperated, giving us sunny skies and a strong tail-wind.

The biking was phenomenal every day, giving us sights from orchards to Christmas tree farms, craggy cliffs tumbling to the ocean, to sand dunes stretching as far as the eye could see. There is definitely a freedom about being out there, powered only by your own steam, just you and the elements. The kind of freedom I thought only existed in country songs. But I think what truly made this tour unforgettable to me was the camaraderie. Whether it was teasing me in the morning for missing breakfast to get that ever-important 5 extra minutes of sleep, cheering each other on as we climbed up the final few feet of a hill, or telling stories around the dinner table at camp, laughter was never more than a moment away.

"Remember, there's no rush," my friend Max reminded me as we stopped at a pullout to take more photos, "all we have to do today is set up a tent.?

There are thousands of people out there, just like me. Hundreds of thousands. People who have never imagined taking a bike tour; people who have waited for it their whole life -- maybe you?re even one of them. People who would love bike touring, if they just had the opportunity -- if they knew it was an option, if they were able to find routes and equipment, if they could read about how other people have done what they?re about to do.

And that?s what your donation does. It?s for the people, like me, and maybe like you, who have no idea what they?re doing but who want to try it anyway. By themselves, with their friends, on a tour with strangers -- by making a donation to Adventure Cycling today, you?re giving people the opportunity to explore the world in a whole new way.

So let me take this moment to say, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for your continued support. For helping me to try something new, and to discover a whole new passion.

If you donate $10 or more before midnight PST on Thursday, December 8, not only will your donation be matched 1:1* by two generous donors, you will also be entered into a drawing to win our Adventure Cycling prize package, valued at $115 (pictured above).

Thank you once again for your support this holiday season and I hope to see you on the road!

*Two generous donors who strongly support our work have challenged our members, donors, and supporters to raise $50,000, which they will match for a total of $100,000! To do this, they have agreed to match all gifts 1:1. If you are a member, check the recent letter from us about a special 2:1 match opportunity, or call Alex Campbell at 800-755-2453, x239 to get that information.

Top photo courtesy of Madeline McKiddy.

Source: http://blog.adventurecycling.org/2011/12/2011-holiday-campaign-third-edition.html

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