To my Facebook friends and those reading my WordPress blog directly:

Three weeks ago today, September 14, I started my Pacific Coast ride from the Peace Arch in Blaine, WA, at the Canadian border.  I expect to finish at the Mexican border about October 27th.  So far, I have ridden 937 miles through Washington, Oregon, and into California.

For this epic ride, I chose to raise money for Outrun the Sun (http://outrunthesun.org), an Indianapolis based charity in support of skin cancer education and melanoma research.  Its stated mission:  Outrun the Sun, Inc. is dedicated to building awareness of melanoma and other skin cancers, educating communities about preventive measures that reduce melanoma’s incidence rate and raising funds for melanoma research, leading to effective treatments and a cure.

The ride is dedicated to our good friend Jim, who earlier this year was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma.  He recently celebrated his 63rd birthday, surrounded by family (wife Carol, children Jacob and Susan, and 4 grandchildren).  I am pleased to report that he is in Partial Remission.

I personally paid for this trip, so any monies raised go directly to the charity, not toward tour expenses.  I committed to raising $5,000.  So far, donations total about $2,000 (through Crowdrise and direct donations).

Please consider a donation, however small, via my Crowdrise account (https://www.crowdrise.com/donate/project/dolly-bikes-the-pacific-coast1    If you want to save the charity or yourselves the fees associated with Crowdrise, please feel free to visit the Outrun the Sun site (http://outrunthesun.org) and make a donation (maybe indicating me as the Honoree), or mail a check to Outrun the Sun, 8435 Keystone Crossing, Suite 175, Indianapolis, IN 46240 (put Dolly on note line).

I’d love to make it to $5,000 before I reach the Mexican border!  Many thanks in advance for your support.