Fingers Crossed...

My goal has been to have two people to drive the route with me. Andrew was the first to sign on, and now it looks like we have a second. It is not confirmed, yet, but should be any day now. I'll let you know.

By the way, I should probably mention that I got a real bike and integrated it into my training a few weeks ago. Yes, it is very different from the stationary cycle (could I state something more obvious?!?). The bike I have now is pretty crappy, but is getting the job done. At some point over the next few months, I'll get one for the trip so I'll have time to break it in (thanks for the advice, Michelle!).

Have a great Thursday!

- sean

Sean Spence
MS Advocate
www.MissouriToManhattan.com
www.SharingOurDays.com
seanspence@earthlink.net

Heading Out for the Holidays

Good Morning, Y'all!

I'm about to hit the road for Columbus, Ohio, where the love of my life lives. Will I make time to train over the five days I'm there? I'm going to do my darnedest. On Sunday, I'm scheduled to do another 50 miles, and I'm committed to making that happen. I can already see my training time slipping away, ya know? Kind of like every other kind of time. It all just slips away and if we don't do things now, there may not be time later.

Yeah, I'll make time to train.

- sean

Sean Spence
MS Advocate
www.MissouriToManhattan.com
www.SharingOurDays.com
seanspence@earthlink.net

Working on my route

Hi Y'all!

I heard back from Caryn Giarratano, Missouri's State Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Coordinator. Isn't it cool that the states even have this position? Don't you think that has to be one of the coolest jobs in the world?

Caryn was very helpful. First of all, she put the final nail in the coffin for what I'm sure was a very, very bad idea. From the beginning, I've been trying to figure out if there was some safe way to take the Interstate from here to New York City. Now, don't think I'm a complete idiot. I figured it might be able to work if I had someone drive with a big sign and flashing lights, warning people that I was there. Plus, that could look kind of cool, ya know? And it would be very photographic.

But, yes, I completely understand now just how bad an idea that was. They can't all be good, can they?

Caryn has provided me with some great resources for planning my route through Missouri.

If you'd ever like to know where to go to plan a cycling trip across Missouri (and soon, in several other states, just let me know).

- sean

Sean Spence
MS Advocate
www.MissouriToManhattan.com
www.SharingOurDays.com
seanspence@earthlink.net

Out sick

Hey Y'all,

Just a brief note to let you know that I'm not blowing everyone off. But I'm down with the flu or something and am not a lot is happening, except for sleeping and juice drinking. Rest assured I'll be back on my back and on my blog in a day or two.

- sean

Sean Spence
MS Advocate
www.MissouriToManhattan.com
www.SharingOurDays.com
seanspence@earthlink.net

First 50-mile day

Hey Y'all!

Yes, I made the planned 50-mile ride today. And yes, it pretty much kicked my butt. But I still did it.

The first 30 miles were pretty easy (I already ride about 28 miles each morning) and then I started noticing a down-hill slide, in terms of ease of ride. So I took about a five-minute break and it got a lot easier again. In the end, I'm pretty confident I could have done a good bit more if I'd had time (the ride took a little under four hours, with tiny breaks).

Next month I'm going to do my first 75-mile ride the second Sunday in January. Then I'll bump it up to 100 miles at least once a week in February.

Wish me luck.

- sean

Sean Spence
MS Advocate
www.MissouriToManhattan.com
www.SharingOurDays.com
seanspence@earthlink.net

A new partner for my trip, introducing Andrew Piatt

Over dinner with my friend Andrew Piatt last night, we decided that he will accompany me on my trip. I need someone who will drive the route with spare bike parts and first aid supplies and whatever. Plus, isn't everything just more fun with a buddy? So Andrew -- who is a political campaign guy like me -- is going to take a month off after our March elections and go with me. Is that cool, or what?

I honestly could not be more excited. More later on Andrew

Tomorrow, by the way, is the day I've scheduled for my first 50-mile ride. I figure it will take me about 3 1/2 hours. Yes, I promise I won't fudge the results! If I complete the ride, I will tell you. If I don't complete the ride, I will tell you. That's just the way we do things here at M2M.

Have an awesome Saturday!

- sean

Sean Spence
MS Advocate
www.MissouriToManhattan.com
www.SharingOurDays.com
seanspence@earthlink.net

Ideas from my friend Dan

Hi Y'all,

My friend Dan, Libby's husband, is a PR guy and had some thoughts for me the other day. First, he suggested that we put together some kind of rallies at each of the major stops on my route. I've been thinking about some sort of events, and this got me thinking about things we could do to make it more of sort-of loud crowd event. Something with lots of energy. Sort of like a pep rally. So now there are lots of ideas and I'm going to write a plan over the weekend.

He also has a former big-name corporate client and was wondering if I might be interested in speaking with them about sponsoring the ride. Heck yeah! So he's going to hook me up with the right person, at least for a conversation.

This is exactly the kind of thing I hoped would happen -- people from around the country (Dan lives about 1500 miles away) making suggestions to help my trip work. Isn't it cool how people naturally want to help? That's good enough reason to do this, just on its own.

- sean

Sean Spence
MS Advocate
www.MissouriToManhattan.com
www.SharingOurDays.com
seanspence@earthlink.net

Couple of conversations

Hey Y'all,

I had a great chat with Al Golin yesterday -- remember, he's the guy at GolinHarris (www.golinharris.com), which is one of the largest PR firms in the world. He still wants to help with the ride and is assigning someone to work with me directly (he's not exactly chasing press releases anymore, ya know?). He's given me his cell phone, so I figure he's serious, and isn't just pawning me off on a junior staffer. Having him want to help is really an honor.

That's going to be one of the most fun parts of this project, I think -- meeting people that I otherwise could not possibly have met. Not just famous or "important" people, though. I get all kinds of e-mails from folks all over the country (and Canada, which is as international as it has been, so far). I'll keep publishing some of those e-mails, when I think you'll be interested and it is not too private.

I've also enlisted the help of one of my longest-serving friends, Libby Quaid (once you go over 35, you don't like to say "one of my oldest friends"). Libby and I went to college at the Univerity of Missouri-Columbia (Go Mizzou!), where we almost dated. Libby likes to tell the story of the time I stopped to pick her up for something and brought a date -- unfortunately, Libby thought WE were going on a date. So she says I brought a date to our date.

Yes, I'm kind of an idiot. That kind of killed any possibility that we would ever be any more than friends, but I also feel like it kind of cemented our now 17-year friendship.

Libby is a reporter at Associated Press (kind of a big deal really -- I'm very proud of her), and is helping me get to some journalist-types to pay attention to what we are doing. I'll let you know how all that goes.

- sean

Sean Spence
MS Advocate
www.MissouriToManhattan.com
www.SharingOurDays.com
seanspence@earthlink.net

My route

I really need to get serious about figuring out my route. I've contacted someone with the federal pedestrian/cycling program and it turns out that each state has its own bicycling coordinator. I'm starting with the one from Missouri and we'll see if she can help me figure out the best way to get from Kansas City to New York City with as little possibility of mishap as possible.

Any suggestions?

Tomorrow's Press Release

Okay, Becky has approved my little release, but I'm going to wait until tomorrow morning to start sending it. But you, my loyal readers, get to see it first...

MS SURVIVOR WILL BICYCLE FROM KANSAS CITY TO NEW YORK CITY

1500-mile ride will raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and others. Rider Sean Spence, who is 40-50 pounds overweight and takes regular MS treatments, says the trip should prove that “anyone can break through the boundaries life creates for them.”

(Kansas City, MO) Sean Spence, diagnosed in October 2003 with relapsing/remitting Multiple Sclerosis, is preparing to ride a bicycle from Kansas City, Missouri to New York, New York, April 3-23. The 1500-mile trip will raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and other MS charities.

“Before deciding to make this trip, I hadn’t ridden a bike more than a few miles since I was twelve,” Spence said. “I wouldn’t say I was in horrible shape, but I’m kind of a fat guy with a bad back and a little asthma, not to mention the MS.”

“After a few weeks of training, I’m riding 28 miles a day and working my way to 100,” Spence continued. “I’ll be ready for the ride by April 3rd. This ride will raise money and awareness of MS, and I hope it will remind folks that anyone can break through the boundaries life creates for them.”

The trip will run through the following cities:

Tuesday, April 3 Leave Kansas City, MO
Wednesday, April 4 Columbia, MO
Friday, April 6 St. Louis, MO
Saturday, April 7 Springfield, IL
Sunday, April 8 Decatur, IL
Tuesday, April 10 Chicago, IL
Friday, April 13 Indianapolis, IN
Sunday, April 15 Dayton, OH
Monday, April 16 Columbus, OH
Wednesday, April 18 Pittsburgh, PA
Friday, April 20 Harrisburgh, PA
Saturday, April 21 Lancaster, PA
Sunday, May 22 Philadelphia, PA
Monday, May 23 New York, NY

Sean Spence currently lives and works in Kansas City, MO. Over the course of his career, Spence has worked in marketing, public relations, and primarily as a political campaign professional. His volunteer background includes work for many charities. This will be the first effort supporting Multiple Sclerosis-related organizations. More can be read about Spence’s trip at www.MissouriToManhattan.com.
####

Press Release

I have to wait to hear back from my partner, Becky, before I can send it out (she's a very good editor!) but I've written a media release to send about the trip. No, I don't think anyone will be particularly interested just yet, but I want folks to start finding out about it on a larger scale. I'm going to start the actual fundraising process some time in January, and I'd like to keep building awareness until then. The release is really just a heads up to reporters -- maybe they'll want to write something as we get closer to the big day (or, like, if I get hit by a bus or something).

Schedule Change

I've been planning to leave Kansas City on Monday, March 12th so that my trip could include National MS Week, which is the week of March 17th. Unfortunately, I'm having to make a shift, and want to announce it right away.

New Missouri to Manhattan dates:
Leave Kansas City, MO -- Monday, April 2, 2007
Arrive New York, NY -- Tuesday, April 23, 2007

Now, just to make sure you understand that I'm not arbitrarily putting the date off to be a big fat procrastinator, I'll explain. The fact is that, in real life, I'm a political campaign guy -- my job is to manage political candidates running for office. Following a pretty nice win in November, I took a job managing a candidate whose election is in March (assuming we win the February primary election). So I'm going to stick around for one week after the March 27th election, and then hit the road the following Monday, April 2.

Training continues to go well. I'm up to a consistent 28-30 miles pretty much every day and am getting ready for my first 50, which is scheduled for one week from today. Can't wait!

- sean

I officially love riding my bike...

As of today, I have lost eight pounds as I train for my ride. I'm averaging 28 miles in two hours a day and am getting ready for my first 50 mile day. I actually think I'm going to be able to make this happen, ya know?

Training Update

This morning I biked 28.1 miles in two hours. I figure that's going to be where I end up for my daily training (instead of 25, as I was expecting). The next big hurdle will be to do a 50 mile ride. Not sure when I should do that. I guess I'll just set a target right now. I'll do that on Sunday, December 17th. Wish me luck!

- sean

Today

Today I'm going to take a break from riding. I'm now riding 25 miles a day as my regular program and I think my body needs a break. I'm also going to take a step back and look at my plan for moving forward. There is so much to do to prepare for a 1500 mile bike ride (yes, that is my understatement for the morning).

Pit Stops

Today I'm going to start contacting all of the local chapters of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to let them know what I'm doing. My goal is to have small fundraising/awareness raising gatherings in each city with a chapter. If the chapters help me invite people, then they can have any money we raise at the gatherings (with any per-mile pledges going to NMSS or another national organization).

As a reminder, here are the major stops on my route. Almost all of them have a local chapter of NMSS (which is, in part, how they were chosen).

Kansas City, MO
Columbia, MO
St. Louis, MO
Springfield, MO
Decatur, IL
Chicago, IL
Indianapolis, IN
Dayton, OH
Columbus, OH
Pittsburgh, PA
Harrisburg, PA
Lancaster, PA
Philadelphia, PA
New York, NY