Well, we've done it, 303 total miles ridden, with 500 lb's. onboard our beautiful bike- thanks again and always to Mark Nobilette of Nobilette cycles, and to Steve and Ruth Meyer of Mainstreet Pedicabs. Thanks to the dozens of people who helped us in ways large and small, and especially to all the groups that believed in us and partnered with us to present events at which we fundraised for them. We were able to present our project to many, many more people, and to raise much more money than we did in our maiden voyage of 2009. We've received attention from many media outlets as we travelled, and I've heard we've been mentioned from far across the country. We we're the recipients of a grant from a Foundation based in New Mexico, without even applying, or no known connection! It's starting to take off, and I'm full of enthusiasm for the future of the project.
My biggest thanks go to my partners who planned, helped fundraise, learned and recorded music, and most importantly rode with me as members of the Joybox Express Quartet every inch of the way; Brian Delaney, Carl Hildebrandt, and Pete Siers. Also, it's important to note that we really rode as a group of five, our friend and photographer John Lilley was with us the whole way and has thousands of images of the trip. Also, we'll never forget the energy and good spirit that Phillis Englebert brought to us as she rode and helped us for 5 or 6 days- we all loved having you Phillis!
We'll take a break now, and wait awhile before any future plans are made, but we'll be back riding and playing- we've loved it too much to not find new ways for us to make the project grow.... Mark Braun