Hello friends, family, or kind strangers!  On May 29th 2018, one day before my twenty-fifth birthday, I quit my job as a solar analyst, sold the lion's share of my things, moved out of my claustrophobic Brooklyn apartment, and set out to pedal from Washington D.C. to Los Angeles -- fundraising for <a href="https://www.alz.org/">Alzheimer's Awareness</a> along the way! You can read more about my trip <a href="https://condonliamt1.wixsite.com/goneforaride">here</a>. For the past few months it's taken to plan this trip, I've been exclusively focused on the most meticulous of details. My packing list (what exactly will I need, how much does it all weigh, where can I cut corners and where should I splurge), the route I'll  be taking (What roads are best? Which ones should I avoid?), the list goes on. There's an important practicality in being this diligent, sure, but with my mind buried in gear-ratio forums for weeks at a time, it never even occurred to me an opportunity was presenting itself.  An opportunity to take this gargantuan task I would be undertaking, and redirect the focus from myself onto a much more important and often overlooked subject. Considering I'll be hitting the pavement in June, I've decided a much deserving subject would be Alzheimer's Awareness Month. The 6th leading cause of death in the United States, Alzheimer's and other dementia diseases will cost the nation nearly $280 billion. By 2050, that number could eclipse $1 trillion.  Formed in 1980, the Alzheimer's Association <a href="https://www.alz.org/research/overview.asp">advances research</a> to end Alzheimer's and dementia while <a href="https://www.alz.org/about_us_about_us_.asp#enhance">enhancing care</a> for those living with the disease.  I've set a goal of $1000, which works out to just over $0.25 per mile I'll be pedaling. If you wish to join me and this cause, I've set recommended donation amounts of $15, $35 $60, or $100 in accordance with the Alzheimer Association's website , but a donation of any amount really does make a difference.  Follow my journey on <a href="http://goneforaride.com">my blog</a>, and stand with the <a href="https://www.alz.org/">Alzheimer's Association</a> as they continue to lead the charge in finding a cure.  Thank you for reading, and for any contributions.

Charles Martin

Tom and Carol Samuelson

Gloria Thompson

Robert Thompson

Michael Dorey

Anonymous

Tina and Dave Vieregg

Raj Soi

Steve Rutherford

Tom Hennigan

Erin Parisi

Joe & Mary Lou Parisi

Sheri Lasley-Ruiz

Camille  McGowan 

Bridget Frymier

Michelle Garrity

Maegan & Jason Cross

Alan Goodridge

Ruth Connors

Liam's Pedal for Progress

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