Getting in Gear

Our bikes have arrived and been assembled. All of us have been busy studying for finals and putting in as many miles as possible. It seems impossible to log enough miles to be prepared for our journey, but studying seems to be a top priority. 

Our fundraising efforts are paying off. We have raised near $30,000 and the total is growing daily. Thank you to all those who have donated!

Moving along

It's official. The flights are finalized and the first attempts at making a route are being made. We will be arriving in San Fransisco on June 13th at 9:30AM.

Ben and Jerry's Update!

Ben and Jerry's "Free Cone Day" was a huge success raising over $1100 bringing our cumulative total thus far near $10,000! Pictures to follow!

Free Cone Day

On Teusday, 4/21/09 from 12-8PM, all of your favorite Coast to Coast riders will be serving free ice cream at Ben and Jerry's of West Hartford. Donations appreciated!

The Zen Bar

On May 1st, The Zen Bar will be hosting Coast to Coast 2009. There will be a suggested $5 cover, 100% of which will go toward Lea's Foundation. There will be $2 drafts and Karaoke. The event will begin directly following "The Gong Show" (approximately 8:00)  at UCHC. 

Upcoming events

All of our current efforts are focused around fund raising and spreading the word about our cause. Some of our upcoming events are below.

3/10/09 - REI Presentation
The 2008 and 2009 riders will give a presentation about cycle touring and what is involved in planning a Coast to Coast bike ride. Click here for more information!

3/26/09 - Murphy and Scarletti's
Live band and appetizers are provided. There is a $10 cover charge that will go to benefit Lea's Foundation.

The Team

Katherine Farmer is a native of Madison, Connecticut, where she graduated from Daniel Hand High School in 2003. She holds a B.S. from Bates College in Maine, with a major in biology with a minor in French. While at Bates, she was a member of the lacrosse team and spent much of her free time outside hiking, running and skiing, but never took up cycling. She is excited to support such a great cause while spending her summer outdoors on a bike!

Andrew Cathers was born in Orange, California, and grew up in Coventry, Rhode Island. He attended Bishop Hendricken High School in Warwick, RI, and graduated in 2004. In 2008, he graduated from Providence College with a B.S. in Biology and a Liberal Arts Honors Degree. He grew up playing football and baseball and now he enjoys bass guitar, mountain biking, and combat sports. He is excited for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help others while seeing the breadth of the United States.

Anthony Faustini grew up in Orange, Connecticut and attended Amity High School. He earned his Bachelor of Science and Doctorate in Pharmacy at the University of Connecticut. Anthony is trained as an EMT and has a passion for the outdoors. He is looking forward to meeting new people and seeing the country while supporting a wonderful cause.

Ross Bickford grew up in Granby, Connecticut and attended the University of Connecticut as an undergraduate where he majored in Molecular and Cell Biology and minored in Physiology and Neurobiology. Ross' first major adventure in service involved teaching community health workers and helping raise funds for an orphanage while staying in Kisumu, Kenya. Ross is thrilled that he will have the opportunity to once again raise money for a charitable cause while meeting new people and seeing the country.