After undergrad at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2000, I moved to Austin, Texas. I'm currently a second year Masters candidate at the School of Information at the University of Texas at Austin pursuing interests in human computer interaction, instructional design, online communities, and rich media presentation in an online environment. I'll be graduating this December, after a summer of mountain air.

I've never owned an automobile due in no small part to my regard for cycling. Austin is a bike-friendly city with a climate conducive to year round bike-riding. Although many of my friends have cars to motor around town, several choose cycling as their main form of transport which makes trips to Barton Springs all the more fun.

My graduate studies, teaching assistantships, and training don't allow me much free time. But, I love what I'm doing and I'm lucky enough to love my colleagues. j, Patrick, and Sam are just a few of the many people who make work seem like play.

I am overwhelmed by the strength and determination of all I have met that have or are dealing with cancer and its effects. I feel that this bike ride is my opportunity to give some of that strength and determination back. I have long dreamed of a cross-country ride, I can think of no better way to realize this dream. I consider raising money and spreading knowledge about cancer to be both worthy and enjoyable ways to spend my summer.

In addition to school and work, I will spend this spring training and fundraising. I am volunteering my time, body, energy, and funds for the better part of this year in the hopes that the money and awareness I raise will continue to help the fight against cancer. I've been told that dynamite comes in small packages, I'm going to prove it.

Check out my training site.