Goal

Hi. I'm back with my annual human powered challenge -- riding my bicycle more than 500 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles in February to attend the annual TED conference (www.ted.com) in Long Beach. I have completed this ride four times in the past three years -- twice for I Think I Can campaigns. Last year I completed the ride in 5 days, and raised $4,102 for ATC. In 2010, it took me 6 days -- thanks to two days of vicious headwinds and driving rain -- and I raised $10,681 for ATC. The other two rides were just for "fun", and took 5 days each.

FOLLOW ALONG, RAIN OR SHINE!

I ride solo and unassisted (no support vehicle). I don't camp -- I want a hot shower, a good meal and a warm bed after 12 hours on the road. Motel 6 rocks! The coastal route along Highway 1 -- also called the Great Highway -- is breathtaking. February is a good time to ride this route, because there are very few tourist buses and cars, but the weather is hit-or-miss -- it can be sunny and calm, or rainy and windy. This year I'm planning on five days. I'm hoping for clear, calm weather conditions, but I will ride rain or shine.

I depart from the center of the Golden Gate Bridge at sunrise on Wednesday, February 22, 2012. During the ride, I'm on the road for 10 to 12 hours per day -- typically 8 hours "in the saddle", plus a few breaks (and an occasional flat tire). I will be sending frequent updates along the way via Twitter (@markdwight) and Facebook, including photos and videos, so you can enjoy the journey from the comfort of your office chair.

HELP ME RAISE $10,000 FOR ATC

My goal is to raise at least $10,000 this year -- and I will work hard to raise even more.

I encourage you to make any level of contribution, but if 100 people pledge $100 each -- less than 20-cents per mile per person -- I will achieve my fund raising goal.

DONATE AND WIN GREAT PRIZES!

$1000

Anyone who donates $1000 to this campaign will receive a personal tour of my company, Rickshaw Bagworks (www.rickshawbags.com) -- where we make cool custom messenger bags right here in San Francisco -- AND we'll make one of our custom Zero Messenger Bags just for you during your visit.

$500

Anyone who donates $500 will receive a special Limited Edition 2012 I Think I Can commemorative Zero Messenger Bag (design to be announced soon).

$100 - $499

Anyone who donates $100 or more will receive a special Limited Edition 2012 I Think I Can commemorative Classic Musette Bag (design to be announced soon).

Any $$$

No matter how much you donate, you will receive the eternal gratitude of the fabulous ATC team and their clients, and the personal gratification of contributing to an important and worthy cause. Oh, and you'll receive all of my updates along the way.

THANK YOU!

I chose this goal because

I'm a cycling enthusiast, and an advocate of bicycling as eco-friendly and healthy alternative transportation. In addition to ATC, I'm a dedicated supporter of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition (www.sfbike.org). I ride my bicycle to work almost everyday here in San Francisco. I am not now, and never have been a competitive cyclist -- I simply like to ride my bicycle, and encourage others to do the same. This annual ride to LA has become a personal challenge, a time for contemplation, and an opportunity for me to rally my family, friends and associates to contribute to a worthy cause.

I'm helping because

I've been an ATC supporter for nine years, and I think the work these folks do is very important. And, it's tough work! I have four teenage children myself, and my kids are the same ages as some of the kids ATC seeks to help -- and some of these kids even have young children of their own. It breaks my heart to think about the circumstances that lead these kids to homelessness, and the conditions and situations they must endure on the street. While there are a number of organizations here in SF that seek to assist homeless youth, ATC runs a unique program that reaches out to kids that fall outside these other programs.

I have the utmost respect for the dedication, humanity and tireless effort of the ATC team. I'm using my ride to engage my family, friends and associates to raise awareness for ATC, and to make a financial contribution to this important organization.