Training, first week...

As some of you may know, I am raising money for the Fuller Center for Housing so they can improve living conditions in the Congo by giving people there simple, decent homes to live in. I believe in this cause because when I was in school, one of the first things I was taught were the three basic needs of a human being - food (water), clothing, and shelter. I have been given the chance to give one of those needs to people who need it desperately. But I will need support - not just financial (I have a certain amount of money I have pledged to donate and I have a campaign I am putting into action to help me reach my goal) but emotional. I know that my friends and family and my wonderful fiance' (Jessica McDonald) are supporting me throughout this journey that could lead to great things beyond what I ever thought I could accomplish (riding across the continental U.S. next summer, building houses with the Fuller Center, meeting people who I am helping, traveling overseas for projects), because I know I cannot accomplish them alone.

I have been logging some miles on my bike when I am able, even though it is not where I need to be at the moment. I hope in the next week I can solidify my training schedule to a point where I can put in around at least 175-200 miles a week.

That's where I am at the moment...

As far as other things I plan to do:

I will not trim or shave my beard until I am in Jackson, MS. The scragglier I get, the more opportunity I will have to talk about what I am doing.

I plan to implement a kickstarter-type reward system for my donors. It is not fully thought out, but it is designed to off at least some sort of incentive to donate to this cause. Bracelets made of recycled materials, recycled t shirts, I can make you dinner, I will write you a song and record it, will play poker with you (I am terrible at poker so you will win and we can't play for money because you would just get your donation back. We could play with Cheetos! Just Kidding...), or really anything else that anyone could want... within reason obviously.

Well, that's all I have for today!

Take care everybody!

Beginning of blog.

Hello everyone,

My name is Cameron Duke and you may or may not know me... but that's ok. Through this medium I will be sharing my interests and efforts with you - I will encourage participation, feedback, and above all maybe I will make you think about things differently.

I believe this can be a beautiful thing, and I hope you do too.

Cameron.