Summer Events...

As any regular reader of this Blog knows, I am a cyclist.  I ride for exercise, for fun, and even to actually go places.  (Shocking, I know...)

Well, one of the things I try to do with cycling is raise money for charities.  What can be better that doing something you enjoy, to do something that matters?  Anyway, that is what this blog post is all about, raising money for charities by cycling.

By the way, any of you runners or cyclists out there, check out CharityMiles. Track your mileage, post your stats, and give money to good causes with your smart phone.

Presented below is a chronological list of the charity cycling events that I'm doing this summer.  Please look each charity over, look at the dates, and answer for yourself one of two questions:

1. Do I want to do this?
2. Do I want to sponsor Chris doing this?

Once you have a decision, if it's "Yes", you can click on the appropriate link to go to a web page where you can do what you've chosen to do.  If you don't want to do an online donation, contact me through whatever Social Media you saw this on (LinkedIn, Twitter, ZMGNA list, etc.) and I'll let you know how to proceed.

If you choose to do nothing, then, do nothing...

Date	Event	Charity	Links
May 30, 2015	Tour de H2O - Water for Africa (10, 25, 50 or 62 miles)
		The Tour de H2O works with Global Partners for Development to bring sources of clean drinking water, and facilities and education for personal hygiene, to communities in Africa, specifically Kenya and Uganda. Each project is managed and partially paid for by an organization in the local community, which takes on responsibility for upkeep. For information on previous years' projects, see http://www.tourdeh2o.org/Pages/Projects.aspx	I want to ride!
			http://www.tourdeh2o.org/Pages/Registration.aspx
			I want to sponsor!
			http://www.tourdeh2o.org/pages/kotting.aspx
June 6, 2015	Tour de Cure – American Diabetes Association
		The Tour de Cure is a series of fundraising cycling events held in 44 states nationwide to benefit the American Diabetes Association. The Tour is a ride, not a race, with routes designed for everyone from the occasional rider to the experienced cyclist. Whether you ride 10 miles or 100 miles, you will travel a route supported from start to finish with rest stops, food to fuel the journey and fans to cheer you on! I ride this one because of two young ladies, Julia and Nina, who each have Type 1 (what used to be called “Juvenile”) Diabetes. Unlike Type 2 Diabetes (which can often be treated or prevented through diet and exercise) in Type 1, your immune system freaks out and attacks the insulin-making cells in the Pancreas.	I want to ride!
			http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR/TourdeCure/TourAdmin?fr_id=10141&pg=entry
			I want to sponsor!
			http://main.diabetes.org/goto/ckotting
June 20-21, 2015	BikeMS – Bike to the Bay (Saturday 35, 50, 75, 100 - Sunday 50, 75, 100)
		The BikeMS is a series of 100 fundraising cycling events held nationwide to benefit the local chapters of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Most of the money goes to provide local programs ans support for people with MS, the rest goes to support research into cures. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. The effects are unpredictable, and may include tingling, numbness, loss of coordiantion or muscular control, and loss of vision. While it is currently thought to be an autoimmune disorder, little is understood about the trigger. I do these rides because I know a number of people (friends, co-workers, and family) who are affected by MS.	I want to ride!
			https://secure3.convio.net/nmss/site/TRR/Bike/OHABikeEvents/1892452554
			I want to sponsor!
			http://bikeoha.nationalmssociety.org/goto/ckottingB2B15
July 11, 2015	BikeMS – Central Ohio Challenge (30, 50, and 95 miles)
		The BikeMS is a series of 100 fundraising cycling events held nationwide to benefit the local chapters of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Most of the money goes to provide local programs ans support for people with MS, the rest goes to support research into cures. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. The effects are unpredictable, and may include tingling, numbness, loss of coordiantion or muscular control, and loss of vision. While it is currently thought to be an autoimmune disorder, little is understood about the trigger. I do these rides because I know a number of people (friends, co-workers, and family) who are affected by MS.	I want to ride!
			https://secure3.convio.net/nmss/site/TRR/Bike/OHABikeEvents/1545525962
			I want to sponsor!
			http://bikeoha.nationalmssociety.org/goto/ckottingCOC15
Aug. 1 – 2, 2015	BikeMS – Buckeye Breakaway [Formerly Pedal to the Point] - (30, 75, 100, 150, 175 miles)
		The BikeMS is a series of 100 fundraising cycling events held nationwide to benefit the local chapters of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Most of the money goes to provide local programs ans support for people with MS, the rest goes to support research into cures. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. The effects are unpredictable, and may include tingling, numbness, loss of coordiantion or muscular control, and loss of vision. While it is currently thought to be an autoimmune disorder, little is understood about the trigger. I do these rides because I know a number of people (friends, co-workers, and family) who are affected by MS.	I want to ride!
			https://secure3.convio.net/nmss/site/TRR/Bike/OHABikeEvents/869391215
			I want to sponsor!
			http://bikeoha.nationalmssociety.org/goto/ckottingBB15
Aug. 8 – 13, 2015	SD4SD South Dakota for Sun Dial (400 miles, shorter distances & One Day participation welcome)
		More details on this one to follow, but this will be a week-long trip across South Dakota to raise funds for the Sun Dial retirement community in Bristol, South Dakota. More details are coming, so stay tuned.