Monday, March 29, 2010

CEC sponsors "Macro4Micro" - latest blog update

Hi CEC!

Since our team has made tremendous progress in the last month, I'd like to give you an update on the Macro for Micro campaign.

To date, we're on Day 22 of cycling, we've covered over 1,500km so far, and have surpassed $20,000 in fundraising! We've had some very inspiring events at special events and universities across Australia, and have spent some quality time sharing with attendees our message, and the partners that have contributed to our success.

Our partnership has been incredibly rewarding. The camping equipment has been crucial to each night's sleep. We've spent the first couple weeks getting familiar with the set-up and take down of the tents. We've got it down to an art now! Our sleeping bags have been fantastic as well. The built-in inflatable mattresses are fantastic considering the vast range of terrains we've slept on.

We've injected CEC in our social media, website and photography as a means of sharing its frequent use. I hope you've had a chance to see its exciting presence!

Where we've had the most positive feedback is in camper parks where people have inquired about our equipment and our experiences with it! We have a lot of product feedback for you if you are ever considering product improvements in the future. With that said, we've been very happy with its performance.

We are geared up to continue promoting the use of the equipment in the coming months as we continue across Australia. Please let me know if we are not fulfilling expectations in any way or if there are any ideas you have for highlighting the gear's use.

Really looking forward to hearing from you!

M4M



Sent via BlackBerry® from Telstra

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Blog update from CEC CEC sponsors "Macro4Micro" - latest blog update

Macro for Micro: "03/14/2010
0km Travelled

Today was a totally new experience for the Macro for Micro team - we had a rest day!!! Wowowow!

Canberra, the capital of Australia, is home to lots of interesting and educational sites about the country. The group split up today to make use of our free time - Geoff and Isabella took care of some much MUCH needed laundry and internetting, while Stu and I explored Parliament and the National Museum. Overall, it was interesting but my mind was wandering elsewhere...

No, I wasn't thinking about the 120kms we have scheduled for tomorrow - I was focused on getting my first Asian meal since my arrival in Australia 2 weeks ago! Living out of a van has taken a huge toll on the variety of food we get to eat so my taste buds were desperate for some change. After a bike ride through the city in search of a good dining area, we happily inhaled a bowl noodles in 10 minutes. Back to peanut butter sandwich breakfasts and spaghetti lunches tomorrow!

I hope tonight brings a restful night's sleep because I'll really need it to make it through tomorrow's ride. 120kms is the longest day we have had and I'm sure it will be a memorable one. It always helps to think that we are doing this for an incredible cause though."

Blog update from CEC CEC sponsors "Macro4Micro" - latest blog update


03/18/2010

This wraps up Day 11 of cycling and I feel like we're getting a nice groove going. Packing up our camp site from Cann River took slightly less than 2 hours which is, believe it or not, a real improvement. Our ride was a steady 75km, mostly an uphill grind, but an overcast sky was a nice change from the roasting afternoon soon we experienced earlier this week.

Maybe we were riding on some transport routes today because there were definitely more trucks and semi's passing by us than before. This can get pretty scary sometimes when, for example, you are approaching a tight 2 lane bridge ahead with maybe 1 foot of space on the shoulder. Then you come to realize that the familiar hum you hear from behind is growing louder which means in 3-5 seconds a truck will be passing you. And put that together with oncoming traffic that will lead to all 3 of you - biker, semi, and car - testing the width of that bridge.

I guess it's a good introduction to the famous Aussie 'road trains' we've heard so much about. If you've never heard of a road train before, just picture a semi but extend that by 3 or more trailers. Imagine that 200 tonnes of mass blasting down the highway throwing wind, dust, rock, and other debris in every direction. I'd say this is one of the top 3 things we get warned about when talking about the Nullarbor desert (the other 2 would be the Red Dust and sundry wild animals/insects that want to kill us). If you want more info on road trains, I found a good page here: http://www.outback-australia-travel-secrets.com/australian-road-trains.html.

It was a hard day on the quads so I've earned myself a good sleep tonight. The folks at Orbust Caravan Park have been so wonderfully friendly and generous. Our lush camp site is all set-up for bed! Thanks for staying up to date with our team and our crazy adventures. Stay tuned for more! 

Blog update from CEC CEC sponsors "Macro4Micro" - latest blog update

03/17/2010

Population 250 + 4


Happy St. Patricks day everyone! We are currently in Cann River which is a tiny town, population of only 250 people. Todd from the Cann River Hotel has hooked us up by giving us a free nights accommodation at the Cann River Caravan Park. There are only a few other campers around so we've been able to get to know everyone.

I don't know how anyone else feels about leeches but personally I can NOT stand them, and I feel like I've seen more in the last 4 hours then I've seen in my entire life.

Now onto the more important things. Today we had an amazing day cycling. The road from Bombala to Cann River was fantastic, cycling through a national park and the road was mostly downhill. We were an hour ahead of schedule getting into town. Its been pretty hot all afternoon reaching a high of 28 degrees celsius. This was a huge change from the 4 degrees we woke up to this morning. It was so cold I actually pulled out my extra mittens (I packed them not knowing if I might need them, glad I did).

Overall it was a fantastic day and now we're sitting down to dinner to brainstorm some fund-raising ideas. If you have any let us know and if you'd like to donate check out our support page.

Monday, March 15, 2010

CEC sponsors "Macro4Micro" - latest blog update

Camping Equipment Co. will be supplying us with the tools and supplies we need to survive in Australia's outback. With a spacious tent alongside our camper, complete with air mattresses, sleeping bags and a few other necessities to long-term camping, we are thankful to have partnered with an organization known for its durability and reliability!

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Blog update from CEC CEC sponsors "Macro4Micro"


03/13/2010

Where do our days go? It blows my mind that its been two weeks already and yet I feel as though we haven't even started. It may be that we have gotten into a routine that requires the same task everyday. Wake up, washroom (shower if one is available) roll up our sleeping bags, pack up our tent and eat breakfast. Then we prepare ourselves for the road to come. By the time we are done cycling it is pretty late in the afternoon. We eat dinner and our out by the time the sun goes down. Same thing day in and day out. The great thing about the four of us is that we are able to keep each other fully entertained. I originally thought it would be hard to be in such a tight space with other people but its turning out easier than I thought, so far.

Today proved to be easier than yesterday. The first half of the day the road was rolling meadows and fairly easy. We did an interview with ShineFM in Bungadore. The second half of our day started with Smiths path and only one word can describe it, intense. The rest of the road into Canberra went fairly smoothly and we cycled a total of 80km. We are really looking forward to a rest day in Canberra tomorrow. 

Saturday, March 13, 2010

CEC sponsors "Macro4Micro" - latest blog update


03/10/2010

Well day 3 is done!
After successful instruction from a talented, well spoken and handsome instructor vivian is just rocking the manual van solo like she's been doing it for years. The mentioned instructor will continue with isabella tomorrow.

It rained steadily last night and our tent passed its first weather test with flying colours (without tarps)... Thanks CEC. I jinxed the rain of course by saying it looked really clear just before going to bed. At any rate we were dreading rain the whole time packing up getting ready and it basically stopped for the whole day. Great ride with some epic hills that never ended.

Saw our first kangaroo today...but let's just say it was pretty squashed at the side of the road. So I'm excited to see one hopping around!

We had nowhere to stay but Viv and Isabella were chatting with Lee at Ulladulla's headland tourist park and they were kind enough to let us pitch up here for free. Amazing hospitality and we have a awesome setup here.

And for the biggest news...
I was walking downtown and I saw a sign for "tea house". My heartrate bounding I madly start running down the street in search of this impossibility. Panicking I dart into the mall thinking this was the way. As I was sucked into the gloom of the mall I wandered in ever growing despair unable to locate the shop. My frenzy grew as I burst on the street in a panic only to see the store shimmering out of the ground like a mirage (a mirage situated in front of a lawn bowling club but still a mirage)! In Ulladulla's oldest house there was 'something brewing' to feed my steeping needs. At last macro for micro has been stocked with premium loose leaf teas!!!! They were super nice and gave us a discount when they heard what we were about.

A yoga session on the beach rounded out the day and some burgers and salad were quickly dispatched at dins. Its actually looking like rain tonight so we made the correct decision and setup the tarp.
Day 4 continues through the hills...stay tuned for updates

Stu
Sent via BlackBerry® from Telstra

Friday, March 12, 2010

CEC sponsors "Macro4Micro" - latest blog update


02/28/2010

Well, after 9 months of taking a simple idea to a full-scale international fundraising campaign, we are very excited to be packed, trained, organized and READY to hit the roads of Australia!

Before we go though, we want to take an opportunity to thank each and every person that has contributed to this campaign in some for or another, and has brought it to the place it now stands.

Family: Standing behind each of us has validated our desires to bring change to a world facing serious social plights. You're support, whether it be financial or moral, has given us the drive to help those less fortunate.

Friends: You were the ones that, although may have thought of us as crazy for pursuing such a venture, could be relied on for advice and for brainstorming. No part of this campaign could have been devised without your input and support.

People Met Along the Way: One of the most beautiful things we have found of working on this campaign, have been the people we have met, and stories heard. We thank everyone we've talked to over the last year for your inspiration, motivation and guidance.

DONORS! - Thank you for recognizing the seriousness of our challenge, and the importance of this cause by not just giving us your words of encouragement, but showing the support by sacrificing your hard earned money. We are so thankful and are excited to know that so many more lives will now be changed as a result.

We love you all! Only a week till we cycle! 

Thursday, March 11, 2010

CEC sponsors "Macro4Micro" - latest blog update


01/07/2010

It's very difficult to explain how surreal it is to watch an idea become bigger than an individual...

Macro For Micro has been in planning and developing stages since May 2009. Since then we have accomplished what many people doubted...

We have a recruited a team of four passionate cycling enthusiasts ready to take on the challenge of a life time (oh - and we've been training like crazy!)

We have garnered the generous support of some very strategic partners, including Fluid Media (the maker of this website), BlackBerry, Lululemon Athletica, Future Shop, Vivente Bikes, Camping Equipment Co., and Traveller's Autobarn.

We have built a strong relationship with Opportunity International Australia and Canada.

But most of all, we have proven to ourselves that small things can make a big difference.

Every day has brought us closer to realizing our goals. We're very excited to share this experience with you in the coming months!

Please join our Facebook and Twitter pages to stay in the loop with our continued progress.

Thank you so much for taking the time to learn.