Just a blip in time!

Remember the Rolling Stones song "Time is on my side"?

I wish that was the case. However, this is obviously NOT our theme for preparing BioRide 2008. We have had a little over one month to prepare for a one-month journey around the United States. I am so impressed with the way things have gelled together, and the large amount of hurdles we have surmounted. The BioRide idea started full steam and has been consistent since the very inception of it.

Today, on September 30th, we are hosting our second fundraiser of this adventure at the EASTLAKE GRILL at 7:00 (http://www.eastlakebarandgrill.com/).

Other news: "Doogie" (our ride) has had a make-over! 'She' is a lovely pearl white and eagerly awaiting graphics!

Furthermore, we have the itinerary completed, and it is going to be tough! Apparently, there is going to be a large amount of hours logged driving around the country. Who would've guessed...

Here is the scheduled itinerary:

BioRide Itinerary for October (subject to change)
Wed. 8 – Seattle, WA to Portland, OR
Th 9 – Portland, OR to San Francisco, CA
Fr 10 – Day in San Francisco, CA
Sa 11 – San Francisco, CA to L.A., CA
Su 12 – Day in Las Angeles
Mo 13 – L.A. to San Diego, CA
Tu 14 – San Diego, CA to Las Vegas, NV
We 15 – Day in Las Vegas (Nick flies back to Seattle)
Th 16 – Leave Las Vegas (Wait for Nick’s return flight from Seattle), drive to Bullhead City, AZ (give presentation to school)
Fr 17 – Bullhead City, AZ to Boulder, CO - Bio Convention!
Sa 18 – Day in Boulder – Bio Convention!
Su 19 – Day in Boulder – Bio Convention!
Mo 20 – Boulder, CO to Austin, TX
Tu 21 – Austin, TX to Little Rock, AR
We 22 – Day in Little Rock, AR (Nick flies back to Seattle)
Th 23 – Little Rock, AR to New Orleans, LA (pick Nick up in New Orleans)
Fr 24 – New Orleans, LA to Jacksonville, FL
Sa 25 – Jacksonville, FL to Virginia Beach, VA
Su 26 – Virginia Beach, VA to Baltimore, MD (day trip to Washington DC)
Mo 27 – Baltimore, MD to Portland, ME (day trip to Manhattan, NY)
Tu 28 – Portland, ME to Detroit, MI
We 29 – Day in Detroit, MI
Th 30 – Detroit, MI to Minneapolis, MN
Fr 31 – Minneapolis, MN to Billings, MO
Sa 1 – Billings, MO to Seattle, WA

The BioRide team is still finalizing stops along the way at various schools and universities. Although we will be pressed for time, stopping to spread the word about alternative energies and the accessibility of biofuels is the most important part. I greatly anticipate these stops along the way...

I'm out. -Nick

ryans update

So were two days away from the fundraiser,Right now, this project has left our hands and been given to the people we love and trust to decide weather or not this dream will become a reality.
I can only hope that enough people show up to support our cause as we have anticipated. Regardless of how this all turns out, I would just like to say that I have seen how passionate and enthusiastic my comrades have been over the last two weeks, and nomatter how this turns out, I would just like to say how proud I am to have been involved in this, and how honored I am to call myself part of the bioride team!!!
With this kind of teamwork and perseverence there is no limit to what we can accomplish.
sincerely,
Ryan McLeod

BIORIDE 2008!!

BIORIDE2008 is an independent grassroots alternative energy project.
The Goal: Convert a 1985 Diesel Suburban into a biofuel vehicle that runs solely on waste vegetable oil and drive 10,000 miles around the perimeter of the United States.

FAQ:
Who is BIORIDE 2008?

The BIORIDE 2008 Support Crew, Ground Crew and Road Crew are members of a global community that recognize a need for new and alternative energy solutions. Friends and members of BIORIDE 2008 come from a wide variety of personal, geographical and professional backgrounds.

What will the BIORIDE 2008 Road Crew do in the communities it visits?
The BIORIDE 2008 Road Team will be visiting schools, fundraisers, rallies and sporting events and discussing the benefits of alternative energy.

What happens after the BIORIDE 2008 Tour?
The BIORIDE 2008 vehicle will be raffled off for charity.

What is waste vegetable oil?
Waste vegetable oil is the by-product left over from restaurant deep-fryers. Typically after the close of business the fryers are cleaned and the old oil is thrown away.

Where will the BIORIDE 2008 Road Crew be staying?
The BIORIDE 2008 Road Crew will be staying with friends, family, and supporters from the communities that BIORIDE 2008 visits.

I want to be involved. How can I help?
Visit the BIORIDE 2008 websites and show your support! If you have equipment, advice, knowledge or words of encouragement log onto the BIORIDE 2008 websites listed below and let the world know!

What does “SMELL THE ADVENTURE™” mean?
The BIORIDE 2008 motto refers to the peculiar odor of waste vegetable oil – it smells like French Fries when it burns.

Day 12: It's almost too easy...

We are up to day 12 on this project. BIORIDE IS BLOWING UP!!! I can't believe the developments we have had in the past few days. Currently, BioRide is in the process of obtaining sponsorships from 20 companies. These sponsors range from non-profit organizations to small local businesses and even large nationwide chains! As things proliferate, more details will come.

Additionally, we are having a fundraiser at the Spitfire Grill on Thursday, September 18th @ 7:00 All proceeds go to... well... THE PROJECT! Obviously... For address go to http://www.thebadjujulounge.com/

We have a goal of $10,000.

Final note: the "ride" for BioRide has been named DOOGIE.

-Nick

Day 9: Seattle Sponsor Search and such...

Here's where the day started. Jeremiah and I were searching for more sponsors.

During our 'sponsor-search', we went to Kavu. For those of you who are curious what Kavu is, google them like we did. No free rides.

The first person we met in the office was Stephanie. She was exceedingly friendly and helpful. She described to us how the outdoor sporting industry is drooling for projects and ideas like BioRide 2008. After a very engaging discussion, she gave me and Jeremiah a tour of the facilities. We WILL be in touch with Kavu. Side note: Judging by Stephanie's amiable personality, the little bun currently in her oven is going to have some great genes. Congratulations Stephanie!

On another positive note, we have gotten word from team-member Amber, our "Hollywood connection", that Firewater the band ( http://www.firewater.tv/news.php ) will be producing our soundtrack.

This means that all (or most) of our actions on film are going to have music to them. That will be a strange feeling knowing whatever I might be doing at the time is going to have a specific song chosen for that moment. I hope for inspirational music similar to the theme from Rudy or Robin Hood the Prince of Thieves! More on that as it develops...

Team BioRide has the website up!!! ( www.bioride2008.org ) Alright, alright... It's not fully functioning yet, but it's a creative process. Our webmaster is Justine Gordon, she's located in San Francisco and she's been working triple-time on getting the bioride2008.org website up and running. There are many talented, intelligent, hard-working, kind individuals who are making all of this possible. This project is enthralling.

-Nick (a.k.a. Chili)

BIORIDE 2008!!!

BIORIDE2008 is an independent grassroots alternative energy project.

The Goal: Convert a 1985 Diesel Suburban into a biofuel vehicle that runs solely on waste vegetable oil and drive 10,000 miles around the perimeter of the United States.

FAQ:

Who is BIORIDE 2008?

The BIORIDE 2008 Support Crew, Ground Crew and Road Crew are members of a global community that recognize a need for new and alternative energy solutions. Friends and members of BIORIDE 2008 come from a wide variety of personal, geographical and professional backgrounds.

What will the BIORIDE 2008 Road Crew do in the communities it visits?

The BIORIDE 2008 Road Team will be visiting schools, fundraisers, rallies and sporting events and discussing the benefits of alternative energy.

What happens after the BIORIDE 2008 Tour?

The BIORIDE 2008 vehicle will be raffled off for charity.

What is waste vegetable oil?

Waste vegetable oil is the by-product left over from restaurant deep-fryers. Typically after the close of business the fryers are cleaned and the old oil is thrown away.

Where will the BIORIDE 2008 Road Crew be staying?

The BIORIDE 2008 Road Crew will be staying with friends, family, and supporters from the communities that BIORIDE 2008 visits.

I want to be involved. How can I help?

Visit the BIORIDE 2008 websites and show your support! If you have equipment, advice, knowledge or words of encouragement log onto the BIORIDE 2008 websites listed below and let the world know!

What does “SMELL THE ADVENTURE™” mean?

The BIORIDE 2008 motto refers to the peculiar odor of waste vegetable oil – it smells like French Fries when it burns.

The Culmination of Day 8

I have to admit, I am caught in a tornado of emotions. There is anticipation, worry, excitement, doubt, bliss, confusion, exhiliration and there goes the cow flying past me too...

Team BioRide (sans Dr. Wrench because he had to work... lame) met up with Sir Hugh Barber to discuss the idea in detail. I have nothing but admiration and respect for this stand up gentleman. Hugh provided a fresh perspective to the team tonight. Additionally, he reinforced our excitement and pure enthusiasm about this project. That is just one of the myriad of reasons why we are embarking on this mission. Everyone who touches this project seems, to put it simply, pumped. People really respect what we are doing.

Personal update: I presented the idea to the teachers that I work with during the school-year. To my surprise, and despite all of my worrying, they are supportive of it. Granted, I need to train a substitute to 'do what I do' before I leave for 3 weeks. Now, I need to talk to administration to make sure I am allowed the time off. In typical fashion for this adventure, one step at a time, one day at a time. It is day 8 and we are rockin' like Eddie Van Halen in his prime.


-Nick (a.k.a. "Chili" as I have named by the fellow team members. I think it's because I am darker-skinned than the others.)

P.S. Stay tuned. We have some bios for Team BioRide 2008 coming up after these messages!!!!

Saturday, 6:49pm BIORRIDE2008 HQ

The house is quiet. The excitement is fading, no - strike that, it's just transforming. The entire project is solidifying. When I look at my cohorts I see determination - infectious determination.

Four more sponsors have come forward and the old war cry of, "We can do this!" Has evolved into, "We are doing this." We don't have much time - our departure date has been set: Wednesday, October 8th - but a comfortable blanket of resolve has wrapped itself around our team. And goddamn - what a team it is! We have everything from special-needs educators to former military to musicians and every other background in between.


Each hurdle is a challenge and after each one is met, no matter the outcome, we face the next with more experience, more knowledge and rock solid confidence. This is happening. In thirty-two days we will climb into the BIORIDE2008 vehicle, fire up that big bad 6.2L newly converted BIOENGINE and turn our backs on petroleum for the next 10,000 miles.

This is happening.

-Johnson

Friday night. 11:59pm. A one-room studio apartment.

I sit here at the end of yet another long day. We are creating our tour dates. Yes, this is a tour. The team voted on 6 cities, which we are planning various engagements. These cities were chosen because a member of BioRide 2008 has a specific connection to that city for a specific reason. Other cities will be visited along the way, but those will be based on the discretion of Ryan (a.k.a. Dr. Wrench), who will be closely monitoring the vehicles condition.

The 6 cities that are absolute are: (drumroll please........)

1. Detroit
2. Manhattan
3. Washington D.C.
4. New Orleans
5. Las Vegas
6. San Francisco

Tonight is another momentous occasion because we set a date for departure. October 8th. October 8th. October 8th! October 8th! October 8th!

My story: The length of the journey actually depends on how long I am able to get off classes at Seattle University. It sucks knowing that I am the one setting the limitation of the length of the trip. There are so many places to stop along the way! There are going to be unforeseen situations which we will encounter. I LOVE THAT STUFF! My personality thrives in the midst of chaos around me. Unlike many people I have known, I really dig on the unknown. I digress...

I hate having to set a limitation on the trip, but I have too much invested into getting my degrees to skip even one quarter of classes. Arrrrgh. The real world.

Nick
More progress is made today. This feels good.

A Mechanical Marvel

Wakey-Wakey eggs and bakey! Bioride comes home today. Our future "green-machine" will be relocated to mission control and the technologically sophisticated biofuel conversion will begin. Suspension, drive -train, engine and baby-blue-body will all be lovingly massaged, molded and sculpted into a more nature friendly and eco savvy roadwarrior!

-Johnson

Thoughts after a productive day!

There has been so much accomplished in such a short time. Just today, we have:

1. Began to refine the blog (our main way to spread the word)
2. We went to look at the possible vehicle for this adventure... spot on.
3. Created a profile on myspace ( http://www.myspace.com/bioride2008 )
4. Created a group on facebook (BioRide 2008)
5. Utilized advice, information, and suggestions from friends
6. About a thousand various other small things...

The most interesting thing I am learning is there is no way to do this alone. This project necessitates the involvement of the surrounding community. We are embarking on a mission to get sponsers. Although there is some cost involved (bound to happen), the goal is for the local buisinesses to assist us in any way that they can. Whether that is day-old bagels from a bakery or putting a blurb about us on their website, anything helps.

Team BioRide 2008 is doing this. The positivity, motivation, drive and excitement of possibility is overwhealming. In fact, in one day of being "online" we have already tripled our friend base and received offers to stay at "friends" houses as we travel around the perimeter of the country.

It is all of these small steps that will add up to make this a successful journey. I am anticipating the next hurdles tomorrow will bring. This could be big.

Nick

The 3rd Day.

Dr. Wrench says,
"Im callin shinanigans right now!"
I'm gonna make a truck thats older than me, travel the outline if the country!?
This is gonna be awsome!
I could not have asked for a better opportunity to exercize my professional abilities,
as well as bring inspiration to the rest of my community. Its been a whirlwind experience from day one!
I have no idea where this will lead, butI have accepted the fact that we have passed the point of no return.

Ryan

A day of accomplishment!!

Day 3:
Jeremiah and Nicholas have been charging hard and the tick list is getting smaller!

The Team has a vehicle picked out that will be thoroughly inspected by 'Chief Engineer', Ryan McLeod.

Make: Chevrolet

Model: Suburban

Year: 1985

Vital Stats: 6.2 Liter diesel engine, 3" lift, 4x4, WITH a CB Radio!

And the color is a dreamy spot-rust sky blue.

This is the major step in the process. Without a proper vehicle, this road trip could prove to be quite difficult. (a weak attempt at subtle humor)

Here's the hopeful starship that will transport us around the wide expanse of the United States.

Just another step in the process...

Additionally, we now have created a myspace page ( http://www.myspace.com/bioride2008 ) and are in process of creating a facebook page. Between the blog, the myspace page, and the facebook group, we are spreading the word across the electronic community.

This project is evolving rapidly. More updates to come...

Nick

One Biofuel Vehicle, Ten Thousand Miles

BioRide 2008 is an independent grassroots project based on a simple idea:

“Travel as far as we can for as little as possible.”

Objectives:
1. Drive 10,000 miles around the perimeter of the continental United States in a converted vehicle that operates solely on BIOFUEL.
2. Promote and explore BIOFUEL and alternative energy in the communities that we visit.
3. Promote community involvement and community networking.
4. Share the story.

Execution:
1. Locate and secure a suitable donated vehicle and perform the BIOFUEL conversion.
2. Along the way interview people who have and have not been affected by, or exposed to, alternative energy resources.
3. Find lodging in local people’s homes and meet and interacting with people along the way.
4. With the use of sound, film and photographic equipment we will record and document the BioRide 2008 journey with the intent of producing a documentary film that will be distributed to various film festivals.

The Nitty-Gritty:

A donated vehicle will be converted to operate on waste vegetable oil. All fuel will be procured from restaurants and lodging will be provided by a network of friends, family and supporters.

The final product will be an edited film featuring the people, places and situations that we encounter along the way. In the midst of a historic presidential election, where alternative energy is a key issue, the BioRide 2008 Team feels that there will be plenty of source material.

After the trip is completed the vehicle will be raffled off as a fund raising event.

The BioRide '08 vehicle will be driven around the perimeter of United States starting in Seattle, WA and stopping at the following tentative way-points:

Missoula, MT - Bismarck, ND - Duluth, MN - Green Bay, WI - Chicago, IL - Detroit, MI - Cleveland, OH - Buffalo, NY - Montpelier, VT - Bangor, ME - Boston, MA - New York, NY - Washington, D.C. - Richmond, VA - Raleigh, NC - Columbia, SC - Savannah, GA - Macon, GA - Atlanta, GA - Birmingham, AL - Hattiesburg, MS - New Orleans, LA - Shreveport, LA - Memphis, TN - Little Rock, AR - Dallas, TX - Phoenix, AZ - Sandiego, CA - San Francisco, CA - Astoria, OR - Portland, OR and back to Seattle, WA.


Current Sponsors:

Cloud Creek Institute for the Arts - Film equipment and Creative Direction

The beginning.......

“BioRide ’08 - Smell the Adventure” is about telling the story of getting there with less. There isn’t important - it’s all about the journey.