2011 is quickly coming to a close, and as always, it can end on a very positive note thanks to THE POLAR PLUNGE FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS.

This year, I have volunteered to help emcee the event for Special Olympics Alaska AND jump in the frigid waters of Goose Lake...because there's nothing quite as relaxing after work as taking a nice swim (my 3rd polar plunge).  So, I hope you can come out on December 17th and show your support for all of the plungers, many who will be in outrageous costumes.  Last year, I was joined by my fellow Total Traffic reporters and we were the Blues Brothers.

And as always, the most important thing about the event is raising money to support those inspiring Special Olympics Athletes.  There are two ways you can help:

• Click on my Polar Plunge Page and make a donation there.  I'd also be very thankful if you would SHARE the page link with your friends via Facebook, Twitter, and emails .
•  Become a Polar Plunger yourself by going to www.specialolympicsalaska.org.  It's easy to do. There's no registration fee.  You just have to earn a minimum of $100 in donations.  Plus, there are great prizes for fundraising goals that you achieve.

So come on in!  The water's fine!  Join us and start Freezin' For A Reason.  Get your goose bumps at Goose Lake and wrap up your year helping a great cause--Special Olympics Alaska!  ~Brian

Wow!  What a busy month September has been so far.  I've been to the State Fair for Walgreen's Wellness Day, and I've been out on the road for Bike MS, raising money to help cure multiple sclerosis.

UPDATE 9/17:  I also just finished emceeing at WALK FOR LUPUS NOW.

AND I TOOK PICTURES!  Check out my new photo albums.

Here is the album for Walk For Lupus Now.  Family fun for a great cause.  Lupus affects approximately 3000 Alaskans.

And here's the album for the 135 mile journey of BIKE MS which I completed with Team I.T.Y. on September 10th and 11th.

Thanks for all of your support!  Donations will still be accepted for awhile at www.BrianBikes.com.  Click on the Blue Biker next to Bike MS!

 ~Brian

I'm getting ready for BIKE MS, the last and longest charity bike ride of the season.  This year, it's on the weekend of September 11th, and it's going to be extra challenging because day one alone has a 110 mile course!  110 miles in one day??  I've never done that before, but I will do my best.

Earlier this week, I did almost 50 miles after work.  So says my trusty odometer.

I went from Dimond Center to Kincaid Park, Point Woronzof, and down the Coastal Trail to Downtown. Then I took the Ship Creek Trail (and got POUNDED by heavy rain!) to Mountain View and rode all the way out to the Fort Richardson gates before turning around and heading back to the DC. 

A complete circle back to Dimond Center was about 44.5 miles on my meter, then I went home.  But while out in Kincaid Park, I did stop to see some of the local residents...

6 MOOSE!!  In one ride.  Look at those antlers--their YUUUGE!!  And believe it or not, that's NOT the most I've seen in a day biking through Kincaid.  I love this city!

Please help to find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis.  Make a donation to sponsor me and my biking team, Team I.T.Y. at www.BrianBikes.com (click on the Blue Biker).  You can also find out why we call it Team I.T.Y..

Thanks!

~Brian

I RODE FOR LIFE!!

I successfully biked a windy, rainy, and hilly Seward Highway from Anchorage to Seward...and with the help of several generous sponsors, raised $735 for RIDE FOR LIFE ALASKA by the start of ride day on Saturday (7/23). 

And I took along photos of my Mom and Dad.  Mom passed away in November of 2001 from lung and bone cancer.  Dad is a prostate cancer survivor.  On the left in the white placard you can see a lock of my Mom's hair.  These were with me every mile, just as the memory of my Mom is with me always.

If cancer has affected your life and you want to help prevent it from affecting others, there is still time to give to Ride For Life Alaska.  The donation link will be active for several more days.

Now I must get trained up for BIKE MS in September, which I ride to help find a cure for multiple sclerosis...specifically to cure my friend MISTY, who was diagnosed only a couple of years ago.

To donate to my biking team, to learn more about multiple sclerosis, and to discover WHY WE ARE CALLED "TEAM I.T.Y.," please click the link, or the BLUE BIKER in the corner of this page to go to BrianBikes.com.

Thanks for loggin' where I'm bloggin'.

-Brian

Donations have been rolling in!  Dave Morris, a friend on Facebook who shares a similar background to mine when it comes to cancer, has even donated $250 to sponsor me in Ride for Life Alaska!  Also, my friend and co-worker Misty has recieved a $200 donation sponsoring me in Bike MS!

THANK YOU for your generous support.  It makes the sore legs worth it.

Next

week is bib pick-up/donation turn-in time, and then on July 23/24 is Ride For Life.  Please click the BLUE BIKER on the left and you will find my BrianBikes.com page.  There you can choose which of these rides you want to support with an online gift.

Nothing raises my spirits more than when people come together for a good cause because they just want to help.  Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

FITNESS IN THE PARK--WITH KITES

We had perfect July weather for this Fitness In The Park, where I got to cover for the vacationing April.  While we excercised with the fitness pros of The Alaska Club (for free), a kite club came by and began setting up kites of all shapes and sizes.  They were still sending them aloft as we packed up.

Click Here for photos of Fitness In The Park and Kites

Plus, we gave away a 4-pack of tickets to see Sesame Street Live, and a one month pass to The Alaska Club.  The kids had fun too with seperate fitness games while the grown-ups enjoyed their light cross-training workout. 

Hopefully, we'll have perfect weather and more kites above next week.  Fitness In The Park is every Wednesday at lunchtime from 12:15 to 1:15pm at 9th and I Street, with The Alaska Club and Magic 98.9.