"Knowledge is Power" - What does that mean to you?  To me it means that the more you know (i.e., the better educated you are) the more choices you have in life.  The more you know about the world (history, languages, sociology, psychology, geography) and the way it works (math and the sciences, politics, economics) the better prepared you will be to live a life that is both fulfilling and productive. I also believe that better educated students also make for a better educated and more productive workforce.

My name is Michael Hatfield and I am a high school math teacher at a lower income area of Randolph County in North Carolina. While I am quite aware that our school district is not the only one with students who may never get the chance for the higher education they deserve due to financial issues, I cannot (yet) help every student.  Our goal is to try to make the promise of getting a higher education reachable for at least one student each year for the next ten years by giving a $1000 scholarship to a deserving high school senior planning to attend a 2- or 4-year college.

To raise awareness for our cause and to help secure donations, I am participating in the inaugural Trans-Am Bike Race. This race is 4,233 miles across the United States all while 'roughing it' (riding solo, camping at night, no outside help once the race starts). We are seeking donations for the scholarships ranging from $5 (the price of a specialty coffee or two energy drinks) up to whatever you desire.  A donation of $42 would equate to one penny for every mile ridden.

In addition, we are seeking sponsors for equipment, supplies, and other expenses for the ride itself.  CorioVelo (out of Texas) has graciously helped in securing a very strong touring bike and some of the basic equipment I will need as well as coaching and training for the long hours on the bike. However there is still the need for transportation costs to Oregon, other necessary equipment, and supplies.

In return for your sponsorship we can promote your business leading up to and during the ride across the United States, display your logo on my clothing (cycling jersey / t-shirts) or as decals on the bike’s saddle bags. The ride will require satellite tracking via a GPS and regular call-ins to provide the public with voice updates on our position and our ride.  Sponsors will be mentioned on the air during these call-ins as well.

For more information on our fundraiser please visit

http://www.gofundme.com/rideforeducation

For more information on the Trans-Am Bike Race visit

http://www.transambikerace.com

To follow our journey online please ‘like’ our page on Facebook. 
 http://www.facebook.com/rideforeducation

To order a T-Shirt to help cover the costs of the race itself visit

http://www.booster.com/ride-for-education

Sincerely, Michael Hatfield

The first day of the rest of MY life...

Yes, I know it's a cliche, but it is also true. Every day is the first day of the rest of your life and it is up to you how you choose to spend it.  As for me, I want to get healthy and stay healthy in order to spend more quality time with my family. I want to see the world and its people. I want to actually LIVE the rest of my life and not just see it pass me by.  This blog is about my new adventures and how I choose to live my life. I will post about my diet, workouts, bike rides, and anything else I feel will help others to reach their goals as well.

Here is a short summary this far:  4 years ago at the age of 44 I started back to college, 3 years ago I bought a cheap bike to get into shape. I weight 375 pounds (see the picture below from 2009). Over the past 3 years I have become an avid cyclist and have lost 115 pounds.  I have 75 more to go.

Feel free to just follow along but I could really use the positive comments as moral support. We all know getting into shape and staying that way is not easy. I try to focus on the healthy foods I now eat instead of dwelling on the unhealthy foods I used to crave but I still have bad days.  I plan to post on this blog everything I eat and do (workouts).  This will give me a record to look back on (to see where things might be going wrong or when I reach my goal) and it will help hold me accountable to both myself and others.

You might be asking..."If you've done well for the last three years, why start a blog now?"  Well, there are really three reasons for that.  First, I've kinda been stuck at the 260-265 mark for a while now.  My clothes are baggier and my cycling jerseys are not as tight, but the numbers are not changing. Second, I am training to race in the first annual Trans-Am Bike Race.  Over four thousand miles with no outside support. Third, and most important, I want to help others. I cannot begin to explain how my cycling has positively influenced my life. I have meet so many awesome people and been to places I would never have seen otherwise.

So...having said all that, if you are still with me then lets get started.  Here are a few pictures.

2009 - At about 375 pounds.  I got out of breath just walking on the trails at the Environmental Park.                 

2010 - Roughly 350pounds at this point.  Polar Bear ride from Cycle's de Oro - My first real organized ride.  Note the tennis shoes, jeans, cooler strapped to the back, etc.  But I rode 25 miles that day.

2011 -  About 275 pounds.  Here I am climbing Hanging Rock during the 3 Mountain Madness ride.  I had to stop a few times going up but made it to the top. I did not even try the other two mountains that day.

2012 - Currently at 265 pounds in this picture.  This years 3 Mountain Madness. Not only did I climb Hanging Rock without stopping but I did Sauratown (non-stop) and about half of Pilot Mountain.  Much better than last year.

So there it is.  My introduction to you.  Please leave me feedback when you can and don't forget to check out my sponsor and trainer CorioVelo at http://www.coriovelo.com