Work in progress

This is what i have thus far, keep in mind, this is a rough draft.

Hello, my name is Aaron Nielson and i am on a mission to make a better future. I am 20 years old and working as a bicycle rickshaw driver in downtown Portland. 3 months ago I went on vacation back to my hometown of Logan, Utah. My best friend (an Iraq veteran) whom also moved up with me, went to Logan as well. When it came time for us to go home, he had a crazy idea. He wanted to ride his bike all the way back to Portland and he wanted me to go with him. We decided not to go straight home rather we decided to head southwest all the way to San Fransisco, then to ride up the coast. The total ride was 1500 miles. Zane and I rode the first 750 miles together, then because of personal reasons Zane decided he wanted to head on alone. I finished the ride. The reason i went for the ride was many fold, I did it so my friend didn't have to go alone, I did it to test myself, to see if i could actually succeed, but most importantly (for this paper anyway) I did it to see if I could change peoples outlook on riding bikes.
We live in a time where pollution, obesity/poor health and economics are all becoming very important factors of our future. Bicycling Is amazing as a remedy to all of these problems. Our local government is doing a great job of making biking safe on our roads and many colleges are taking steps to get students biking this year but i want to take it farther myself. My trip and even my job are important because they make me into a potential role model. I want to give a message to as many students as i can. We can make a difference with the choices we make. And if you choose to ride a bike, for fun as well as commerce, then you are making a decsision for a better future. I've asked you to read this paper because i want your help, I need your help, to help people make a better decision with their lives.
My ride across the country taught me a lot about myself, mostly that if i put my mind to something i can succeed. The trip was fun. I have a lot of great pictures and i met some really great people. I think I could entertain with the tale, but more importantly i think i could give a message worth consideration. Going for a ride that long, a lot of what you are taught in school becomes immediately important, such as stretching and eating proper foods. I want to use my extraordinary journey to promote better health, not just bicycling. I also want to give students hope that their goals are achievable no matter how difficult they seem at first.
You must be the judge, I can only hope for change if i am given a chance. You must decide If you want me to talk to your students. I'm not doing this for money. Mostly I am doing to see if i can, to see if one person can make a difference. I don't have much, but i intend to use what i have to do what i can. I can always ride a bike and i can try to get others to do the same. Not much of a difference maybe, but maybe its all the difference we need to make the world into a better place. The more support i get, the more schools i speak to, the more likely i am to make a difference.

Included with this paper is a pamphlet and a example presentation. The pamphlet is what i carried with me when i took the ride. I'd like a chance to revise it, I only had a week and a half to create it. I'd like to include your school's logo and then I'd like to give it to your students to take home.

primer

The major problem I've had with this whole project, is how much I've left out of it. I didn't really feel able to describe all the wonderful people I've met on the road. I tried to tell the most interesting things that happened, but I left some things out because the subject matter was questionable. But i think the discretion was reasonable considering my goals. In fact a lot of what i have written will cause problems if it gets too much attention. I want to act as a role model to those who i can convince to take up a bike alongside me. But i am a young man and i am prone to ill decisions. The economy has taken an ill turn and it makes me wonder if i should move forward. But honestly maybe that's the surest sign that i should. I have finally finished my paper as i think I want to present it to school principles. All that is left is to pass it around to my friends and family so that they can edit it ( I have the good fortune of having several college educated friends) Idk If you'll read this, but i want to give a shout out to Jared and Sierra, staying with you in Sac was probably the best part of the whole adventure. Just to get a window into such a great family was fucking awesome. I'll try to call you soon.

Bad timing

Sorry it took me so long to write again, I've been enjoying my time at home. I jumped right onto the rickshaw and started making money again. Its nice to be back where things are familiar. Now that I have rent money I've been pondering just what to do about my situation. I pondered while i was relaxing in the redwood forest (such an amazing place i don't think words can do it justice) I sat down an tried to write a paper that i was planning to present to schools/classrooms. After thinking it through i decided that it would work out a lot better if i waited until i was home. being on the road changes you, it gives you a bit of a desperation. I didn't think it was right to approach a school in such a manner. Now that I've gotten myself straightened out i think it a more appropriate time to try. A problem I've had is asking myself why? why do i want to go to schools and talk to students about the importance of riding their bikes? I'll probably ask for donations, but money is not the reason, damn money it gets you into a lot more trouble than whats its worth. Fame? that's one that my brother brings up that makes me lol. I don't want fame honestly, but at the same time i do, if i can do good things with it. I have an interesting story, and i live an interesting life. If i can act as a role model, if I am taken seriously then i may be able to change the views of a few people. That's what really matters, as for the why am i doing it?: I think i am doing it for the same reason I started this ride in the first place, to see if i can.