The Length of Japan on Bike: Arigato

A special thank you to all of PedalforJapan's Supporters by none other than Second Harvest Japan's Executive Director: Charles McJilton:

Keep supporting!

No one in this life can do anything of any real value without the help of those who surround him/her. One person can do a lot, but it is nothing compared to what a group of people can do. We are social creatures, we long to live together and gain acceptance from each other, and if you look deep enough, you will notice that we actually work as a unit after all. But I digress. I find it essential for me to thank everyone who had a hand in this challenge, so here it goes.

FAMILY

MY PARENTS: I cannot thank anyone more than my parents, Luigi and Leona. They gave me life, taught me everything that I know, and let me live my life the way I wanted without ever judging me but always supporting and guiding me. One cannot ask more from a mother and a father. They also gave me the all-too-valuable cash to buy my bike! Words can't really describe how much they have done for me, nor how much I love them...so I won't try. They already know, and I do as well. Vi voglio tanto tanto bene. Grazie per tutto quello che mi avete dato mamma e papa'. Siete il massimo!
MY FAMILY: My nonno, my zia Anna, uncle Dave, my zia Mirella & uncle Clive, my Aunt Louise, my cousins Nunu, Nini, Joseph, Alberto, Heather, and Derek Thomas! A special thank you to my brother Marco for always helping me out getting ready for the trip and listening to my frustrations. Also, a thank you to my dog Max who always managed to knock everything to the floor when I was trying to build my bike. Thank you all for either supporting me financially, supporting me in other ways, or both! I love you all!!! Vi voglio tanto bene e son fiero di avere una famiglia come la mia!

FRIENDS

I have to thank my brother-from-another-mother Ettore all the way in Italy for supporting me via the internets in any way he could. Grazie frater. La prossima la facciamo insieme, promesso!
I also have to thank my Nepalese bro Sumit for always supporting me as well as for organizing an awesome farewell-party for me! Dhandyabad!
I also have to thank a couple of friends who unexpectedly supported me financially. I could not believe their kindness, but I quickly ripped the checks out of their hardworking hands and ran away like a thief with them. In all seriousness, you really didn't have to, but thank you for the amazingly kind and unexpected gesture Gunbold Ligden, Jenny Medina, and especially Sergio Lacios and Cheryl So! You guys are the definition of generous.
I also have to thank all my facebook friends who I have hassled and bothered to post and advertise my challenge for me! I know you didn't have to do anything, but I am happy that you have. I am grateful for the sign of friendship you have given me. I won't forget!! Thank you guys!!
All my co-workers Freddie, Valerie, Sharon, Julie, Lynn, Luna, Amy and Ranjieve (when he actually shows up for work). Thank you all for supporting my cause either financially or with kind words. You are the first people I told about the idea, and if you all didn't push me to go, I might not have gone to begin with! Thank you for making my days at work awesome! I see you when I get back!

SPONSORS

Visit these kind people for all your pet needs at: www.redbarn1.com

RED BARN: A massive thank you has to go to all of Red Barn. Red Barn is an animal feeding store that has decided, out of the kindness of their hearts, to sponsor my endeavor. They have purchased a Photon 4G smartphone for me along with unlimited international internet and phone access. It is thanks to them that I can make this site possible once I am in Japan. A big thank you and hug to Trina, Mario, Jeff, Beck and the rest of Red Barn!! You have given me hope to go and the backing that I needed to make it into a reality. Your kind gesture has shown me that there truly are good people in this world. The generosity of a stranger is something that leaves one in awe. I am still left without words. From the bottom of my heart, thank you guys so much!!!! As soon as I strike it rich and have a bunch of horses and other animals, guess where I'm going to buy all their food at? =)

Visit ISM at: www.ismseat.com

ISM: ISM is a bicycle saddle manufacturer. It has sold me my super comfortable Adamo Typhoon saddle for 50% off, virtually at no profit, if not, at a cost to them. Thank you guys for your act of generosity. The saddle rocks my socks and my perineum is intact! You save the family jewels! Thank you!!!

BIKE SHOPS

If your need involves a bike, Jim's the man to talk to. Find him at: www.jims-bikes.com

JIM'S BICYCLES: Jim has helped me not only by getting me the bike for the cheapest price in town, but also by helping me put it together with all the extra pieces it needs for touring. He has also taught me the basics of bicycle-repair, the essential expertise I will need once I am out there alone in the open. A big thank you also to JT and Richard for always dealing with me and my rookie questions such as "Where do the flats go?" and replying "...The garbage". Jim is a kind-hearted generous and giving man with an awesome bike shop. If you're reading this Jim, you are the man!!! Thank you for everything.

BICYCLE GENERATION: Jeremy, who works here, has helped me out with getting a lot of the right parts that I needed. He also managed to get the boss to get me a 20% off discount on everything which definitely helped my already hurting wallet. Thanks for everything buddy!! I owe you a drink!

CS/ KIND STRANGERS

There are a lot of people who have accepted my request on couchsurfing.com. Others who have randomly met me through Facebook friends or the site have also offered me a roof over my head. I will post each and every single one of you as soon as I make it to your houses!! You are a prime example of how awesome it is to be open-minded and friendly. You are all awesome!!!

Tom Wisdom of Sapporo
Keiko Kitahara of Sagamihara
Maggie Gordon of Chigasaki
A SPECIAL THANKS to Natalie McConnell of Fujinomiya

Grazie to a kind old shoe repair man who put on the Velcro I needed for my solar-chargers for free. You didn't have to you nice old man from Palermo! I know you don't go on the internet, so I will say this: I will pay you whether you like it or not!! I'm going to wait until you are out to lunch...and BAM, just like that, paid in full, with tip.
Thank you to Kintaro (Tyler McNiven), Josef Nilsen, and many others for helping me with research!
Thank you to Vince and Laura of Channel 5 for doing a story on me. Without you and your team I am sure that reaching the fundraising goal would be impossible!!
Thank you to all of the Japanese people who helped me during my travels. You are so many that I cannot even list you. You are an amazing group of people who will strive on, regardless of the immense challenges mother nature has put on you. I wish all of Japan the best. It is here that I learned about the goodness that is in humanity.

DONORS

Last, but certainly not least, the donors. You guys are the backbone of this endeavor, the creme-de-la-creme, the peanut-butter to my jelly. Without you, well....I'd just be some crazy idiot taking a really long bike ride. So, here's to you, you kind kind fuzzy-wuzzy bundles of love:
(B) = Bottle ($50+ donation) - Now changed to $100+ (the donations made before 9/16 will remain as set previously).
(R) = Request ($100+ donation) - Now changed to $200+ (the donations made before 9/16 will remain as set previously).

JANET YUEN (B)
ALON & SHANTA DHANESSAR (R)
FRANCO D'ADDARIO (R)
SHAWNA NIELSON (B)
AMY PARKER
FREDERIQUE FRAGE (R)
JIM CHIARELLO (B)
ANDRES HINCAPIE
MARCO BARBIERI (R)
ANTHONY LOMANGINO (R) (largest donation!!!)
SERAFINA ACCURSO (R)
BRYAN DAY (R)
TED PIN (R)
ADOIT PRADHAN
CRAIG HOBBS (B)
MARCELLA ACCURSO (B)
FIORELLA ZUCCARELLI VEGHER (B)
SHIVANI SHARMA (B)
ADRIA GRAZIANO (B)
ANNA & DAVE WOLFRAM (B)
STEPHEN JOHNSON
JUDY & PATRICK PATRIARCA
ANNA & DAVE WOLFRAM (B)
VALERIE JOSEPH (B)
KAREN DYE
CHERYL SO (R)
ROZALIA WILLIAMS

Listing everyone that helped me really makes me feel appreciated and loved. I never actually realized how many people cared. Wow...feeling good right now.

Once I get to Cape Sata, I will think of you, with a smile on my face. =)