Wow, what an incredible event! It's hard to describe. After just a couple of nights of restoring sleep, the memory of the oppressive heat and the excruciating saddle soreness had faded. Only the fun, the gratification and the poignancy of it remains. I feel as though I returned from the Ride changed somehow--both proud and humbled by my experience. Proud that I accomplished a feat which, just three short years ago, I would never have dreamed possible. It has given me a confidence and self-worth I haven't felt for a long time. Humbled by the awesome spirit, support, caring and charitableness of the 270 riders and 183 crew members. Through all the challenges of the Ride, these great people never wavered in their resolve and loving support. I am fortunate to have participated alongside such a compassionate and enlightened group of people.
I am also fortunate, and grateful, for the support of friends like you. Your generosity and support has truly been the most awe-inspiring part of this journey. Thanks to you, I was able to raise $3,310 for the nine benefiting agencies, and was inspired to commit to the challenge of the ride for you and those living with HIV. Thank you so much for facilitating this life-changing, life-affirming adventure.
The following is a day-by-day report of this awesome event. It may be a little dry--I'm not the best writer--but it serves as a journal of my four days riding across the beautiful Minnesota countryside and as an official "Thank You" to my supporters.
Opening Ceremonies
We were scheduled to ride out of the Mall of America eastside rotunda at 7:00 A.M., opening ceremonies to begin at 6:30. As a first-time rider, the story of my weight loss surgery had piqued the interest of the media relations coordinator, Shannon. She asked me to arrive by 5:00 A.M. to make myself available to be interviewed by one of the three major network affiliates that would be present. So, my friend, Chris Kane, picked me up at 4:45 A.M. When I arrived at the MOA rotunda, Shannon informed me that she was sorry, but she forgot to call me to let me know she overbooked and no longer needed me. Oh well, better early than late.
Andy Ansell, of Minnesota AIDS Project (MAP), then gave a heart-felt, moving speech of being a role model for others living with HIV. As a 19-year survivor of HIV, Andy is often the first survivor others diagnosed with HIV get to meet. Many people feel their diagnosis is a death sentence and their only question is, "how long?" Andy rides on the Positive Spin Team (HIV+ riders) and is open about his health status to show others there is life after an HIV diagnosis. He also spoke of the courage we all share in taking on this ride and raising money and consciousness for the cause.
Concluding the ceremony was poet Shane Holly with a slick spoken-word performance emphasizing "It Starts With One" as a video was shown illuminating AIDS conditions around the world with its theme "The Power of One." The ceremony concluded with a moment of silence, after which Kari announced "Let's ride!"
The scheduled mileage our first day was 85 miles. If I could make it, it would be the longest single ride I had accomplished to date. What a way to start! It was a beautiful morning as we rode out from the Mall of America. I rode out near the front of the group thinking, "I'll get to meet a lot of riders this way... when they all pass me!"
Pit Stop One - Rosemount, MN (16 miles)
Each pit had a theme and the crew was costumed appropriately. Pit one's theme was "Babies," with baby decorations, costumes and even baby music playing on the boom box--which, quite frankly, was a little irritating to sit and listen to for long. But the crew was super and very helpful, handing out snacks like fruit, granola bars, pretzels and chips, and supplying us with refills of
