Day 3

Today I learned many things, but the most important was the meaning of this bike ride. While we were on the bus on day -1, one of the riders, Amy, said that the ride was for us. I didn't understand this, but now I do. We left as we did on every day at 6:45 for today's 85 mile ride. As I rode between rest area 1 and 2, I began to think of the friend's I had lost. I thought of Richard and his fear of death, the surgery where I held his hand because he was afraid, and the love of his mother. I thought of Wesley and the friendship he created between people, his alienation with his parents and the reunion with them when he died. And I thought about Keith, his sudden death, his kind soul and good heart, and his legacy. I started to cry.

As I entered Oasis 2, someone came up to me and asked how I was doing. I said that I was trying not to cry, and could use a hug. She hugged me, and a wept, shuddering with grief. I whispered to her, "You don't understand. I don't cry." "I've lost many friends too. Sometimes we all need to cry. It's OK."

After three days, our bodies were worn down. The shields we erect to protect ourselves and the walls around us to keep people out crumble. We can grieve, mourn, remember and find comfort in those who have experienced similar losses.

That is what this ride is about.

When I got on my bike today, I experienced a new level of pain from my knee. As it loosened up, I rode more comfortably. The medical team had wrapped it for me, but I needed more. I discovered Bengay.

The ride today went from Clinton, New Jersey to Manhattan. The ride had several good climbs, and lots of nice down hills. I rode with Alan again. As we entered the next to last rest area, Alan wondered whether we should hop on the van. His legs hurt, my knee hurt, and maybe 70 miles was enough. I wanted to go on. There was one huge climb at the end of the ride which gave us great views of Manhattan. We stopped and had a photo op. We then went down to the ferry which took us across the Hudson. A police escort cleared traffic so the 120 riders could join the closing ceremonies. A check for $300,000+ was presented to the Center for its HIV/AIDS programs.

I saw my friend from Oasis 2 there. During the moment of silence she hugged me and I cried again, tears of loss rolling down my face.

The ride was a great experience. The bike techs took care of us, fixing a bent derailure on my bike and making sure the bikes were safe. The crew fed us, kept us hydrated, attended to our medical needs, stopped traffic at dangerous intersections, and cheered us on up when we climbed the steep hills.

Dimitria, Francesco and I have already signed up for next year's ride. My partner Champ has signed on with the Crew. Will you join us?

Day 2

First, I want to mention the bike techs that are on the ride. They are fantastic. Yesterday, before the ride, one of the techs adjusted my gears so they weren't scraping. Then, at the end of the ride, as I was entering the hotel, I heard a periodic clanging sound. "Sh!t, I broke a spoke." But none of the spokes seemed broken. This morning, all was fixed. The rear derailure had bent in and was clanging against the spoke. During today's ride, I lost my lowest gear with the same problem, and the techs are once again working on the bike.

The support for the ride is AMAZING. There are always vans and cars with roadside aid (haven't had to use that, knock wood), "sweep" vehicles to take riders between rest stops or to the next rest stop, and sac vehicles for riders that can't do anymore.

My knee acted up most of the day. Still, I averaged 14MPH on very hilly terrain. There were numerous climbs, and without a lower gear, I did have to walk the bike a bit a few times. My riding partner is still Alan, and I am a better climber than he is. Alan enjoys passing me when I am walking the bike. My revenge is to pass him immediately after. I enjoy riding with Alan. We're starting to exchange dessert recipes.

The ride was 112 miles today. Alan and I did 90. His neck and my knee plus time constraints, well, we decided we had had enough. Francesco's knee is also bad, so he came back with us. Ya, we feel bad that we didn't do the whole ride, but we have another 80 miles tomorrow, and it was for the best.

Today's route took us through Lancaster, into Montgomery, Berks and Buck's counties in PA. After the second rest stop began the climbs. Two big ones, like a roller coaster. As soon as you came down off of one, another started. After lunch was another huge climb and a steep descent into the Schulkill river valley. After crossing the river, the climb out went on forever. Up, a bit down, more up, a bit down, more up. It was fun, but with a bad knee and no lower gear, it was a bit of a challenge. When we pulled into rest stop 5, we were told it was closing. We needed to get back on the road if we wanted to have time to complete. Without food, I began to zonk -- the second time today. Luckily I had a candybar, and Alan and I split it. Francesco caught up to us and we decided this next rest stop would be our last.

Many of the rest stops are held in parks, and the scenery is very beautiful This is a wonderful ride.

Today, I spoke to another rider about the two men she is riding in memory of. One was a roommater, the other her best friend. One man talked about losing his brother, he and his mother hugging his dying brother as he took his last breath.

I've decided to do the ride again next year. I hope there is a Team Google to ride with.

More tomorrow...

Day 1

Braking the Cycle is underway. Francesco, Chris, Dim and I bussed from Manhattan to Gettysburg yesterday. The bus ride was fun. We met some of our fellow riders and watched The Truman Show.

In Gettysburg, we had to sit through the safety presentation, and the orientation. They memorialized all the people rider's had dedicated the event to, including Keith Smith, Wesley Light and Richard Lewis. Finally we had to deal with confirming our donations ($3500/rider), dealing with medical waivers, and checking our bikes. Frank and I stayed at the Wyndham and Dim and Chris stayed at the Holiday Inn Express. We needed to be out of the hotel at 5:30 AM.

Arriving this morning, breakfast started at 6AM. At 7 was welcoming ceremonies. They asked riders to shout out names of people they knew who had been taken by HIV/AIDS. I shouted Keith Smith. Throughout the ride I told people about what a wonderful person Keith was and all he had accomplished.

Today's ride was 95 miles. I have to admit to being an impatient biker. Chris and I started out together, but eventually I had to break away. Eventually I caught up to another rider who was about my speed. We ended up biking the entire route together. Alan lives in Manhattan and has a partner in Princeton.

The ride is very well organized. There are rest stops about every 10 or 15 miles, and they make sure everyone is well hydrated (aka, that we pee a lot). There are crews that make sure dangerous intersections have people to guide the riders. There are medical teams at every rest stop if someone is hurt. And, if you get into trouble, there are vans to take you to the next rest stop or help with road-side bike repairs.

The route started by looping around Gettysburg, travel through Adams to York counties, then into Lancaster. There were two big climbs, the longest about 1.2 miles and the second a bit shorter.

Alan and I averaged 15 miles per hour. Dim and Christine did about 14 miles per hour. Francesco didn't have a bike computer, but suffered a knee injury and had to shuttle the last few miles of the ride.

More tomorrow.

catching up

It's been a month since the last post. Since then, training has gone great. Scott is doing 20 miles a day and has no fears about the ride. I'll let the others post about their training.

Our big fear now is fund raising. We've really lagged in this area. I sent out an email to my friends, and contributions are trickling in. I want to make my goal by the end of the week. I'll let you know how that goes.

Tomorrow I'll post about the second person whose memory I am biking in.