Closing Ceremony: The End and the Beginning

Victory! 420 Miles later, our bikes were raised above our heads in honor of each mile we rode and each step closer we all were to understanding the true power of being kind. While this was the end of the ride, for many of us, it was just the beginning. Fueled by good spirit and joy we were all given the strength and courage to do what we never thought possible, and the faith that we can make a difference.

Day 5: 48 Miles

Traveling along the coastline of Maine was just another day at the beach with the warmth of sun on an 85 degree day. With less than 50 miles to go, there was plenty of time for some extra rest and a Maine-style Lobster dinner.

Day 4: 89 Miles

There are just some things you will never see unless you are up with the sun. Morning fog rising over a New Hampshire lake commenced our journey into Maine.

Day 3: 78 Miles

Lunch stops, stratigically placed at about the 60 mile mark kept us going strong for the rest of the day. Riders soaked tired legs in the icy cold water of this New Hampshire lake.

Bikes and Riders

Everyday was a celebration. Bikes and bodies were decorated with costumes, beads, stickers and in this case...a co-pilot.

Day Two: 104 Miles

The steep climbs through the green mountains of Vermont brought a wonderful variety of sights and scents. Mountain mist, wildflowers, morning dew...and COW.

Day One 109 Miles

The journey across the Canadian border into Vermont had us zipping past endless cornfields, pastures and a big blue sky filled with cumulus clouds and Monarch butterflies.

The Canada Ride

Just to fill everyone one in on how amazing the Canada AIDS Ride was, I'm going to be recreating the experience [through writing and photographs] from the first ride I did from Montreal to Maine.

On September 5th-10th 2001, 1800 riders gathered together from all over the country to ride to raise funds for Aids
Vaccine Research. Above and beyond that specific goal, the underlying cause was a journey for human kindness. The Five days we spent together were an example of what most people wish the world could be. We saw beyond the limits we have placed on ourselves, and the limits we have placed on the world. Words cannot describe the inspiration, support and genuine caring expressed by all riders and crew to one another, and the true magic of being kind.

We began our ride just before the crack of dawn on a chilly morning at the Olympic Park in Montreal. Opening ceremonies filled us with inspiration and adrenaline. A police escort led out of the of the city to a panoramic view of Lake Champlain.

545 in 5

My AIDS Lifecylce Tshirt arrived in the mail today and it reminded me that it's time to officially annouce to the world that next June I will be riding 545 miles in 5 days from San Francisco to Los Angeles to help support people who have or are at risk of AIDS. I recently read an article in the nytimes that found a link between AIDS drugs and leprosy.

The article states: "With affordable AIDS drugs arriving in many poor countries, experts say a startling and worrisome side effect has emerged: in some patients, the treatment uncovers a hidden leprosy infection." and "And in the third world, where 300,000 new cases of leprosy were discovered last year and where 38 million are infected with the AIDS virus, the problem will inevitably get worse, experts say."

AIDS is a cause that needs immediate attention and I am thrilled to be a part of another ride.

In September of 2001 I rode from Montreal to Maine for the same cause and it was one of the most memorable and gratifying experiences of my life.

I have been training everyday at 6am and am combining spin classes, mountain biking on trails, running, swimming and yoga as part of my training routine.

If you are interested in making a donation, be the first one and click here

Happy November!

I finally launched a new blog. I feel like it needs more finishing touches before I announce it to the world. In the meantime, here is a nice photo of my mother and my grandmother.

My grandmother somehow always looked like a grandmother even at the age of 40. Around that same age, my greatgrandmother had a powder blue formal dress in her closet that she would show you and in Italian say 'this is the dress I want to be buried in'.

She lived to be 96 years old puttering in her garden and grape arbour until the day she died.

My grandmother is in her 80's right now and although she has that same strength to follow suit, she's starting not to believe.