The World Won't Change Me

Friday I got word that the MATH group I was to be a part of will not travel to Haiti on February 21. The email I received simply read:  

Today, the MATH Executive Committee voted unanimously  to cancel the upcoming Medical Mission trip to PAP.  With the high level of volatility that is surrounding the political situation, as well as the current food crisis, everyone felt that this is the prudent decision.  The safety of our volunteers has to be the first priority.

I can not begin to understand the complexities of the political situation, but I did find the following link helpful  Crisis in Haiti. After my initial disappointment, and doing a little more reading, I came to realize that it was the best decision for the Executive Committee to make. And in my gut, I felt that if they had to wait and watch the situation so closely so that the final decision was made one week prior to departure, that it was best to postpone until the situation becomes a little more stable.

As an American, it is so far removed from something I can understand, that it pains me. My heart goes out to those that have to live and try to survive in situations such as this. Add to the political unrest a food crisis (read about that here: Food Crisis ), and it takes the situation to another level.

This world we live in, somehow challenges me to remain unchanged. And by unchanged, I don't mean that I won't grow, and evolve. I just mean that it challenges me to keep my heart intact. It forces me to be strong and say to myself, that I am still going to look for the good in people, and in situations, and that I believe in the end love does win. Love. Does. Win. Sometimes this world slaps my in the face and says, wake up you fool, you can't change things. Well, maybe not. Me going to Haiti and working in the clinic with a hand held iSTAT instrument that can do a few chemistry tests, or toting down a microscope and vortex machine, won't elect them a new president, and it won't solve the food crisis. But, it might have picked up on one person with diabetes, or it may have offered them a way to do white cell differentials, and helped in diagnosing blood disorders. If it only helped one person, it would have been worth it.

I saw this while sitting in my nice warm house today. Had to share it on facebook. It sums up how how I feel right now. That I need to muster up some strength and keep my head telling my heart, that somehow, someway, someday, the love for humanity will supercede the love for greed, money, and power.

Until such time as it is safe to go to Haiti, I will continue my fundraising for the Angel Ride, which supports The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp Hospital Outreach Program. Why? Because it is something I can do. Because it can bring a smile to the face of a child who is facing a serious illness, and because, it helps me believe in something good. And besides that, riding a bike 135 miles is really no big deal. (hahaha... I lied.... it IS a big deal... have you ever seen the hills in Ellington? Lord have Mercy!...)

If  you want to donate, here is the link. It feels good, and it just might let this difficult world know that it won't change you as well.

Angel Ride 2016

 (just click on the blue button that says DONATE) Secure, simple, fast, easy, and oh so very much appreciated.)

Why Live in a Comfort Zone?

I have spoken before about how far out of my comfort zone I was when I started riding. Never in a million years did I think that I would ever be comfortable heading out on a 100 or 135 mile ride, or that I would ever be able to go down the road on even a 25 mile ride by myself. Those 100 and yes, even the 135 mile rides  now seem like they are my comfort zone. And riding by myself on the road, well, maybe doing 30 or 40 miles by myself is okay, but anything more than that and I crave some company. Not that I couldn't do it, only that it would be better to be doing it with someone other than my 'bad self'.

When I began, even friends and family responded in a negative way. My best friend actually said it out loud, "You can't do that!".   We both found out that I could. Several responded with  "why would you want to do that?" Did they mean why would I want to raise money to help people, or why would I want to ride my bike 100 miles? I wasn't sure, so my response was, "I can't believe you don't want to do it", or an even slightly more passive aggressive response, "why wouldn't I want to do this, why wouldn't I want to help people while learning bike skills and improving my fitness?" I love answering a question with a question.

Five years later, I still do my charity rides, I still raise money. The fundraising is a bit harder, because year after year I am going back to the same people with my hand out, but it is still doable. The riding is easier because my body is used to it, and I am still as stubborn as ever, and I have a new awesome bike. What once was leaps and bounds outside of my comfort zone,  is now my comfort zone.

Currently,  the opportunity has arisen for me to step out of that comfort zone once again. I saw a  note on the bulletin board at work regarding the group MATH (Medical Aid to Haiti), they needed a medical technologist to accompany them on the February mission trip. I responded. After some back and forth chatter, I was accepted to go on the trip. On Feb 21 I will be leaving JFK for a trip to Port Au Prince, Haiti, to work for a week in a small lab, assist, teach, and share experience. This is a giant step, no, scratch that, two or three giant steps outside of my comfort zone.

My immediate supervisor was on board. My manager was on board. The response I got from our COO astounded me and took me right back to the way friends and family reacted the first time I told them I was going to ride my bike 100 miles and raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  "Ew, why would you want to go there?" was her comment. My immediate response, was the one I always fell back on, and in my passive aggressive way of answering a question with a question, I came out with it.... "why wouldn't I want to go there, why wouldn't I want to go and help people that are in need of my education and experience, (my many, many years or experience)"?  I almost threw in the "I can't believe  you don't want to go help too", but figured I needed to keep my job and I kept my mouth shut.

As the date gets closer, I have had the shots needed, gotten the anti-malarial drug to take, got the anti-diarrhea kit, bug spray, sunscreen, and am collecting some medical supplies to take along, and hoping to get my lab to donate a microscope which is needed so desperately by the lab in Haiti, I have pushed to the back burner how far outside of my comfort zone this really is. I sleep in a warm bed, eat 3 squares a day, don't worry about my tap water, and luxuries of all luxuries, I have an indoor bathroom and shower with hot water. Being unsure of what to expect of our accommodations in Haiti I asked. We do have a bathroom in the mission house, flush sparingly. We do have a shower, cold water only. We will have bottled water, beer, soda and wine available. Brush your teeth with bottled water, and stand with your back to the shower head.. ie don't let the water run in your face. The food prepared for us is (should be) safe to eat. And we will have armed guards for transport to and from the clinic area.  I can do this for a week.

Stock photos of  Port Au Prince

Writing this all down, I am again, examining why I want to do this, maybe I need to be able to come up with a better answer than, 'why wouldn't I'.  The plain and simple answer is, because I can. Because I can help someone who needs it. Perhaps not financially, but in experience. I know it will be life changing for me, but that is not the reason for going. I already  have a great appreciation for how truly blessed I have been in this life, and how much I already have. I am very, very grateful every single day for the gifts of health, my family, basic necessities.  I don't need to see people suffering to remember that gratitude.  It is not about me winning any prize, or getting 'attta girl', pats on the back, or anything like that, I get enough of those from family, friends, and co-workers, and even  myself! It is just about helping. Extending a hand, to help someone else. Plain and simple. Doing something that money can't buy. Teaching, sharing, seeing how people who have so little still go forward, holding their heads high, and living proudly. I know I could have spent the same amount of money out of my limited discretionary income to go someplace nice and enjoy myself, but my life isn't always about me. It is about giving. It is about what I can give.  And we all know what they say about giving... "For it is in giving, that we receive".

The colors of their world

For now, my blog might be more about Haiti than my bike. I hope you don't mind. I hope to get some pictures (although they are a proud people and the last thing I want to do is exploit their poverty, or have it appear that I am). I hope, after my return, that I find what I actually think is outside of my comfort zone, really is my comfort zone.

Yes, my husband really thinks I am going to Tahiti. :)
Peace and Tailwinds,
Karen

Every girl remembers her first time...

I bought my Cannondale in Nov of 2009, and that first ride (on the road) happened on the Saturday after Thanksgiving of that year. Every year since then, I have what I call my "Anniversary Ride", where I try to ride with the guys that got me started, at least one of them, or a group, or in the case of this year, just me.

Doing my Anniversay Ride this year solo (or with my 'Bad Self') as I like to call it, gave me some nice quiet time to really think about where I started with cycling and where I am now. 

November, 2009. I bought the bike. I got it home, okay now what the heck do I do? While pondering that question (yes, I bought the bike, but I never rode it before the purchase!), a flyer from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society arrived in the mail outlining all the events they were offering for Spring of 2010. So, off I went and signed up for a 100 mile bike ride around Lake Tahoe (still never having ridden the bike). I figured if I made a commitment to this it would be one way to get on this bike. While at the meeting I met a guy named Bill, and we kept in contact and he invited me to ride with himself and a guy named Keith that Saturday.

In the days leading up to the ride, a few things popped into my brain. One, here I was going off with two men I really didn't know, and two, the age old dilemma of all women everywhere, I have nothing to wear. Having nothing to wear was serious, I had no bike clothing. I did have a pair of knickers that were okay for spinning, so I figured they would do. But, I had no jacket, so I headed off to a local bike shop that shall remain nameless (NOT NEWINGTON BIKE). Once there a bunch of guys at the counter barely looked up when I walked into the shop. So I stood there. When one finally looked up, and asked if he could help me, I told him I was looking for a jacket. He promptly told me, "We don't have anything that will fit (throat clearing) you".  I half thought he probably said 'a fat chick like you' when he was clearing his throat. Okay, showed up for the ride wearing my spinning knickers, a T shirt, a sweatshirt and a red women's final four windbreaker and weightlifting gloves. Oh yeah, and weightlifting gloves from my days of being a gym rat. And best of all... sneakers. I did not feel confident at all in trying clipless pedals and shoes. See photo below... I was really set up for cycling.  Painful for me to even look at.

November 2009

I was asked by Bill, if I needed to pump my tires. I told him no, they were pumped up at the bike shop when I got the bike. Got instructed very quickly on the value of pumping up ones tires after that statement! I was asked if I had water, no, I didn't, figured I wouldn't need any. I was given water. I had no bag on my bike for an extra tube, heck, I didn't have an extra tube, what would I need an extra tube for?  I was told to get a bag, for a tube, tire levers and some CO2 canisters. My response to that was, "If I keep all that junk in my bag where do I put my granola bar?". Another swift educational moment ensued.

While the guys were busy getting ready I was told to go down the bike path to get used to the bike. I did. For about 1/10 mile I weaved and wavered and then I had to turn around. I could get a tippy toe on the ground and that is how I stopped. I wiggled my way off the seat and turned the bike around and went back to the parking area. All set, windbreaker, weightlifting gloves and sneakers!

We ventured out on the road, I tried dismally to keep up. They guys were gracious and waited. We went down Rt 4, to 179 and followed that through Collinsville. We stopped after about 3 miles for tea. So far so good. We continued on 179 and turned left on Rt 44. I have no memory of making the left hand turn, how I stopped the bike, got off  or anything else. No memory at all. I think I was frozen with fear. We turned on to 44 and I asked how far we had gone (no bike computer at the time). The answer: oh about 10 miles or so. Not bad I thought (but now that I do this ride daily I know it is only about 5 miles from where we started...). We then came to a hill. My first hill. I shifted the wrong way. I had no idea which hand to use, or how to master this shifting thing. My breath sounded like a southbound Amtrak train. I was barely moving up the hill, and I most definitely was going slower than a girl on the other side of the road running up the hill. Keith was gracious enough to stick with me. We headed out to the Barkhamsted Reservoir and the guys were a bit ahead of me when I came to a funny stop sign and not sure of the traffic pattern and not being able to stop well put me in to a panic. I ended up stopping by going across the road and hitting the curb, and got my little tippy toe down in time to not fall over. Good thing I did that instead of going out in front of the 18 wheeler that was coming along.  I stopped to catch my breath and the guys eventually turned around and came back.  I really don't recall much else about the ride, we stopped for tea a second time, and I did make it back to the parking area in one piece. I even kind of enjoyed it. A total of 26 miles on flat pedals.

I figured that it would only get easier from there, and I was right. I made up for a lack of physical ability by being stubborn. I am sure the coaches from Team in Training had bets going that I wouldn't make it. But I did. I learned a lot from the various people I rode with. Jim Clark told me to keep pedaling when he noticed that I had a tendency to pedal, pedal, pedal coast, pedal, pedal, pedal, coast. Jim Kimball took me out one day and we practiced getting my butt off the seat when I stopped instead of relying on that one little tippy toe that could touch the ground. He also taught me how to remove my water bottle and actually drink while on the bike (that was a huge help).  Little by little I could go into a bike shop and find clothing to fit (I am still in the larger sizes, but heck, a gal has to have some curves, right?). One Century ride turned into another and into another. I could go out and ride on the road by myself, even on roads that were new to me. I signed up for a century in Lake George and attempted it by myself, and made it the first 40 miles or so before they closed the course (heavy rain, wind and 40 degrees.. yuk!).  I have taken new riders and helped them to love cycling, I have ridden with people slower, faster, older, younger. I learned how to change a flat (thanks Newington Bike), clean my chain (thanks again, Newington Bike), and most recently, I learned the value of finding the perfect bike (thanks again and again, Newington Bike). And, now, I am an Ambassador to promote women's cycling (even us older, curvier women!). One think to say to that, and you know what that is, THANKS, Newington Bike!!!

I kept riding, the pounds slowly came off. There are plenty more pounds to go, and that is okay. I have plenty more miles to ride, too. And that, is very, very much okay.

Review of the Trek Slique SSL.

I promised a full review of the Trek Silque SSL. And, since I am that type of gal, I am going to give you everything about the bike and what led me to buy the SSL, so it is probably more than you asked for, but here goes nothing.


When I first heard about the Silque, I thought that Trek was on to something. I read reviews, positive and negative. I thought long and hard about why I thought this bike might just be for me, I researched (a lot), read every review I could find and  I decided to wait and see. Thanks goodness I didn't wait too long. What follows is a lay persons research, and why I decided on the SSL model, and what follows beyond that, is  how much I love this bike.
Sorry for such a long read but the bike geeks out there will get it. I am going to outline each of the features of this bike, and why I was researching them ad nauseum, and what they bring to me as a 5'10", 120 lb, elite cyclist.. oh wait, I mean an average, overweight, 60 year old cyclist.


The 600 series carbon:  The 600 series OCLV (Optimum Compaction, Low Void) carbon makes this frame light. The difference in the 600 series carbon and 700 series carbon only shows a slight decrease in areal* weight, while the difference between the 400 series and 600 series is significant. Since Silque models are not offered in a 500 series (which is what I had on my Domani, it only made sense to go up to the 600 series OCLV carbon). What a bike geek I have become! If you don't want or need to know about your carbon, that is fine, but I wanted to make sure I researched it and decided what was right for me, balancing weight, stiffness and price. The 600 series carbon is well worth it. Another aspect of the 600 series carbon is the weight to stiffness ration. Again, from the charts I see that there isn't a whole lot of difference between the 500, 600, and 700 series carbon, but a significant difference between the 400 and 600, again, score one for the 600 series carbon. Another score for the 600 series is in vertical compliance, which translates to rider comfort. The overall frame weight is minimized in this bike by Treks exacting standards in manufacturing, and balancing the need for strength and performance. And this bike is light! So my score card pointed me in the direction  of upgrading the carbon (do I have upgrade-itis?) If you can afford the upgrade in carbon and you spend a lot of time in the saddle, go for it.
What I notice in the ride: smoother thank my 500 series Domani, and much smoother than the 400 series I test rode, this frame makes me more confident on downhills based on the way it handles. I can feel a difference in my cornering, I have learned to lean rather than steer the bike and this frame has taught me that little lesson.  It is very, very responsive, and I am getting better at making those quick maneuvers around pot holes (most days... sometimes I still don't see them soon enough to avoid!)
If you like data, see the charts below, taken from the Trek website (I like data).

Areal weight

stiffness to weight ratio

vertical compliance

*areal weight: The weight of fiber per unit area (width times length) of tape or fabric. Term typically used in the composites industry.

WSD: Women are different than men. Who knew!!!! Thanks Trek for taking that into consideration. But not all women are built alike. I am 5'10 and 120 lbs. Ha! NOT!!!! I am 5'5" and chunky. I am not a flyweight, and I am 60 yrs old. My flexibility isn't what it used to be. I want comfort. I want to be able to fit to the bike, not have to move this, add that, change this to make the bike fit me. I want to be comfortable riding long distances. Would this frame deliver? Does this frame deliver??? Yessireeebub it does. From the test ride I felt like a part of this bike. Oh yeah, we needed to adjust the saddle height, and the for and aft a bit, but other than that, I feel just fine on the bike without an expensive fitting (and I am a HUGE supporter of getting that fitting to dial everything in, but I am not sure I am going to mess with this one!).
What I notice in the ride: I am riding a little more upright, but without feeling like I am sitting too much on the seat. Very comfortable and after 50 miles, I am sad to be getting off the bike, I feel like I could stay on it day in, day out. I am also much more comfortable in the drops and have been using the drops a little more than I used to because of this. I used to feel a little jiggy when I went in the drops and like I didn't have as much control. Now, I can ride in the drops just to change position a little, and going down hill in the drops, I feel much more confident and in control. (I actually exceeded my 40mph record on a familiar downhill recently!)

Isospeed Decoupler and Ride Tuned Seat Mast: These features may go overlooked. I was familiar with them on the Domani, and I know how much smoother the Domani was than my previous bike, so I was looking for these features, and once I knew they were continued in the Silque series, it was looking like this was going to be my bike.
What I notice in the ride: Holy Cow! Smooth as silk! (Hahahaha pun intended). Or, should I say, it is Silque-y Smooth?) Yes, you can feel the road but things just feel smoother, vibrations not so noticeable.

Bontrager RXL Isozone Bar: I thought handle bars were handle bars. Boy, was I wrong! The Silque SSL has one of these Isozone bars on it. (see photo below from the trek website). The bar has integrated isozone pads in the Race X lite carbon bar. These pads are made from a non water absorbing foam, and they are located in the top of the bar and in the drops. There is also a bit of a flare for greater control in the drops.

Isozone bar

What I notice in the ride: Again, Holy Cow!!! Again, Smooth as silk!  Again, pun intended! My hands fatigue much less than on my old bike without this handlebar.  Road vibrations are absorbed. Trek says that these pads reduce vibration displacement by 20% while keeping the same profile, I have not done measurements to prove or disprove this, but have you every hit a rough patch of road or a pothole and had to shake out your hand because it hurt? I have run in to a couple of those with this bike and been surprised that my hands didn't take the brunt of that bump, I am finding much less hand fatigue at the end of 50 miles. And again, I am much more comfortable in the drops. So, I guess what Trek says must be true.

Wheelset: The SSL came with  Bontrager Race Lite TLR wheelset. These are great wheels, but I had just bought new wheels for my Domani back in February, and they were a little bit better of a wheelset, so I had them transferred to the Silque. The nice lady that bought my Domani got a great set of brand new wheels!

Saddle: Oh dear! Was my quest for the perfect saddle going to continue? The Selle SMP has followed me over two bikes, and it just worked. The SSL was coming with the Ajna Pro saddle with carbon rails. I had to give it a chance. So, over the last month I have been working my way into getting used to this saddle which is flatter than the SMP and has much less padding. (see the comparison below). Once we got the tilt and fore and aft of the Ajna Pro adjusted correctly, I can happily say that my 50 miles yesterday were completed with no agony (or 'vagagony' as we have come to call it). I am looking forward to doing a Century in the next couple of weeks, that will be the true test... but I can honestly say, my last Century on the SMP was not entirely comfortable either! I will say that I feel like I have a much more stable platform under my a$$ with which to pedal from.

Ajna Pro WSD with carbon rails

Selle SMP

Other features: Other niceties which were good, but not the deciding factors in purchasing this model of the Silque were the cable routing, the duotrap compatibility and the 11 speed. All features that I had on  my Domani and were great, but not as important to me as the ones above. While we are on the subject... the 11 speed cassette is an 11-28. I was riding a 12-30, 10 speed on my Domani. I felt like I needed the extra teeth to get my rear up the hills (since I am not really 5'10" and 120 lbs). So far, the hills I have done, I have not felt like I need to change out the cassette. Since my two upcoming centuries are flat-ish, I am going to go with what is on the bike and if I feel the need, I can swap it out before the next Angel Ride (which is not flat-ish).

The Color Purple: I was looking at the color and I did for a moment consider going Project One. But, for me, I don't mind paying for carbon, handlebars, wheel sets and the like, but paying to change the color to make it personal, not so much. So I went with the black/purple lotus. I was unsure of this and figured I would get used to it. Much to my surprise, I love the color. The black isn't really black as I thought, I got it into the sunlight and it is sprinkled with almost an understated 'glitter' look to it, like a sprinkling of magic fairy dust (dreaming of magic bike fairies and unicorns there for a minute)! The purple lotus in underneath the bar, and there are a few accents of it here and there as well as a couple of green accents here and there as well. The only thing that left me wondering a bit was why it came in with a white seat mast. I was told I could swap that out if it was a problem, but I am thinking I will leave it. It will help me find my bike in a sea of bikes at some of these lager rides, and besides I am getting really used to it.

My Silque SSL

So, doing all this research, led me to pretty much figure I was going with the Silque SSL. I couldn't consider the Silque, Silque S or SL due to the 400 series carbon used. So really all I had to decide was whether or not to upgrade to the Di2 shifters.  While I was on my way to Newington Bike, Domani in tow, I thought of a million reasons to not buy this bike. I really liked my Domani, really, really. But once at the shop, while Domani was getting a new bottom bracket,  I decided to do a test ride. 

The test ride was done on the lower 4 series carbon SL. I loved it. Plain and simple. The fit off the rack with nothing but a seat adjustment  reminded me of the comfort I felt on a Specialized Ruby when I test rode one of those before I made the jump to the Domani. No pressure on my hands, a comfortable position that felt like it could be maintained for many miles, and what struck me first was the smoothness. Granted I was in a parking lot, but I sought out some patches of rough pavement, and a brick path to ride on, going over those everything felt, for lack of a better word, dampened. Then I test rode a bike (no brand mentioned) that had Di2 shifters*, just to see if the cost of adding those in was justified. Again, about 5 miles around the parking lot, and yes, I decided  the Di2 shifters were definitely justified. That just left me to figure out the pricing with the bike shop and it was going to be mine!
**A note about the Shimano Ultegra Di2 shifters: Hell yeah! The touch of a shifter lever and the chain moves precisely to where you want it. I find myself tiring out less because I am shifting more and with greater control. You can read about the mechanics of them online if you want, but all I can say is smooth, quiet and precise. Charging my bike is a somewhat new concept, but it doesn't have to be done all that often, and it is worth it to me.

So, now I have had the bike a month, ridden approx. 400 miles, and am happy to say it has delivered. I am more comfortable, feel like I have a much smoother ride (even over the Domani), and I am a little faster. Developing great speed has never been high on my priority list (although it is fun to be able to keep up), but now that I am a bit faster I am finding that faster can be fun, although I do still like to lolly gag and look at the scenery, too.

Bottom line: For my purposes this bike hits the nail on the head. Endurance, yes!! Staying a little more upright, yes!! Going faster, yes!!! If I was into racing and wanted that lower, more aero position, this may not be the bike, but since I am not that gal, it truly is the bike for me. Loving it. Thank you, Trek!
PS Sorry guys, this is offered in WSD only.... don't know what Trek has in store for you gents, but it will be exciting to see what comes down the road next.

Biking to end MS

A fifty miler on Sunday for MS, and a 3 mile after work "run" on Monday, which followed my 2 mile morning walk, which followed my visit to the gym, yes, tonight (Tuesday) I rest my body. Hopefully, I can get this written and posted within the next day or two (I failed, so it is going up today, June 14).  Hey! I am really trying to keep up with this blogging thing.

50 mile MS ride, my second charity event of this season. The event raised 6k for MS.  My employer, St Francis Care, has a bike team that rides every year to support the MS ride. The Mandell Center  at Mt Sinai Hospital is a St Francis Care Provider, so you can connect the dots. I was proud, really proud to wear that jersey, and raising money makes me feel good, riding my bike makes me feel good too, and riding with a good friend, well, it was a win win win all the way around.

St Francis Bike Team 2015

So, this past weekend, we brought in some dollars for MS. I wore with pride my Saint FrancisCare jersey, and I smiled while I did that flat-ish 50 miles with a high school friend, Alison. Now, let me talk about Alison for a moment.  

Karen and Alison at the start

                                             

Alison is a runner. I don't mean she runs, she really runs. I have no idea how many marathons she does a year, probably into the double digits. She even does that Goofy or Dopey thing down in Disney, a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Full Marathon all in 4 days, so when I say she is a runner, she is a runner. But, she only had one outing on my old bike and that was an 8 mile tour around Collinsville, so I kept offering to her that we could do the 25 mile ride instead of the 50, she would have none of it. We stopped at one light on Rt 10 in Simsbury and I asked her if she was shifting that bike. Her little voice came back with "I forgot how to". So, we had a little lesson at the light and once she got it, let me tell you, she was the bomb! We maintained an average speed of well over 14mph and she showed no signs of slowing down. She mastered doing a pace line, learned how to climb a hill, pointed out road hazards, used hand signals and we had a ball. We raised money, we brought awareness, we supported those who need support. Two 60 yr old gals, that 'chicked'* a few guys, got lost, got found and crossed,the finish line. But, until we end MS, until we end Leukemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma, until we end cancer of all types, and until we put a smile on the face of every sick child, we haven't crossed the real finish line. 

56 miles later, Karen and Alison at the finish.

With that, I will leave you with one thought. Ride a bike, run, walk, download the  Charity Miles phone app**. Don't want to do any of that, or don't think you can? Find a run/walk or bike ride and see if they need a volunteer to hand out the PB&J, or man the water stations. Can't do that? Donate to someone who is running/walking/riding, it doesn't have to be much, a couple bucks, or a couple bucks with a few zeroes. It all adds up.  And believe me, the giving feels good. Someday, maybe soon, with everyone's help, we may just cross the real finish line.

My thanks to the St Francis Bike Team, Jae Lorenzet, the awesome cupcake truck, the Sports Massage Team (the Thai guy, Bill, was really great!) and the gal that fell off her bike at the start for not taking me down with her.

* To 'chick' a guy means you are a chick and you pass him. It was really fun to chick some guys on a hill, doesn't happen often for me, but we had our little pace line really moving out, so we flew by a couple of guys, although, I think this is where we missed our turn. We were kind of  'in the moment' and feeling really good about ourselves.I have to ask, if a guy gets 'chicked' by two Grandmothers, should we call it 'grannied'? Hey, Dude, you just got grannied!

** Charity Miles!!!! A FREE phone app that tracks your miles (no, it is not mapping you to see where you are), just tracking your miles. Different sponsors give donations to various charities in return for the miles you walk/run or ride. The list of charities is long and varied, and 0.10 a mile is donated for bike rides, and 0.25/mile is donated for walk/run. Hey, you are doing the  miles anyway, turn on your phone and  have those miles help someone! My favorite charities on the list are: Nothing but Nets, which provides anti-malarial bed nets, The Michael J Fox Foundation, which supports Parkinson's Disease, Team Red,White and Blue, which enriches the lives of veterans.  There are many, many charities to chose from, so if you are going for a walk, run or ride, have at it and put those miles to use helping someone. Did I mention it is free? So far, I have donated 2,138.81 miles. Now, most of those miles are at 0.10 or 0.25 per mile, but sometimes different sponsors will set up a time period where they give you $1.00/mile! I try to do a lot of miles on those days :) Did I mention this is a way to donate without opening your wallet? Charity Miles was the winner of  SXSW Dewey Wilburne Interactive Award, click on the link and go check them out.

You know you are an Angel Rider when.....

After the AngelRide, I read everyone’s heartfelt messages about how life changing it is, and how much they love it and what it means to them and I agree 100%. And then I wonder why I couldn’t come up with something equally as touching and well written. I have to think on things a bit, and turn them over in my head a few times. And what I came up with was this. I added photos from facebook  (I did not take most of these, my thanks to those that did, I took very few photos, too preoccupied with turning the pedals.)

You know you’re an Angel Rider when:

•  It's May 23 and you wonder why you are up so early and why is it so cold.
•  It’s May 26 and you wonder if it is too soon to sign up for next year.
• Your jersey number equals your age, and you know there are no coincidences.
  

• Winged creatures are everywhere, and one of them may be named "Moose"
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Someone asks you a question and you pump your fists in the air and answer YES!! YES!! YES!! times 3.
• Helmet decorations are haute couture.
  
  
  
  
• You begin to think that this really is where marshmallows come from.
  
• You think you hear banjo music.
• Gorilla Grape mixed with red gatorade makes the best cocktail on the planet!
  
  
  
  
• You think to yourself, how bad can the last 18 miles be? So you smile with a friend for a selfie before you leave that rest stop, and then you find out how challenging those last 18 miles are!
  
• You DO believe in Angels
  

• You are on your nightly ride and hear a motorcycle behind you and automatically give the thumbs up
  
  
  
  

• Your first day back at work and the first thing your manager says is “You look tired”, and all you can do is smile and say “but it is a GOOD tired”.

• You see a sign saying “Dangerous Intersection” and you have no worries because you know motocrew will get you through safely.
  

• A sleeping bag and a bunkhouse give you a better sleep than a 4-star hotel

• A night at the theater means Rider #1 and the State Troubadour, and you enjoy it more than going to Broadway.
  
  
  

• A night at the theater means hearing about the success of a young man who may have given up if it wasn’t for Hole in the Wall Gang Camp and their programs.

• In the theater, there is a slight delay and a groan before every standing O. (because legs are dead!)

• The Mayor of Angelville knows your name

• The wake-up call involves a fife and drum corps, and you get up before they arrive so you don’t miss a second of it.
  

• You hear “Don’t Stop ‘til You Get Enough” (Michael Jackson) and it really does get you up a hill.

•  You rejoice because every single portapotty you visited along the way had an ample supply of TP.
  

• A little push from a stranger going up 219 goes a long way.

• You realize that there are no strangers on this ride.

• You may be riding alone but you are never alone.

• People lie and tell you it is the last big hill, and you forgive them (heck, you even appreciate the little fib).

• Your legs burn and your breathing is labored, but it is the best you have felt in ages

• You pedal every mile and every hill because you are just too stubborn to give it up

• You just have to shake your head and wonder HOW, those 250 mile riders are still turning the pedals.
  
  
  
  

•  Rest stops take a gourmet turn (Thank you Mohegan Sun for the food)

• The potato salad is the best you ever tasted and you get seconds.

• You get a fleece with the AngelRide logo on it and wear it in 85 degree weather.

• You thank the people that donated to your ride over and over again, because truly, their support means so much to you. Not only because they have faith that you will actually do the ride, but also because they realize how important this organization is to children and their families.

• You see pictures of smiling kids, and it motivates you to keep going.
  
• You know that not everyone is as fortunate, and it motivates you to keep going.
  
  
  
  

• You pass kids on the road that are waving flags and saying “Happy Memorial Day”, and signs like this one, and you pedal harder.
  

• You love the sound of a cowbell. There can never be enough cowbells.
  
  

• You want to hug every one of the motocrew.

•  You are really glad someone else is driving you home because you can’t keep your eyes open.
  

• You see your favorite bike tech at a rest stop, and his smile makes you want to keep going (Thanks Spencer). Pedal Power

•  The GOOD that comes from this ride lasts a whole lot longer than any pain you feel in your legs at the moment.

• You can’t say THANK YOU enough to Lynn McCarthy, the entire MOTOCREW, the WINGS, and every single volunteer that helps put this ride together.
• You pause to remember why we do this and also to remember the man that started it all, and give thanks that there is humanity at it's best at every turn.