Week 2 - Ryan & Terrie Beginning the Day's Ride

Week 2 = 38 miles
What a great day! Started week 2 with frost on the windows and not enough clothes to layer with, or so it seemed. It was 32 degrees when Ryan and I started out and I think the max temp that day was 46 or 48 degrees but we sure did warm up quickly. We took the Mount Vernon trail again and although our goal was to go 20 miles out and 20 miles back, the 19th mile was the pits so we only did 38 miles. Rode past National Airport, the Washington Monument and many DC bridges. When we first started out there were very few pedestrians (or even other bikers) but that soon changed. it's great when there are not many others on the road because then we can ride together and talk. Otherwise we have to ride single file and can't talk - and those of you that know us know that one thing we LOVE to do is talk!

As we ride and think of how short this ride is compared to the 330 miles we have to do in June our dedication to this cause gets renewed in more ways than one. We are both very commited to training and increasing our endurance to the max so that we can also enjoy the ride and all the people we're gong to meet. It's hard work and we have a long way to go but it's worth it to try to help combat this disease. Please help us by contributing! Til next time!!! Terrie

The Kindness Poem (From Palotta Teamworks)

What can kindness do?
Can kindness stop an army?
Can kindness stem a flood of tears?
Can kindness stop a fever?
Can kindness bring happiness near?
What can kindness do?
Does the kind man stand a chance
Against the terrifying advance
Of cynicism, complacency and hate?
Is the kind man far too late?
What can kindness do?
Can a woman help a stranger
On a corner in his car?
Can she possibly rearrange her
Schedule? Can a woman stop a war?
What can kindness do?
Can an act of kindness find an encore?
Can it start a kindness chain
That yearns for more a more?
Can kindness stop the pain?
What can kindness do?
Can a child give up her play toy
To a child she doesn't know?
Can our children be our parents?
Can our children help us grow?
What can kindness do?
Can we flood into the streets
And make our actions say
The world is going to change
And it's going to start today.
What can kindness do?
Can humankind be expected
To say we're all connected?
Can it be our only hope?
Can it be our only hope?
Can humankind...be both?
What can kindness do?

"The Morning After"
Ride #1 - 25 miles
I guess Ryan said it as eloguently as anyone could...but he did leave out the fun part. Yes, it's going to take alot of work but i keep trying to remember how much work it is for the people with HIV/AIDS (or their families) to keep going day after day...at least for Ryan and I we can back off after the ride...these people cannot. But, anyway, back to the fun stuff. As usual for the two of us, i got to his house at about 8:30 a.m. Needless to say, we started our ride around 11:30 or noon BECAUSE, of course, we had to talk about many things and "get ready". Plus, i had to show Ryan our website!!!!!
i can tell you that we will soon be saying "on your left" in our sleep...unless we find some place to ride where there are no people - NOT. and then our trek through Alexandria forced the aromas of wonderfully cooked food into our nostrils...when we still had 11 plus miles to go.
We only did 25 miles but there were hills there and what Ryan didnt tell you is that he needs to get rid of the big fat tires that his bike has or he's going to be working way too hard for a long time. But, he made me feel good anyway.
Now, i have to get on the stick and write my "donation request" letter. Onward and upward! Keep tuning in please.