"My Sincere THANK YOU to my Sponsors and Supporters" New York State by WarehouseMary

Dear Friends,

It's been nearly three weeks since the completion of the first Empire State AIDS Ride. Thank you for all you did to make this ride happen! Your contribution not only helped me, but helped others whom none of us will ever meet.

Many of you contributed by writing a check or pledging money. Your donations qualified me and a few others to participate on this ride.

Some of you supported by spending hours on the road riding with me, picking up shifts and shows at work, had my bike fixed, provided airline buddy passes and registration fee, challenged me in numerous spin classes, got me lifting weights, helped ship my bike, purchased supplies for my bike, gave me discounts on those supplies, and some provided me with shirts and shorts.

Then there were those of you who let me borrow equipment, gave massages and adjustments, wrote articles, wrote letters, and others who sent lovely words of encouragement.

Some of you traveled to entertain the riders and greeted us on the road. Others were there when we rode into Battery Park.

The morning we departed Niagara Falls: A RAINBOW!

We were 61 riders and 22 crew members who raised over $250,000 dollars! All pledges are going straight to the four agencies that sponsored the ride. We traveled 520 miles over 6 days.

Our first day started with 135 miles. Believe it or not...that was the easiest day. The days just kept getting more and more challenging. Those hills - no, MOUNTAINS -- went on for miles and miles. For me that meant hours and hours.

Jason and I at Battery Park, at the ride's End...

Highlights included:

* Having Jason, my husband, join us. He crewed and was a joy to have on the trip. Jason was helpful and encouraging to all. His positive energy was a gift to us all.
* Assisting as Emcee at the beginning and end of our ride. It was a pleasure and an honor.

* Having friends come to perform. Vicki Genfan performed on night 4. She had a sound system but no lights. Vicki sang around the camp fire with us shining our flashlights on her. She kept riders up longer than usual because everyone wanted to hear, "just one more song". Thank you Vicki and Tay!

* On night 5, my friends from the Comedy Warehouse came to do an improv show. I couldn't have been more proud. Steve, Greg, Krista, Layden, Jen, and Robby came from Orlando, LA and NYC to bring laughter as they lifted spirits.

* The final highlight was our last day while riding through Yonkers, the Bronx, and Manhattan. A day that added some gray hairs to my head. I started to think I was in a video game as I dodged busses that cut in front of me, braked for cars that would stop on a dime to back up, swerved around double parked cars that made me have to ride in the oncoming lane, parked cars with doors that flew open, pot holes, people yelling at me, cab drivers aiming for me...or so it would seem.

Three riders that eventually came my way said that they would see me safely to our rides end in Manhattan. Dr. Rob rode behind me shouting out directions that got me through the hardest parts. It wasn't until we stopped some miles later that Dr. Rob mentioned he had been hit by a car before riding up to where we met. It was then that I noticed his arm and the back of his shirt which looked like a bear had swiped him. There he was helping me yet Rob had just been hit.
Why was this a highlight? Because this is a perfect example of how eighty some strangers came together as a force of goodwill to be there for others. The same way you were there for us. And so the circle of kindness goes...

This ride was a much needed boost to my faith in humanity. Goodness is still in us, still out there, and I hope always will be.

From the bottom of my heart I thank you.
Love,
Mary
***CLICK ON THE TRAVELOGUE PAGES BELOW TO SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THE TRIP!
PS Sue Holland has writen an article on the ESAR and my experience. Should you wish to read it go to :www.mouseplanet.com/sue_holland/sh030926.htm

• Pros:The ride was filled with wonderful people doing a great thing.
• Cons:The 3 and 4 mile climbs that popped up just when I thought we were done climbing for the day.
• In a nutshell:I'm glad I did it, and couldn't have done it without all of your support.