Follow Me to the End of AIDS

After 287 miles since leaving Boston on Friday we arrived as a team in NYC Sunday afternoon. Riding with The Braking Aids Family has been an overwhelming experience. The ride was amazing in terms of the athletic accomplishment but even more so because of the first hand knowledge I gained of how the fundraising we did is helping Housing Works to end AIDS by 2020. I met so many wonderful people who every single day live and work towards that goal. Here are a few highlights and the signs on today's route

Starting the day with words of encouragement from the Wees and Rob. 

The route overview

We stopped for a quick photo op that almost caused us to miss a time cutoff due to a parade. Ride officials only let us go on without sagging past the parade as I promised we'd ride fast, and the five miles past the parade route were possibly speediest of the whole trip but we did it, we were riding every single mile we could. 

But then a reflective moment for Ali before the final leg of our journey. 

Riding to the finish in lower Manhattan was extremely challenging due to the UN meeting on Monday and many streets and avenues closed in addition to the regular vehicles in the bike lane, delivery people biking the wrong way, pedestrians  stopped in the middle chatting or taking photos on their IPads, etcetera. Ali is more used to biking in the city so she went ahead and Mary guided me safely to the finish, which I will always be grateful. 

After gathering at a school near the finish area we rode as a group to Cylar House (a supportive housing community) to celebrate with riders, crew, residents, and family and friends. 

Day Two and Still Having Fun

 I knew the beginning of today's ride would be hilly when I saw the first rest stop was at 7 miles. And it was, with over 1000 feet of climbing during the first 10 miles and a total of 5000 over the entire 100 miles. Hills aside the ride was beautiful with both forests and beaches and even a short ferry ride. Ali and I both rode with many different people, all of whom were amazing and inspiring in every way. 

And Rob was here in spirit as Mary and I had a quick caffeine break on the road after lunch. 

Glad we only saw the sweep van from the outside. 

Ride Day is Here

It's Friday morning and the excitement is so great we couldn't even sleep till our alarm went off at 4:20 AM. So here we are getting up and getting ready to load the buses at 5 am to our starting location. 

On the bus and then retrieving our bikes, I'm #135 also known as "mama."

Opening ceremony with Housing Works Ceo Charles King. 

Our team Kings of the Road. Somehow I missed the group photo but I'm ready to ride. 

Here are a few photos from our 106.1 mile ride with 7000 feet of climbing (for non biking friends that's a lot of hills) starting with wishes from Harvey!

An unexpected joy was about 5 miles of riding on a beautiful and FLAT bike trail after hours of unrelenting hills. 

And then a picnic lunch.

106 miles later riding into the finish. The day was definitely enhanced by perfect weather with more of the same the next two days.  

Ready to Roll

The easy miles - on the bus to Boston

Orientation meeting and then back to our hotel for an early nite. After getting our gear ready for tomorrow Ali trying on her new arm warmers. This is going to be a fun ride. 

We Leave Tomorrow

After weeks and months of training and fundraising we leave tomorrow am for Boston. We dropped our bikes off yesterday with the wonderful Tom at Global Impact and today they are on their way to Boston where they will await our arrival. 

Ali and I had a very restful Yom Kippur and tonite made up for fasting with feasting at MOB and catching up on our hydration (water).

Our bags are packed and luckily the weather forecast looks great so no rain or winter gear (a whole extra suitcase) not needed. But still there is a lot of stuff and hopefully nothing forgotten. 

We've been receiving lots of communication from the amazing Braking Aids crew and we are totally psyched as the excitement mounts. However, we probably could have done without seeing this photo posted by a Braking Aids crew member of the signs they are placing along our route:

But we will take it all in stride and remind ourselves why we are doing this ride and how the money we raised will help Housing Works and the clients the agency serves. 

And for your reading interest here's a link to an interview Housing Works did with Ali in their lead up to the ride: 

http://www.housingworks.org/community/detail/quality-time-with-ali-kliegman/

On my Way

Today I leave for NY and then Thursday to Boston for our amazing adventure  

Yesterday I did my last long training ride, 68 mostly hilly miles of Pedal the Kettle with Nancy.  

And Ali ran a fun 5k with co-workers on Saturday and then her last training ride on Sunday. 

We are both ready!!!  And now for a few days of rest and fasting (Yom Kippur) and then carb loading. 

One Week Away, Hard to Believe!

I am getting so excited as one week from today we will be in Boston getting ready to ride. I've started packing and think I need a personal vehicle and valet. Between my bike gear, clothing for any weather, food and supplements, personal beauty supplies, clothing, electronics, etc we will be ready for anything.

Rob looked at my stuff and thought the packable clothing line was not essential. 

All joking aside I'm doing a few last rides with Sunday being the longest 68 miles at Pedal the Kettke (assuming no rain). Yesterday rode with cream city and of course spider man and Nancy. Hills and hot but I felt very rested after Rosh Hashanah rest. After Sunday I'll be resting again until the ride starts a week from tomorrow September 25.