Caregivers

Last week, I sent out a panic email to some cycling friends - admitting that I'm really worried that I'm nowhere near ready for the 415 miles from Vermont to Maine. So this morning, Todd Fuller, Stephen Frangis, Leon Morales and I headed to the big hills of Georgia to work on our climbing skills. I have to say this was one of the most enjoyable rides I've done in a while. To cap off the day we enjoyed what I love so much about cycling - the good food, beer and conversations that follow a great day of riding.

One topic that came up today was a question about what I missed about the AIDS LifeCycle ride. It wasn't something I realized during the ride as only time away from the event brought it to life. It was a week of people being nice to each other. The organizers did a

remarkable job of bringing 2200 riders and 400+ volunteers from all over the nation, from all over the world - each with different cultural foundations, religious views, democrat, republican, gay, straight, young, young at heart, and the list goes on and on. Within 2 days, we were a community and we knew it. So what did they do to make this week something I'm counting down the days to go back? They asked us to be nice to each other and care for each other - and we did.

For the last week, I've been thinking a lot about the caregivers of the AIDS victims we have gotten to know since May. They lingered in my mind today as I sucked out the oxygen of North Georgia while I climbed and gasped for more. Oh, the mountains - the relentless challenges - they endured for their loved one.

My three cycling pals today were my caregivers - they gave me a whole day of their weekend, they didn't leave me in the dust (which they could have!) to be sure I was safe and they encouraged me for the final 415 mile venture of 2012. I have enjoyed a wonderful day of kindness and support - making it extraordinary.

To the beautiful caregivers who live behind the stories we have heard - please feel a big Facebook hug. You climbed, you didn't quit and you endured to the end. You were everything to someone and you are extraordinary. So for each of those times I look up from the bottom of an overwhelming climb - I will think of you and be inspired by you.