I Care Because . . .

This has been a fun week of training with a few scheduled set-backs from more gum surgery. A few things I learned last year: (1) don't carry more up the hills than you really need. Thus, my weight loss is now at 3.6 pounds. (2) after the first 45 miles, you better have good strength training in your back pocket. Thus, I've upped the amount of weight training this year and work with my personal trainer once a week. (3) You better know why you care about this cause to meet the endurance requirements on the mind.

I described in my AV200 rider spotlight that I do these rides because: First, I believe that an AIDS vaccine is the only way to truly end this epidemic. Second, I believe that I am called to care for people currently dealing with the challenges HIV/AIDS and I personally love and know many of them. Third, I believe that stigma is flat-out wrong. Fourth, the stories of HIV/AIDS victims move me and I want the world to know how special they are/were.

I was struck by the picture below (found somewhere on the web) and wondered how you would answer this question. If you were standing along the ride route cheering on the riders (which you are by reading this!), what would your sign say? Give me some images to take into my training . . . I'd love to hear why you care about this cause. And yes, if all you can come up with relates to spandex and colorful jerseys, I'll take it - but I bet we have more!!!