The NYCDC Aids Ride for Research....what happened to me!

[sacinsc]

Well, as some of you know I decided to do the bike ride from NYC to DC to raise money for AIDS research. The ride started Friday in NYC and ended yesterday (Monday) here in DC. Got to tell you, I was afraid when I started. First I raised the money to do the ride. All the money is going to a researcher named Dr. Wu who has discovered how the virus attacks the T Cell. He is developing a new treatment that will stop the virus permanently from attacking our T Cells, it won't kill the virus but the virus will never be able to replicate. We will all still test positive, but it won't be able to attack our immune system anymore. Dr Wu and his research staff were part of the road crew for the ride. I really enjoyed talking with them and learning more. They are going to use the money we raised to begin working towards clinical trials in Africa. One of the researchers, who also biked, and I road with her through Cape May, NJ...she updated me on the research. I did the ride because I wanted to do something to help end this epidemic, but more on that later....here is what happened....

Day 1, We started in NYC at Pier 11. After watching a strange man in short overalls and tape over his mouth jump around wearing boxing gloves....we boarded a boat and went over to NJ.  From there we biked though the horse country. Along the way, it rained...a lot. I got wet....a lot. Saw some horses, a donkey, some white tail deer, and a llama. The llama looked at me like "What are you doing here" I looked at the llama like "What are you doing here?" Think my look made more since, llamas live in South America not NJ. Anyway, after 85 miles we camped...in the rain.

Day 2, We started out heading for Cape May. About 20 miles in my knees started giving out. They pulled me off the course, much to my protest and iced me. The sagged me ahead to the afternoon rest stop, where I started going again. It was hot, very hot and humid. We biked out to the lighthouse, where they forced me to ice up again. That night we camped out again. We hung out talking until what seemed like late in the night....about 9:30 pm. You bike all that way and 10 is like 4 in the morning. This was also Pirate Day. The road crew dressed as pirates and decorated their cars.

Day 3, We biked to the ferry that took us into Deleware. Along the way my knees gave out. They pulled me again (bastards) and took me to the rest stop. So I missed 15 miles. At the rest stop they iced me, and the awesome bike guy looked at my cleats and fixed them. Then he watched me ride. Turns out my seat was WAY TO F'ING low. He raised it nearly 4 inches...those of you who cycle know this is beyond a lot.....and viola I was biking liking a fiend. My knees were still damaged but I could bike with the best of em! It was hot as hell Sunday. And Delaware is full of nothing but wilted corn stalks and soybeans. Fun. We wound up near the Bay Bridge in Maryland. There we had a hotel room with an awesome shower! We had a great dinner and yeah I drank....

Day 4, We biked down to the Bay Bridge Marina. We took a yacht over to Annapolis. We then biked into to DC. Amazing to bike into Washington to finish this 300 + mile trek.


In closing, I made friends that I will have for life. I met people who were biking in honor of people, people who like me have the virus, people who were just wanting to help others, and people who just care. We became a family for 4 days. I can not wait to do this again next year.

I can say now that I have done something to help end this virus' reign of terror. In the process, I learned a lot and found new people to love. I encourage you all to do something like this. If it isn't something physical like I did or supporting someone who is. If it is volunteering to help those less fortunate than you do it.

Nothing and I mean nothing has made me feel more valuable and rewarded as raising this money and following through with this ride. I did this for myself and for all of you. I am proud of myself and all those that did the ride with me. And the fact that I can now say I did something to end the epidemic means so much to me.

[atlq]

Wow...what a great experience you must have had...congratulations and thanks!...

[emeraldize]

Saw some horses, a donkey, some white tail deer, and a llama. The llama looked at me like "What are you doing here" I looked at the llama like "What are you doing here?" Fundraising researchers have learned that with some riders early on, the Ace Ventura Syndrome can set in. Some shake it off within 24 hours, while others require therapy.
 

In all seriousness, thanks for posting the story and for choosing to support research which might benefit all of us. 

[bear60]

Good for  you! and....thanks. I wish I could do what you did.

[Dachshund]

Wow, what a inspiring treat to read this morning. What personal growth you've shown from your first shaky days at AIDSMEDS. Inspiration for us all! No bells, no whistles, just activism at it's best.

Good on ya!
Hal


edited for typo

[sharkdiver]

Yeah Buddy!

At first glance I thought you were fed "nothing but corn and soybeans.." and then I thought poor Matt, they are starving him....(knowing your love of vegetables and all...anyways)

I am so proud of you! It is so good to see you so up-beat and inspired.

Go Matt Go!

Sharkie

[BT65]

Matt, what a great story to read.  You've come a long way.