Well, another fabulous five days has come to it's natural end. I have a mix of feelings about it all. I'm elated about how smoothly this year's tour ran; disappointed in the two teams who dropped out at the last minute and that we had fewer riders in general; missing Ron and Danny (Hey, we spent 5 long days together!!); fondly remembering snippets of scenery from every county in the state; and already thinking of and talking about ways to improve next year's tour.
We had a wonderful ride-in with a West Hartford Police escort into Elizabeth Park. Ron's 12 year-old son Gabriel and my (almost) 10 year-old son Corbett led the way into the park. There, rider's families and friends and staff and residents from Peter's Retreat (an AIDS housing program in Hartford and one of the beneficiaries of the ride) all cheered us on. And as is true to our tradition, once all the riders were in, they raised their bikes over their heads and cheered!! Louis Lista etal at the Pond House Cafe hosted an amzing spread of food and cold beverages, which we were in awe of.
Danny and I said a few words about how much we love the bike tour and how much love the bike tour generates among everyone involved. I introduced my Mayor, and the mayor of West Hartford, Scott Slifka who rode in with us. Scott's been with us for two years now and is a great supporter of the ride. He and I made a deal to ride next year and I'm holding him (and myself to it!).
In dribs and drabs, people grabbed their bikes and slowly made their way back to their cars
No latter how long or high the hills, or how hot the sun was, or how many miles riders cycled around the state, they all had great energy and huge grins on their faces.
There are probably hundreds of people to thank for making this year’s tour not only possible, but incredible, and there’s no way I can know everyone who ought to be thanked. Here are a few from each area who helped make a difference.
Special thanks to Rep. Joe Taborsak for stopping by Wednesday evening in Danbury; John Rohr who negotiated the riders passage over some unexpected construction somewhere in western CT; Charlie Carroll in Bridgeport who insisted on keeping the city hall annex open for showers and rest for two riders; Robin Clark-Smith and Buddy her little dog for a fab dinner on the deck; Nate at Cycle Center in Stamford for opening his doors to us (and Danny’s seat post); Matt Feiner from the Devil’s Gear Bike Shop (ditto, Danny’s post); Peter George, bike mechanic extraordinaire and his wife Judy (and her famous cookies) in New London; Sandy and Paul Brindamour for feeding us out in the screen house(where Ron slept)and letting us crash at their home on the beautiful Niantic River; Mayor Popp from Groton and Dep. Mayor Cavanaugh from New London for their support in Groton; Senator Edith Prague who stepped off a motorcycle to greet our riders in Willimantic; and Mayor Scott Slifka from West Hartford. Also, thanks to Perception Programs and Alliance for Living for donating the SAG wagons and drivers, and the Hartford Gay and Lesbian Health Collective for the first aid kit. And to anyone I missed...I apologize!
Martin Luther King said, “Everyone can be great because anybody can serve. You only need a hear full of grace and a soul generated by love.” You all demonstrate that every day with your commitment and dedication to people living with HIV/AIDS.
And one final quote from Bobby Kennedy - “A revolution is coming — a revolution which will be peaceful if we are wise enough; compassionate if we care enough; successful if we are fourtunate enough."
This bike tour is our little revolution. It’s been an honor to meet each of you, to work with you and I look forward to continuing to change the world “by little and by little” with you.
Peace and love,
Shawn
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