Kudos to...
Mark, Carlos, Jo, Nancy from Perception Programs for breakfast and dinner in the park...GREAT JOB!
Kathey Fowler, my sister from Windham Regional Community Council for staffing lunch and checking in with me about the AIDS LIFE Campaign (http://www.ctaidscoalition.org/alc.htm)
Nancy and Jim for driving the SAGs!
Ed, Sandy, Mike, etal from Alliance for Living.
Sandy and Paul for hosting Ron, Danny and I on Friday night (and Dan and Ron on Saturday)...hosts with the most, including an amazing view over the river!
And, John Benbow and the Pfizer Crew (Vickie, Peter, Steve and Sue) for fielding a team of really delightful people.
Other riders that day included:
Tim Evers (who was sporting a new ponytail) and his friend, Doug Barrett. Tim's been with us since 2002 and I consider him a friend. We didn't get much of a chance to talk, but I'm grateful for his friendship and for coming back year after year.
Mac and Diane Hitchcock, new riders to the tour...props to Mac for finishing the 62 despite not feeling so well.
Vickie who rode with Ron...both of whom looked like they were having a great time as the flew by me.
Peter who missed a turn (which hadn't been marked) and ended up riding the 62 instead of the intended 25 (When I apologized to him at the end he said, "well, I love a good workout.")
Steve (who along with John and Rich mapped out the original routes for this day) and Sue who I always have fun conversations with along the way.
There was lots of pretty spots along the route. The day was probably hotter than anyone would have liked, but it was beautiful and everyone departed on teh ride outs energetic, spirited and happy. It was a great day to reconnect with old friends and despite a couple of minor glitches, everything went really well.
Mayor Dennis Popp from Groton and Deputy Mayor Kevin Cavanaugh from New London joined us a read proclamations from each city and pledged their continued support of the CABT and the work that we do to end the AIDS crisis.
I was reminded of a quote from Nelson Mandela's 1994vinagural address when he was elected the first Black President of a free South Africa.
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
Everyone I know and have met on this year's bike tour is filled with that light. You feel it with each interaction. You can see it in the joy of the riders as they come off of tackling the next big hill or when they re-tell some funny story that happened along the way. They are an inspiration to me, and in turn I hope that they inspire you.
Danny and I both feel that bittersweet feeling knowing that Sunday is the last day of the tour, but more on that later after our celebration at the Pond House Cafe in Elizabeth Park.
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