Thursday, June 30, 2005

Been a while...

I've done a little digging now that I'm back home from both the ride and the onslaught of conferences I had this month. Further research shows that Audioblogger changed their phone number, which explains why I was unable to post voicemail to my blog during the ride. For those of you that were following along, somewhere around halfway, I simply gave up on the technology altogether, and just chose to experience the ride instead of record it for memories. It was about that time that I finally truly began enjoying myself, and learning something.

It wasn't about showing I had been there. Frankly, not photos nor writing nor even the sound of my voice could've conveyed exactly what happened to me on this journey. It's something that quite simply one has to DO to understand.

I haven't posted many stories of what has happened. In all honesty, I may not post much. There is something sacred about the changes that began taking place inside of me on that journey. Not all of it was particularly attractive, and some of it is indeed very dark. There were times I felt on top of the world, and there were times I felt crumpled and insignificant. When they said a million emotions in the advertisements for this ride, they really were not kidding. Some made sense, some didn't. Some were pleasant, some weren't. In all though, on the other side, I can not help but feel more alive, more awake, than before.

Being there reminded me that I don't have to live up to the pressure I put on myself to be interesting, artistic, creative... I didn't need photos or a journal or blogs or words of wisdom. Little by little on this journey, all of those things began falling away anyhow, until finally there was just me and the open road, and my mind was finally quiet.

I don't know if it's preposterous to say that I found enlightenment on a bicycle. In many ways though, I did. In many ways, the ride may be over, but I'm beginning to realize the ride was only a metaphor for a journey that only just started. Something inside of me changed. Something about being with 1600 people and at the same time, feeling so alone that nihilism disolved my idea of self completely. Something about being on the same path sharing the same light collectively, but when trying to outshine another, finding my own light extinguished. Something about a larger idea of "me" being more than just "me"... being part of him, her, them, us... you. Something about a disease that is no longer killing him, her, them... it's killing us... it's killing me... and it's killing you.

It is my responsibility. This is what I was meant to be doing all along. I have a reason for being here that relates to the whole of us all. I have a purpose.

Can a person really realize something so monumental doing something as simple as riding a bike?

I challenge you to do it sometime. The answer may astound you!

Monday, June 13, 2005

hi folks

Well I'm officially over halfway there! Legs are sore, but I'm having an excellent time still. More photos soon, & longer stories when I can finally get to a computer.

Tuesday, June 07, 2005

A Picture Share!


A Picture Share!, originally uploaded by bajaboy.

There are a few riders at this event. Yeah like how does 1600 sound!

A Picture Share!


A Picture Share!, originally uploaded by bajaboy.

Biker laundry

A Picture Share!


A Picture Share!, originally uploaded by bajaboy.

Tent city

A Picture Share!


A Picture Share!, originally uploaded by bajaboy.

Strawberry fields forever

A Picture Share!


A Picture Share!, originally uploaded by bajaboy.

My trusty steed!

miss you all

Doing great on the ride, finished the infamous Quad Buster! Over 280 miles so far! Sorry for no update yesterday, was unbelievably tired after riding & went right to "bed". Lost a lot of photos & I think that has been the most disappointing thing to happen tome so far. More news soon, really wish audio blogger would let me leave a message for you all, & will keep trying. Talk to you all soon, thank you all so much for your wonderful messages of support. I am having the time of my life, have absolutely no doubt!

Sunday, June 05, 2005

goodnight from port-o-let hell

Audio Blog Still Not Working, Still In Cpt Kirk Mode. Grrr. Got A Split Tire & Got Sagged 14 Miles :( . I Did Ride The Rest Though. Super Tired Tonight. Sorry So Short An Update Was Really Hoping For Audio Blog To Work. More Soon. Thanks For All Your Email And Notes Of Support!

A Picture Share!


A Picture Share!, originally uploaded by bajaboy.

Lighthouse near santa cruz

A Picture Share!


A Picture Share!, originally uploaded by bajaboy.

Lunch rest stop

A Picture Share!


A Picture Share!, originally uploaded by bajaboy.

South of half moon bay

A Picture Share!


A Picture Share!, originally uploaded by bajaboy.

Check out my @$$ !

A Picture Share!


A Picture Share!, originally uploaded by bajaboy.

Goodmorning!

A Picture Share!


A Picture Share!, originally uploaded by bajaboy.

1200 riders!

Saturday, June 04, 2005

voice audio bloger not working

I Have No Idea Why This Crappy Sprint Phone Feels It Necessary To Cap The First Letter Of Each Word. Bear With Me Here, I Know I Sound Like Captain Kirk. Registration Over, We Ride Tomorrow. Nervous & Excited. I Hope Audio Blog Works Tomorrow, Phone Tries To Dial But Never Connects To The Server. More News Later.

A Picture Share!


A Picture Share!, originally uploaded by bajaboy.

Windy day in the Castro, SFO. We went after registration.

A Picture Share!


A Picture Share!, originally uploaded by bajaboy.

Registration line, what a madhouse!1200 riders & 500 volunteers. Over 5 million dollars raised!!!

Friday, June 03, 2005

A Picture Share!


A Picture Share!, originally uploaded by bajaboy.

Escapulario from Doc Octavio, ' Bill's ALC4 bracelet.

Here we go!

Leaving the house in about 15 minutes to drive to LA. Bill and I have a couple of errands, and then we'll be headed to Oakland. From there, to Daly City where we'll be staying with a friend, Melanio. Tomorrow will be the orientation. Woo hoo!

Everything is packed in this HUGE suitcase. Our limit was 70 pounds, and I was able to make mine a modest 35. Ha!

So here are a few last minute photos. Thank you all again for the little things you've sent along with me for support and inspiration. Octavio, I put the escapulario you sent to me on just now. Gen, I've already begun writing in the journal. I've christened the bike for the occassion. Her name is "Babe", from the legend of Paul Bunyan, because, well, she's blue like my bike!

I will keep you all updated here with more photos, text messages and voice recordings. Keep in touch! I'll be thinking of all of you while I'm out there on the road!

One last thing, aside from this blog, you can keep track of us and actually send us mail from the following location! http://experience.aidslifecycle.org/ Photos, maps, "official" rider blogs (NYAH, mine's better), and... a really cool feature where you can send an email that will actually be publicly posted or read to all of the riders at dinner mess hall, from what I understand... just like mail call at summer camp! I am Rider 3419 and Bill is Roadie 8711. It would be great to hear from you!

Alright folks, I'm off! Wish me luck! I'll be talking to you from the road!

A Picture Share!


A Picture Share!, originally uploaded by bajaboy.

Mmmm! Butt paste! A gift from Bill for the ride for rash ' chafing on the bike. I have a feeling I'm going to need it!

You have a new Picture Mail


You have a new Picture Mail, originally uploaded by bajaboy.

Some of the good luck charms, notes, inspirational trinkets and other stuff you all have sent to me. These and other "reminders" will go with me on the ride. Thank you!

Leaving tomorrow...

Everything is packed, my bike is on it's way to San Francisco in a moving van, plane leaves tomorrow evening... I'm very nervous and very excited. It is midnight however and I need to get to bed soon!

More words tomorrow.

Thursday, June 02, 2005

A Picture Share!

A Picture Share!

My big send-off at work! Thank you Council of Community Clinics! I'm on my way!

A Picture Share!

A Picture Share!

Mmmm... Latte!

Wednesday, June 01, 2005

On my way...

It took 4 hours to drive to L.A. this afternoon to deliver the bike. I do not envy folks who have to deal with traffic in that city every day. Normally, that trek by freeway is about 2 hours.

Bill and I got a little lost in Hollywood trying to find Hollywood Bowl (good luck reading that map. Oh, did we mention the parts of the street closed off to through traffic?), but made it in time to the delivery van to drop off my bike. 4 hours to get there, 2 minutes to drop off the bike.

We had dinner afterwards at Hollywood and Highland at a restaurant called Koji's Sushi and Shabu Shabu, and it was EXCELLENT! If you've never had shabu shabu, you must, it's so much fun and the food is so healthy!

We left San Diego at about 3:00, got home about 10:00. Sheesh!

Tomorrow is the last day of preparation and my bike is already on it's way to San Francisco. Nervous yet? You bet!