An Introductory Post --- I guess.....

I've really been trying to work on the fundraising support lately, which means I'm also directing people to check out my blog... and it occurred to me that here is the place to put that long-winded description (that was cut out of the emails) of the Rally & WHY I'm doing it.


At every Rally meeting I've attended so far the first two questions are "How did you hear about it?" and "Why are you doing it?".

First: The How.
A couple of years ago I had a friend who signed up for it. He never ended up making it to the rally, and dropped out halfway through the training --- but at the time I thought it sounded great. I didn't even own a bike then.

The Why:
On New Years I realized that 2008 felt like a total bust for me in terms of accomplishing goals. I spent the year working at the same job I've worked in since shortly after Graduation, a bad sprain in late 2007 meant that I couldn't run in the 2008 season, and I wasn't any better off financially, socially, or feeling like I did any real personal growth. The one thing I DID do in 2008 was buy a bike - a second-hand Aquila Road bike, I took a basic repair course and I spent one weekend cycling in Niagara with the Toronto Bicycle Network. In January I was reminded again of the rally and decided to sign up - if I accomplished nothing else in 2009 at least I knew I rode my bike all the way from Toronto to Montreal, and that sounded pretty awesome.

The Rally & PWA
I didn't really get behind the whole charity-aspect of the Rally until I started attending the preparation meetings. There I met the great people who run the Toronto People with AIDS foundation, learned about the services they offer, and most importantly - - I met people who live with HIV/AIDS, and heard about their experiences with the disease. I realized then that HIV/AIDS was something I'd always been aware of, but that it had been pushed to the back of my, and many of my friends', subconscious as we weren't aware that we knew anyone personally affected. Since I've become involved with the Rally I've learned of at least one person I know with HIV/AIDS, and I've also learned that it is reaching epidemic proportions within the Aboriginal Community. I also believe strongly in PWA's goal to provide direct, practical support to those who live with HIV/AIDS - and really feel like this is an organization that I am glad to be raising awareness and funds for.

The Preparation
The Bike Rally is at the end of July, all fundraising monies must be in and accounted for by June. In addition to this there is training that must be done.
Training Rides (beginning at 34km and ramping up to 120+km) take place every weekend between now and the rally. I have also joined a recreational soccer league to provide some cross-training. After nearly a year of mostly-inactivity I'm a little sad to admit that I am physically larger than I've ever been, and have a long road ahead to get back into shape. It'll happen though, and I'm excited to be participating this year.


That's about it for now I guess --- let me know if you have any questions!