"The lesson which life repeats and constantly enforces is `look under foot.' You are always nearer to the divine and the true sources of your power than you think. The lure of the distant and difficult is deceptive. The great opportunity is where you are. Do not despise your own place and hour. Every place is under the stars, every place is the center of the world." -- John Burroughs

California AIDS Ride 6 was the best experience I've had in many years. It was the culmination of the previous six months of training and apprehension. Many of you know that I peaked a few weeks early, I was itching to ride, I was tired of training every non-work waking moment. I wanted my life back.

I was also sure I hadn't trained enough. I was certain that while I would probably enjoy most of the Ride, I would also suffer through most of it.

Before I left, I promised myself that I would wait to see how much recovery time I needed before making a decision on repeating this endeavour. I broke that promise on Day 6. I was having little trouble conquering the terrain, and too much fun to give any consideration to NOT doing it again.

An amazing group of people are drawn to the Ride, and the community coalesces quickly (you get to know a lot of people standing in the lines that start on Day 0) What we are setting out to do is a profound task (especially for first time riders like myself) and each person has to face their own demons. But never do you feel that you are alone. There is always someone nearby telling you how well you're doing (even when you wouldn't be able to keep your balance if you were going any slower into the wind up this hill that never seems to end), how great you look (even though you know that you look like something the cat would have let die in peace, rather than drag in), and what a difference you're making in the lives of those you're riding for. (It's this last that keeps your legs moving on the aforementioned hill)

7 days and 565 miles later, I was glad to be finishing, but I wanted to keep going. I wanted to hold on to the emotions, the camaraderie, the sense of purpose. But all good things must come to an end. And I resign myself to integrate back into the doldrums of my life. But CAR 7 is coming, and THAT is why I'll be on the road more often than not come January.

Day 1 - Tre-pedal-ation
Day 2 - IIIIII'mmmmm sssaaaaaaaaailinggg aaaaaaawwwwwayyy!
Day 3 - Slip Sliding Away
Day 4 - Hydrate, or Die
Day 5 - Camera Comes Out
Day 6 - Mind Over Bladder
Day 7 - All Good Things Must End