THANK YOU KAREL

So today I have been feeling QUITE a bit off kilter, not at all my perky self, and several people at work had noticed.  I don't think I had smiled all day.  So I head home and decide to do something so mundane...I laundered my bed linens.  I couldn't even muster the motivation to get my bike out and ride in today's gorgeous weather in Dallas.  That is, until I logged into my ALC fund raising site and and found a $150 sponsorship from Karel Koppen.  I don't know Karel at all.  He lives in the Netherlands.  Last night I linked my blog to my Linked In (www.linkedin.com/in/michaelwilkesen) page and while I was there, I posted a letter to a couple of professional groups I belong to.  I knew it was a LONG-SHOT, but hey, when one is trying to raise thousands of dollars for charity, you utilize every tool available to you, right?  Well, Karel is also a member of one of these groups and he said that he was "inspired" and wanted to help me realize my goal.  A complete stranger an ocean away felt inspired by me.  What a terrific gift.  Thank you Karel for TOTALLY making my day and upholding my faith in humanity.  Together we can truly make a difference!

Damn....wtf...I'm tired!

Wow...it has been nearly two months since I have been out on my bike and I sure felt it today!!  But I have to admit, I am pretty proud that I was able to ride and not pass out!

10 miles
40 minutes in duration (which includes a 7 minute break at mile 6)
Top speed 22.1 mph
Average speed 13.2 mph

Not too bad.  It won't take long to get back on track!

LET THE JOURNEY BEGIN

Well...I've talked about it long enough!

So I have finally did it!! I have officially joined my many hundreds of riders for the AIDS/LifeCycle ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles to help put HIV/AIDS behind us...make it a disease that is only studied in history books.

Please check out my rider page at www.tofighthiv.org/goto/mikeyindallas and please by all means feel free to leave a donation while you are there!

Please keep checking back often to follow my progress and to read about my grand adventure leading up to the big ride!!