Road to the Quilt...
Continued
|
More Photos
|
To all those who called us "crazy" (and those who know we are!):
HOLY SPOKES!!!! WE MADE IT!!!!
We are enjoying the comfort of the Holiday Inn Conference Center in
Decatur,GA just 5 miles from Atlanta. Our odometers are reading just under
1,000 miles and we can't believe we rode the whole way!!!
We thought today would be a piece of cake, but we were riding in the area
of Stone Mt. GA and those hills pulled on our muscles more than we had
thought. But remembering Randy's courage, we finished the day in style.
Our daughter Heidi surprised us and joined us at the hotel, and Michael
Ridgeway will arrive in about an hour after driving our van from Lancaster
to carry our sorry "butts" home tomorrow.
In the morning we will arrive on bikes at the NAMES Project in Atlanta
where we will dedicate Randy's panel to be joined with all the others in
the AIDS Memorial Quilt. Then it's a journey back home at speeds we haven't
encountered for three weeks, with "tired" bicycles resting at last on the
back rack.
We can't express in words how much all of your interest and contributions
mean to us. We will be taking the Quilt a check for $1,000 to help secure
their grant for Saving America's Treasures. Thank you all again for your
thoughts, prayers and good vibrations in our amazing journey. Traveling
through this wonderful country of ours and meeting some very special
people, sharing our mission, we have realized that we truly are all
connected!
"The journey of a thousand miles begins beneath your feet."
Peace and Love, Lin and Harriet
UPDATE: 10/17/06
Friends and Family
Thanks for your interest in our amazing journey! All in all, the weather
and traffic have been kind to us. We both agree we are having the time of
our lives, even though some have called us "crazy!"
Yesterday our wheels carried us as far as Prosperity, SC albiet with two
broken spokes on Harriet's bike and a bent rear wheel on Lin's - minor
problems considering the distance we've covered on those trusty Treks - now
750 miles.
Conveniently, our daughter Heidi resides in Evans GA (just across the
border) and arrived in her Surburban to take us to her home to visit and
spend the night. Driving there was an experience we haven't had in 3 weeks
- moving at more than 15 -20 mph! There we spent the day getting
maintenance at a very professional bike shop and Lin getting rest while
Harriet chose a massage!
Tomorrow Heidi will return us to the point she found us and we will be on
the move again. If our legs can carry us about 250 more miles we should
arrive in Atlanta in about a week.
Again, thanks for all your thoughts and interest.
The biking grandparents, Lin and Harriet
UPDATE: 10/16/06
Hi Everyone!
Well, I spoke with Dad and Harriet on Saturday evening, and all is well! They were calling from Bishopville, S.C. and had rode 63 miles that day, for a total of 662 miles!! Way to Go!
During their travels, as they were biking through Darlington S.C., they ran into a Sweet Potato Festival. There was food galore, stands and rides, right in the middle of town! Cars were not allowed through the town, but Dad and Harriet had no problem getting through on their bikes. Then, as they were biking on route 34 accross South Carolina, they hit a contruction route, where the road was closed and the bridges were out! The construction crew was nice enough to let them bike through, where cars were not allowed to go!
They have made a point on this journey to speak to people about Aids Awareness, and the importance of physical fittness. Dad said that people are listening!!
So many people could not believe that they rode all the way from Pa.!!
Dad and Harriet think they have roughly 7 more days to go, give or take a few days depending on weather, hills, etc. Again, their biggest hazard is dogs!!! They still consider hills, wind and dogs, 4 letter words, and HEAD WIND, 2 four letter words!! They love those tail winds though!
Hope you all enjoyed the update!
Take care,
Wendy
UPDATE: 10/12/06
I just got a message from Dad and he's asked me to write the update. They've reached Dunn, NC... but he said they are not "done" with the trip quite yet! They've ridden over 500 miles so far and biked 60 miles today! They've encountered a lot of wind, and said that yesterday "hill" was a 4-letter word... but today "wind" seems to be the 4-letter word. They think they'll be in NC for one more day, but should reach SC by the end of tomorrow.
Harriet wanted me to let everyone know that she's been pushing Dad up the hills... and is frequently passing him! You go, Harriet!
Take care, everyone!
Sandi
UPDATE: 10/3/06
IT'S 11:00 PM- DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR PARENTS ARE?!
Yes we do! The bikers are safe & sound & glad 2b in a soft bed- about
20 miles north of Richmond as of Thurs pm. They broke their daily mileage
record today, pedaling their way thru 55 miles of highways & byways! They
have now done about 245 miles total.
By the 3rd day into the trip, they looked at each other and said "what
were we thinking? Are we crazy?!" (isn't that what everyone else tried to
convince them b4 they left home?!) But by day 6, they were digging their
new life of being "two tired!" Their revelation as they rode thru the
hills of norther VA was that "HILL" is a 4 letter word! The biggest
challlenge so far has been arranging for hotels. Around lunchtime they
know about where they will be by evening, and start calling to find a place
that won't take them too far off their path. They have been enjoying the
luxury of sleeping in and getting a hot breakfast, then hitting the trail
by 9:00ish. (also avoiding alot of work traffic).
As the miles melt away they look forward to reaching their destination
in Atlanta. But as Randy has taught us, they still remember "it's the
journey that counts."
Thank you for your prayers and for sharing in their adventure!
Lisa
UPDATE:
Saturday, September 30, 2006 to Monday, October 2, 2006
Lin and Harriet call from Rockville MD.
The Road to the Quilt has been kind to Lin and Harriet! The adventure started on Saturday with a ride from Lititz to York, PA. Surrounded by Family members on Sunday, they rode from York to Hunt Valley, MD. They have ridden 121 miles and are doing well! Harriet says Randy most certainly has been watching over them as yesterday they stayed safe while spending all day on highways. They said that Mike Ridgeway's training really came into play and they are so thankful that they went through the course. (So are we Mike, Thank you!). Lin only had to use his GPS once when a road listed on the map, suddenly ended! (Who says men don't ask for directions albeit by GPS!)
Today they have a beautiful ride on the Rock Creek Trail which takes them through Washington D.C. then on to the Mt. Vernon Bike Trail. Tonight's pit stop is either Mt. Vernon, VA or Lorton, VA. The adventure continues!
A letter from Harriet and Lin Bowen
Dear Friends and Family,
On September 30, we will leave our home in Lititz, PA, bound for Atlanta, GA. The journey will be on hybrid bicycles, carrying a quilt panel commemorating the life of our son, Randy, who died in 1995 of AIDS, resulting from a blood transfusion. This panel will be joined to nearly 50,000 others, each honoring the life of a loved one lost to the AIDS pandemic.
101 Krog Street in Atlanta, GA is the new home of The NAMES Project Foundation, housing the AIDS memorial Quilt. Here new panels are received and older ones mended to be shipped across the nation for displays in all 50 states. The Quilt now weighs over 54 tons and serves as a reminder of the loss of 88,000 lives.
To continue the Foundation's mission of education, prevention and outreach, a government grant called "Saving America's Treasures" has been applied for. It is a matching grant and The NAMES Project wants to raise $100,000 to receive it.
Despite tremendous advances in treatments, the occurrence of new HIV infections remains relatively steady at an estimated 16,000 people each day. We can't know exactly how many lives have been touched by witnessing the Quilt displays and Youth Education Programs. The hope is that many individuals have been inspired to change their behavior and taken critical action to avoid HIV infection. No-one comes away from seeing The Quilt unmoved.
The AIDS pandemic has touched us personally, but also others all over the nation and throughout the world. We desperately want to help The NAMES Project receive their grant to continue their education and outreach. Will you help us to make a difference by supporting us on our fund-raising "Road To The Quilt" in memory of our son Randy.
We will be riding during the month of October. We ask that donations be sent to our sponsoring organization, Dream Ride Projects, P.O. Box 141, Lancaster, PA 17608-0141 (www.dreamrideprojects.org) by October 15, 2006, to be presented to the Foundation at the time of our arrival on bicycles with Randy's panel.
With Much Gratitude and Many Blessings to you
Lin and Harriet Bowen
Click HERE to download a pledge form
|
|
|
June 5, 1993- May 21, 1994
A solo, self-contained bicycle tour to promote education efforts concerning HIV infection and AIDS.
- 13,108.6 Miles
- 30 States
- 50 Weeks
- 25,000 People
- 213 Organizations
Thanks…
Although I get most of the notoriety for spending nearly a year on the road and making presentations all around the country, I know I couldn't have done it without "the gang". So a big thanks goes out to the original Dream Ride for AIDS folks; Pamela, Helen, Kathy, Chris, Rita, Pete & Patty, Jeannine, Jim, Scott & Christy, Monroe, Dennis, Mike, Bill, Sheri & Keith, Denise, Ben, Jeff, Sid, Dennis, Harold & Joni, Rich, and Tim. And I'm not leaving out my own family; Mom & Dad and Lynn & Val and their families all rallied around my cause and supported my efforts throughout the year-long journey.
May 19, 1995
As part of 12th Annual International AIDS Candlelight Memorial and Mobilization, another solo and self-contained ride. This ride was just the perimeter of Lancaster County. Purpose was to promote Betty Finney AIDS Memorial Garden and honor County residents who had died.
- 178 Miles
- 1 County
- 14 hours, 32 Minutes
- 100 People
- 8 Organizations
Sept 8, 1995-October 25, 1995
In partnership with Statewide American Red Cross Chapters, a one-person bicycle tour on the perimeter of the state of Pennsylvania. Purpose was HIV/AIDS presentations.
- 1,209.3 Miles
- 39 Cities
- 48 Days, 8 Hours, 30 Minutes
- 5,033 People
- 20 Organizations
Sept. 9-Oct 7, 1996
A second ride for AIDS awareness on the perimeter of the state of Pennsylvania.
- 873.1 Miles
- 21 Cities
- 29 Days, 6 Hours, 10 minutes
- 4,996 People
- 12 Organizations
Oct. 9- Oct. 12, 1996 | Photos
First "Dream Ride for AIDS, The Road to the AIDS Quilt". Eight other cyclists joined Mike Ridgeway on a three-day bicycle trip to deliver quilt panels via bicycle to the 1996 AIDS Memorial Quilt display being held in Washington, D.C. on Columbus Day Weekend.
- 171 Miles
- 3 Cities
- 2 Days, 5 Hours, 17 Minutes
- 156 People
- 4 Organizations
- 11 New Quilt Panels
- Husa, Lisa, Nancy, Michele, Michelle, Mike, Randy, Tom, Tracey
May 1- May 4, 1997
Three cyclists, including Mike Ridgeway circumnavigate Lancaster County’s perimeter in four days. The project included AIDS quilt displays in Willow Street, Adamstown, Elizabethtown and Lancaster City. Three cyclists joined us from Elizabethtown and we walked together at the Lancaster AIDS Walk.
- 178 Miles
- 3 Towns
- 3 Days, 2 Hours, 54 Minutes
- 1,004 People
- Two Churches, One College, One Community AIDS Walk
- Benjamin, Michele, Mike, Nancy, Tom, Tracey
August 29-Nov. 9, 1997- This cross-country bicycle tour carried eight newly made quilt panels to the original home of the NAMES Project in San Francisco. Michael Ridgeway rode alone. The panels were carried with a B.O.B. Trailer in tow. See Photos
- 3,182.7 Miles
- 42 Cities
- 72 days, 4 Hours, 5 Minutes
- 1,500 People
|
|
|
