Some Post-Ride Reflections on ACT6

I am uncertain of the connection between the ride and my role as Moderator of First Congo. I know that if I were not a member of First Congo, I would not have met Jeanne Marshall, and may have never found the ride. I also know that raising a considerable amount of money for AIDS Network is certainly a Christian act. I do think that First Congo could get involved with this event in the future. With six members doing the ride this year, I believe that we had the strongest representation of any area church, but the church itself was not involved as an institution. Here are my reflections from the day after the ride itself.


I am exhausted, and very pleased at the same time. What a ride! What a community! What an event!

The ride was tough. The course was long and challenging. Fortunately, we were blessed with great weather, and an absolutely amazing group of folks to do it with.

On the morning of day1, the sun was shining, the hills were gentle, and the wind was at our backs. We rolled into the first pit stop at McFarland United Church of Christ, and I was thinking that this was going to be a walk in the park. That afternoon, we turned into a strong headwind, and after a couple of hours I was experiencing intense pain in my feet, my lower back, and my rear end. For a couple of hours, I was thinking, "What have I gotten myself into?" But I got through the day, and although many of my pains persisted, each day was better than the day before.

Day2 was "Hill Day," an understatement of the challenge. I joined a group of riders in mid-morning, and we were going faster than my comfortable pace. We got a little off route, and did two extra huge hills. When we rolled into the AM Pit Stop, we had bonded together, and I was determined to hang in with the group. We pushed on at a quick pace with Brian and Kim in the lead, and I was continually near or at the edge of my limits. After a leisurely lunch (with 10 minute massage for each of us), I actually pulled the group for quite a bit of the afternoon. What a great feeling that was! I rode with that group for the rest of the ride (Brian, Kim, Chris, Curt and I - along with Jen on day3 and a few others on day4). What fun, riding all those miles together at a challenging pace.

Day3 was "Century Day," which is a biker term for a 100 mile ride. It was also very hilly, and quite challenging. Many jokes were made, some in less than a light tone, about the "rolling terrain" we had been told to expect. I struggled to keep up with the group for much of the day, including a six mile sprint at the end of the 101 miles to beat an oncoming storm. I thought that I was going to fall out for the last five of those six miles, but somehow hung on through burning legs and lungs and the little voice in my head screaming for me to slow down. I could never have pushed myself so hard without my group. That night, while basking in the afterglow of an incredible ride, we named ourselves Team Storm Front, and magic markered that name on the backs of our calves. People do odd things in the middle of a four day ride.

Day4 was chip shot: 50 miles of rolling terrain. We rode hard the first half, with Chris was in the lead setting a blistering pace. After AM Pit, we joined some other riders and rolled into town in a long line of red.

Throughout the four days, the support of the ACT community was tangible at every moment. The crew was omnipresent. They were cheering from roving cars throughout the days. They were at rest stops every 10 miles or so, cheering us in and out again, doling out food, drink, energy bars, sunscreen, and emotional support to every rider, and to each other. The riders were all concerned about each other. If any rider was stopped on the road for any reason, a small crowd of supporters formed immediately. It became a running joke. Any person stopped for any reason had a dozen supporters stop too. Fixing your own flat was not quite forbidden, but you could not do it alone. No matter where we were during the entire four days, there were folks showing concern for our well being, and helping out in so many ways

I am still processing the deeper parts of the ACT experience. At the end of each day, just before closing the course, Rider Zero, a riderless bike, was escorted into camp by people who have lost friends and family to AIDS. Just beforehand, someone would announce the approach of Rider Zero, and everyone in camp would line the end of the course for a solemn time of respect and reflection. At the end of the day, the purpose behind the ride came to the fore. People are suffering and dying at the hands of this terrible disease. The ACT ride enables AIDS Network to support those folks to face their challenges.

I met folks who had lost friends and family members to AIDS, and folks who are still fighting this terrible disease. I am both proud and humbled by my participation in this amazing event.

The ACT motto is "Change Your Life. Change the World." I believe that the ride does both of those things. I have not yet signed up for next years ride, but I am almost certain to do it again.

Special Thanks to my friend Jeanne Marshall, whose involvement in ACT pulled me in, and who prepared me to face the challenge of the ride.