One of the questions I have been asked a couple times now by friends:
Steve, Why not skip the ride and donate the money directly to the charities?
Dear Friend,
That is a good question. The main reason why is because this is the nearest thing I have had yet to a spiritual pilgrimage: I was born there, and it was my father's favorite place in the world - he talked often when I was a little boy about Alaska and fishing salmon straight from the ocean and then directly onto a fire - dinner - who needs a kitchen? He also told me how breathtakingly beautiful it was - and I have seen some beauty since then in my life and I am ready to appreciate this. He also told me again and again how he would take me there when I was older. How we would hike and fish together, like father and sons do.
Well, he did not make it. He was cut down in his prime, right during the beginning of my adolescence, and did not get a chance to return with me. This is my chance to test my absolute limits as I praise and thank him - I am not a big big cyclist; although I have been biking every day/every other day for the past couple months - travel 500 miles, literally through the final frontier, through sleet maybe, rain ... on a track 150 miles south of the Arctic Circle to commemorate my father's never-die spirit, his unwillingness to give up or in to his awful disease by doing this myself... BUT I never thought, in my wildest dreams, that my mom would really come, and do it too along with me, to honor my father. She makes me proud and I love her and I would not miss this now for anything!
I am doing the ride because the ride, in and of itself without the money aspect to it at all, is good and pure and right and beautiful for me. That maybe I help to motivate my dear friends to give of themselves in the process for one of the most important causes humanity has ever had to face - understand that currently, over 34 million people will die of AIDS - that is what the statistic "34 million people are HIV positive worldwide" currently means - is a beautiful, wonderful side affect and one that every single person can be proud of.
Because if I don't help who will? You? I sure hope so. I know I will. I've already pledged $460 and will stand to pay even more if I don't raise the money I need. And thats OK. 'Cause I'll do it. But think how much better we could do if everyone chipped in the cost of a CD. Hell, if you didnt buy a piece of vinyl then you could not play it all the time in honor of the AIDS ride. Whenever someone asked you about that album or mentioned a single from it you just say "Nope, that's the one I didn't buy to fight AIDS. Imagine my good karma now when I hear that track."
I know this is New York and lots of people hear this type of thing lots of times about lots of different causes. But THIS IS LIFE. WE WILL MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE. TOGETHER. WE MUST - ELSE WHAT ARE WE?
You and I seem to be on the same wavelength most of the time. You understand, right?
Care and respect,
steve