100 mile for Diabetes
Yesterday, I participated in the American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure. This is a bike ride, designed to raise funds for, and awareness of, diabetes. This disease is rapdily becoming an epidemic, especially among the younger children (children 12 and younger). Because this disease has affected members of my family, I do what I can to help stamp it out. Yesterday, I rode my bicycle 100 miles in and around San Diego county. It was a long, hot and arduous day, but not without its moments of serendipity. Here are some sights and observations.
A man driving a motorcycle with a side car attached. Riding in the sidecar, ears flapping in the wind, tongue lolling out of its mouth, was the happiest cocker spaniel you could ever hope to find.
Sitting alongside a makeshift shrine to his deceased wife, a bereft young man with tears streaming down his face, regretting the wasteful loss of a loved one to a tragic accident.
Parked alongside a stretch of beach in Oceanside, a dog and his master, asleep in the back of a battered pickup truck. Man and dog were snuggled against one another like lovers.
Watching, horrified, as one of my fellow cyclists put on a burst of speed to elude the driver of a pickup truck, who, for no reason we could ascertain, tried to run her off the road.
The event itself was smaller than last year, which is probably not surprising, given the state of the economy. What was surprising was how poorly organized it was. Usually, the organizers run things with the precision of a Swiss watch. Yesterday, there were innumerable gaffes, miscues and errors. It made things difficult.
The ride itself was challenging, as always. I’m glad I participated. I managed to raise $1,000 (less than last year), but every dollar counts.
April 19, 2009 at 11:57 am
My son has Type 1, so THANK YOU for doing this. I appreciate what you’ve done.