Today I want to share with you my weekend plan. You may have heard me through Twitter or through random posts 
this week that I have a 150 mile bike ride this weekend. I am kind of nervous, kind of excited – but really want to share with you the what and the why of this ride.
I have done bike tours for about 10 years now. A bike tour is not a race, just a ride at your own speed with many other bikers. There is usually a small entry fee that includes a t shirt, rest stops about every 12 miles that provide water, and snacks. I think the one thing I like most about these rides is the people you meet – the biking community and we as book bloggers can understand the importance and the fun of community! 🙂
So last year my cousin tells me about this ride…. not 50 miles like I usually do…. but 150. I thought I heard him wrong. Nope, 150 miles… a two day ride, 75 miles a day.
Your kidding, I thought.
Connie Statz is a good friend of Jarrod’s wife’s mom. Connie was given a blood transfusion in 1981, that 5 other people also received. Through this transfusion, Connie as well as the other 5 contacted the Aids virus. 28 years later, Connie is the only remaining survivor of the 6 who were infected. Connie has fought long and hard and has started a camp called Camp Benedict, which is a camp for Aids education and support for Minnesota families in which one or more members of the family is infected with HIV.
Connie says, “I contracted the AIDS virus in 1981, which puts me in a small group of folks who have had this 28 years. When I contracted AIDS, AIDS affected my family, and there was nothing to help people deal with a member of their family having AIDS. When I first started the camp 15 years ago in 1994, the funding was from the Benedictine Nuns, so I called it Camp Benedict. What I started because I needed it isn’t about me anymore. We serve thousands of people. Now, it’s about helping others who feel like I did”.
So this is what I know. I know that Connie is someone who I have recently met and I find to be an incredible woman. She is a fighter, and her team that will ride in the Minnesota Aids Trek this Saturday and Sunday are called The Rhino’s. In Connie’s words, Rhino’s slogan “Born With Horns” means being tough and getting up to charge every day. 28 years later, Connie is still fighting and her team Rhino’s money raised goes 100% to help the Camp. After I heard about Connie, I knew I wanted in.
This afternoon I will ride with my cousin Jarrod, Farrah, their 4 month old son Tripp, and friend Brian, to the cities to stay overnight. We ride Saturday 75 miles from Blaine to Hinckley, stay over night, and then Hinckley to Duluth.
I am new to this ride, and I am excited to be supporting a wonderful cause… and nervous as I have never ridden this far before. Laptop will be going with me so if I have a chance to check in Friday night and through the weekend – I will. 🙂
If you would like to help make a difference, simply click on the Donate Now! button. I am helping raise money for the camp.
- Your donation is tax deductible! Our tax identification number is 41-1933994.
- Check to see if your company has a matching gift program.
- 100% of the money raised by Trek participants is given to the beneficiaries.
- Designate the Trek participant’s name when making your donation.
Book Journey 
I am getting teary-eyed over here. I am always interested and trying to participate in raising HIV/AIDS awareness, as I believe it is the curse of today, and no one should think ignorance is bliss. And for people, like yourself, who support this cause (which, in fact, means supporting humanity) I only have words of thanks.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
What an inspirational event! And what a challenge it will be to achieve your goals.
Kudos to all of you who are helping to make a difference!
This is so amazing! Can’t wait to hear all about it!
Sheila – We will be rooting for you and Team Rhino as well. I admire your drive and commitment! You are one of the fab few – Good Luck!
Wow, very inspirational! Good luck and I’ll be rooting for you and the cause!
Sheila, I wanted to donate but couldn’t find you on the list. Should I just write in your name? (I don’t know your last name).
Ugh…maybe I should have read this first. 😉 Have fun and be sure to tell us all about it when you get back.
O.K., I donated. Only ten bucks, but every penny counts, right? Thanks for sending me the e-mail w/ your last name. There was a spot you could write in people who weren’t on the list.