Awesome Journey

Well, I have completed another awesome journey to Montreal this year. The weather was perfect, the people were wonderful, made new friends and thanks to my supporters I was able to surpass my fundraising goal of $3500.

2008, the 10th anniversary of the Friends for Life Bike Rally, had a record ridership of over 320 riders and over 200 crew. We were able to raise over $1.1 million for a great cause!

I will have photos soon but in the meantime a huge thank you and hug to all of those that supported me this year, and in years past.

A special thank you to Michael who inspired me to begin the ride 4 years ago: Michael, you have a beautiful spirit and are wonderful human being!

Many hugs, ciao

R

A Smattering of Pickering Rain

Well, the clouds hinted that they were going to release some rain and fresh air...and they did precisely that, on and off for 5 hours. This was the infamous route where someone fractured a couple of ribs 2 years ago, so caution was the motto today.

Carol, my team co-lead, and I had a few rider issues but nothing major. We were the sweeps, which meant that we were the last riders of the bunch.

But, I must say, after 60+ km, I was tired at the end of the ride. After it was over the sun decided to stay out, of which I cannot complain.

All in all, not a bad ride. Not my favourite route but certain points along the way were pleasurable.

Until the next ride.
Renzo

Friends for Life Bike Rally 2008

This is a special year for the Friends for Life Bike Rally, its 10th anniversary, and I am once again participating in this awesome event. From 2005 to 2007, I have raised over $7,500...and all thanks to you, my friends and family...my partners in this effort. My goal this year is to reach, and surpass, $10,000!

I am just starting the push for this year's fundraising and maintaining this site so I ask for your patience as I get this blog up and running. Please stay tuned as I will be updating this page with the progress I am making on my training rides... which will be starting in the coming months.

I welcome anyone that would like to partner with me in this amazing event. The Toronto People with AIDS Foundation is local, in your community, and provides very direct support to men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS. We raised over $800,000 last year and we are aiming for $1,000,000 in 2008!

Ciao and thank you,
Renzo

Video and Collage Bike Rally 2007

Here is another video and collage of photos, giving you an idea of what it was like to participate in this tremendous journey:



A BIG THANK YOU AND HUG TO EVERYONE WHO SPONSORED ME THIS YEAR.

Ciao for now,
Renzo

Facebook | Videos from Friends for Life Bike Rally

Facebook | Videos from Friends for Life Bike Rally

Look quickly, this is me on the open road.

A Village's Awareness - Video

On day 6 of our journey, as our small "village" decamps and the villagers prepare for the final 102km stretch of road into Quebec, and eventually downtown Montreal, we gather together for a moment of silence and a tribute to those for whom we ride.

I cannot begin to tell you how powerful this moment of observance feels: silence, followed by slow claps, which finally crescendos to full applause and cheers. It sends shivers down my spine just watching this clip!

Fin de l'excursion - Journey's End

Well, yet another beautiful experience has come to a close. Tired, my body slightly sore in some places, but happy that I was able to participate in this awesome journey once again. As a travelling village we were able to raise over $800,000 and much needed awareness of HIV/AIDS.

I will be composing my thoughts over the coming days and will fill you in on all the details.

Thank you to all my sponsors for their monetary and moral support...you were with me in spirit!

Ciao,
Renzo

Packing Day

Well, all my clothes, tent, sleeping bag, air mattress and costumes are packed and on a truck. I always overpack but one never knows when that extra shirt or pair of shorts may be needed. What if it rains?...jacket. Late afternoon sun burning above us, on my newly shaved head?....hat. Sheesh.

Then there are a couple of costumes too...plaid paints and chain (disco/retro night), cowboy hat and glam cowboy shirt (great blue check shirt with a silver thread weaved through it just to glam it up a bit; mom quickly added darts on the back just to give that right fitted look, haha). That is it for my costumes.

A nice dinner tonight, to bed early and up at the crack of dawn to eat, dress and cycle down to the departure point. Looking forward to seeing all of my family down there tomorrow morning.

I hope to post something here when we stop off in Kingston on Tuesday afternoon, but we'll see.

Ciao and arrivederci. A la belle provence and la citte de Montreal.

Renzo