Summer in the UK

I am amazed at how much different things are in one year. Someone told me that it takes an entire year to finally get settled into a new life somewhere else - particularly when moving overseas. I have not made my goal of being on a bike here in the UK, but I am beginning to realize - that it is not that important. I want to ride my way. Not for the sake of being on a bike - but to feel the wind on my body, the sound and smells of the road and the feeling I get when riding. It isn't about the bike - it is about that journey! I can't imagine riding here and just going. It would be to a specific destination - riding for the sake of riding - not for the joy of it.

Life is a bit like that. There are times that we just live. We breathe, we eat, we go to work, but just don't live life. For now, I think I would rather journey with my feet, the tube or the train and enjoy the process of getting to wherever "there" is. The bike - Baby, she and my friends will all be there when I get back. Until then, I will focus on making this part of my journey one to remember for the rest of my life!


Shiny Side Up
RoadRunner

Buffs

This is one post I never really like to make. This time one of our own is going to be giving her mother a buff. But the story is just the same; The buff is a soft cover for your head during chemo, a scarf to wear as a badge during the times you no longer need it for your head and a reminder that life is a journey. It isn't about the destination, it is how you get there that matters. Focus on the journey, because the destination will always be there.

When I give a buff away, I tell the woman that recieves it that she should remember two things: That a crazy woman on a motorcycle gave her the buff and secondly to always remember that life is a journey and to enjoy the ride!

Love you 100% and all the Gray Lady Riders (both those known and unknown) will be praying for your mother!

Motorcycle Show!

Wow. Today was amazing. Jose and I attended a Motorcycle show where we were able to share our story. I was so impressed with the number of people who where not only interested, but are willing to help us! To all of those that came by our booth to say hello or to find out more - thank you! The day ended with four young children in the projects across the street. Just as I was about to pull out on Baby, a little girl waved at me. I waved back and to my horror - she started running to me to hug me - all while the kickstand was up and the bike was running. Here were four children that all they wanted to do was to see my bike. I got off Baby and told them about the dangers of the bike and how it can get very hot. Then, one by one, each child hugged me, gear, helmet and all. My only regret - I had no pencils with me! They were all in Jose's car!!! So hopefully, I will see them again tomorrow. I told them to come in and ask for Gray Lady Riders!

Here's to finding the children willing to half the pencil!!!!

Almost one year....

It has been a while since I have posted - well, REALLY posted. I started to wonder why I had stopped updating this. Truth be told, I felt I was talking/posting to myself. I get the feeling that GLR is no longer interesting. But why? Is it because we were riding through all of these great and magical places? And now we are not? Is it because for those short few weeks, people could live their dreams vicariously through us? Was it that while we were trying to find the community or children that would be able to use our school supplies to raise themselves up to a new level, that those that followed us were more interested in the ride itself? Worse yet, can I include myself in the same group? I would like to think not, but I did wonder, then I realized something - I am still riding. Just not on a bike. Now, like so many others of you that have been following me, I'm riding the ride of life!

I am in England, going to work every day into London (well, occasionally I work from home..), I ride a train that takes me from a small village (Kintbury) into London where from my break room, I can see Big Ben, the House of Parliament and the Thames river. But the best part are the people that I work with. They too are working to share the dream, but on such a greater scale than just that of backpacks, school supplies and pencils. Comic Relief's vision is "A just world - free of poverty" and now, I'm helping them to achieve that! And, I am hoping that in some small way - Gray Lady Riders will also be able to help.

For now, I will be focusing on what I see and do here, not just from a work perspective, but from the amazing place called the UK. Oh, I'm still looking for those that will break the pencil in half, so is Jose, and others as well. But for now, until we find that child or children, I will entertain you with what it is like to be in the UK, bikeless, yet still riding life!

Until my next post
Shiny Side Up!

RoadRunner