I am participating in Project Hero's "Ride Inside" Ride on August 22 in support of injured veterans and first responders. We are coming together for a fun, virtual 30-mile ride to help provide recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration services to healing heroes across the country. There are thousands of veterans and first responders who deeply rely on Project Hero's life-changing programs that improve their mental and physical health and wellness. Please donate to my page and help us save lives by restoring hope and purpose for those who have served.

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I rode with these folks once before - after doing the AIDS lifecycle, I found their ride and joined them for the first day, from Sunnyvale, to Palo Alto, to Gilroy.  I figured I just rode 545 miles a couple of months ago, no need to train for this one. Plus they had different groups based on speed ranges, so I could hang out in Charlie at a 12-15 mph clip. We had police escorts at the beginning of the ride that would stop traffic at intersections so we didn't have to stop. They were replaced by motorcycle clubs later on. I thought it was great, until I realized I could use a little breather at a stop light every now and then. One veteran, that had lost his legs below his knees was in our group and I would pass him up hills, but he would go flying by me on the downhills. The only comfort I felt, was that the Charlie group leads said they were so excited, they couldn't pace properly and that's why we were averaging somewhere between 16 and 17 mph. I don't ride a road bike. When we got to Gilroy, I stayed on my bike for a while, afraid of the cramps that would seize up on me if I tried to get off the bike. I've wanted to do other honor rides, but its never really fit the schedule. In these crazy times, schedules are pretty open. I am happy to be fundraising for them again.