Mad Tom Road – A Sestina about Touring in Vermont.

Dusk faded into darkness


On that grueling ride, on Mad Tom Road

It was the hardest I have ever climbed

The hardest this forty-eight year old body has ever been pushed

In the Vermont Green Mountains, sixty-five miles into the day, we were lost

Yet, we persevered and the company of each other buoyed our spirits



In the black night I felt the woodland Spirits

Peering at the lone riders in the darkness

Yet, I was not afraid, and optimism was not lost

Our directions said “continue on” Mad Tom Road

But we had reached a “T” and had to choose – right or left, up or down -- so onward we pushed

Taking the left, we continued and upward we climbed



How difficult this steep hill was that we climbed

Yet, unlike the depression that pulls down my spirits

This challenge of being pushed

In the darkness

On a deserted tree lined, country road

Did not drag me down – hope was not lost




Yet, we were hopelessly lost

Off the bicycles, walking, we still climbed

Until we saw some lights along the road

So guided by Spirits

We followed the lights up the long driveway and out of the darkness

Not knowing what awaited us as onward we pushed



Toward the end, where there stood a small house, each pedal stroke we slowly pushed

A man greeted us with “Howdy, how are you?” I replied. “Lost!”

We stood in the darkness

Were told that needlessly we had climbed

Even so, we were not defeated and held onto our adventurous Spirits

And so, we descended, disbelievingly, down the steep gravel road.



A tangent, a diversion, a mistake was that Mad Tom Road

Yet our meddle was tested, our bodies and minds pushed

And we reveled in the strength of our Spirits

The challenging of being lost

Is how to find yourself – and we did, and climbed

Out of the darkness



Our Spirits as we travel life’s road

Can descend into darkness, yet there are times when we are pushed

Where we see that all is not lost and there is purpose, albeit spiritual, for the mountains climbed.

Another Harbor to the Bay AIDS Ride September 25th, 2010

Dear Family and Friends:


As many of you know, I have ridden the Harbor to the Bay Ride for AIDS charities for the past three years. This year will be my fourth. I ride this charity ride for many reasons. First, I know that we are still battling AIDS on all fronts – medical, educational, and social. Although many people have become complacent about AIDS, perhaps due to the fact that there are better treatments and people are living longer, it is still an illness that takes lives. As a mother of a sixteen year old, I worry about the possible impact of AIDS on her life. I know she needs to be educated and aware to act responsibly and be safer and although I can talk with her and do, I also feel it is critical to support organizations who work to educate youth.

Secondly, I ride in memory of my friends who have died of AIDS. I lived in San Francisco when the epidemic first emerged. At the time, there was a lack of information, no treatments, and lots of fear. I became an AIDS educator and shared the increasing knowledge of the disease as well as safer sex and drug use practices. I took care of friends as they became sick and died. It was a devastating time. I ride for these friends – to say I have not forgotten you.

Thirdly, I ride because I can. I may not be able to endow a foundation like a Carnegie, but I can ride and do my little part to make the world better.

So, again I am asking you to contribute to my ride if you can. I know there are many good causes to support and that money is tight for everyone. I just ask that you consider supporting me and this cause in whatever way you can.

If you can donate to my ride, you can do so online by going to my Harbor to the Bay homepage: https://www.harbortothebay.org/personal.asp?ID=618 Or if you prefer, you can download a form and send in your donation by going to harbortothebay.org and clicking on “donate” from the menu on the left of the page. I am rider #51.

Unlike many charity events where a percentage of the money raised goes to overhead, in this ride a 100% of the funds go directly to the service and research organizations.

Please know that I am not fond of either group letters or asking my closest family and friends for money. However, I believe that this is a worthy cause and that the money raised makes a difference. Another way you can support me, is to forward this letter to your family and friends who you think would be interested and willing to donate. As always, I am so grateful for all the support that you all give me in my life!

Blessings,

Pata