Why just ride

when you can ride for a cause instead?

So I keep trying to make this Ride Ataxia ride every year, but for a variety of reasons, it hasn't worked out (for example, one year it went from Portland to Seattle in March. Right.). This year, they are re-working their rides and doing small rides more frequently. They are wildly successful at raising money for the little-known, debilitating disease called Ataxia (specifically, Friedrich's Ataxia).

I've been wanting to support this ride/fund-raiser for several years to show support for my dear Uncle Tom (there he is on the left there circa 197?) who has had Ataxia for 25+ years, and an old friend who was recently diagnosed. It's a sad scary disease with not much of a spotlight on it that has life-changing (and life-shortening) effects.

This year, Ride Ataxia's NorCal ride is a two-day, 100-mile ride from Sacramento to Grass Valley. Fabulous, right? Starts in my backyard, loops around to end in my backyard. How perfect is that? Well let me tell you how perfect: this year, the ride is May 15-16. That means it is the weekend before the 4-day, 330 mile NorCal AIDS Challenge, which I am also riding. Hmmm. That would be 430 miles in one week. Hmmmm.
Aw, why not?

Okay, I'll tell you why not. Because it sounds insane to me! I opted for a compromise. I asked the Ride Ataxia folks if I could join them for the first day, and then go home when I'm done riding (not eat/camp). So -- 50 miles on Saturday, rest and pack on Sunday, then get ready to start off on the great NorCal AIDS Challenge adventure! Phew.

You can check out the Ride Ataxia info here. Feel free to pass the word. Unfortunately, with all of my time and effort going toward NCAC, Ride Ataxia is feeling neglected. I guess I only have so much charity in me.