Riding through the Salinas Valley - the Salad Bowl of California. Artichokes, Broccoli, Celery, Cauliflower, Dill, Endive, Fennel, Garlic, Grapes, Head Lettuce, Jalapeno Peppers, Kale, Leaf Lettuce, Mushrooms, Nuts, Olives, Parsley...Roamine...Strawberries.... and on and on...whole fields of each..for miles and miles.
So this is where all those California vegetables come from.
Beautiful fields with majestic mountains as a backdrop. I have a new appreciation for veggies. It is much hotter away from the ocean. But the sky is blue and not a cloud to be seen. Glorious!
The ride is not just about AIDS and raising money. It is also about changing the world with kindness. Human.Kind. - Be Both is a phrase that is echoed on T-shirts and in bicyclists' behaviour. When I stop to take a picture and apply sun screen, at least a hundred passing cyclists slow down and say "everything OK?"... "need help?"..."you all right?" While cycling, shouts of "passing left", "hole ahead", "glass on road", "car up", "car back", "door on right" and other warnings...become second nature. Everyone is looking out for everyone else. We started as 2800 individual riders and now we are a tribe. A tribe known as CA AIDS RIDE.
Inspirational messages pop up at pit stops, reminding us that dreams ARE obtainable and the impossible isn't accomplished by cynics. "We are not human beings on a spiritual journey, we are spiritual beings on a human journey".
At Greenfield, a day care with 3, 4 and 5 year olds, march across the field with cookies and Rice Krispie squares and a sign that reads "Thank You for Caring So Much. We Know You Can Do It"
They are all so EXCITED to meet real, live AIDS riders. I can't help but think ten or fifteen years ago, kids were run out of there schools for fear of AIDS. Now kids are baking cookies for AIDS riders. This ride is about raising awareness just as much as raising money.
