This was our core group of Orlando area riders in training for the AIDS Ride. Most of us were complete beginners in cycling, and had never dreamed of anything like tackling 300 miles in 3 days.

As a group, we met weekly and rode up to 75 miles a day. A few of us hung together and we'd get together on our own to ride another 25-50 miles.

And, we each had 6 months to raise $1,400 in donations. I was shocked that 50 people believed in me enough to turn this dream into a reality!