On this day that we commemorate the 2000 year old saga of another epic journey I want to express the spirit of giving this season. I am especially grateful for the support I’ve received ever since this began, and would like to give something back to those of you who have motivated and inspired me to continue on this journey.
I would like to collect submissions of what inspires you, particularly surrounding our recent election. They can be brief reflections, poetry etc.
The top two submissions will receive a free Biking for Obama T-shirt! The submission standards are as follows:
- 1-3 paragraphs, no more than 1000 words (Lets keep it concise)
- Topics range from your thoughts on Obama, America, Cycling, Hope.
- Submit your thoughts in the form of a reply/comment to this blog entry.
There it is, simple enough no?! The winners will be announced this Saturday, December 27th.
Merry Christmas to you all, I pray that you all enjoy the spirit of this season and wish for you nothing but love, peace and joy to your family and friends.
Departing December 2, 2008
Arrival: January 20, 2009
on Dec 25th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
In 2004, the US had just reelected its current president, yet the country was divided and wounded, not knowing whether it was headed east or west.
In 2006, I went on a bike ride, 1000 miles away from my home, down from Natchez, MS, the site of slave markets. I themed the ride, Rode Down the River, riding away from the negative connotations of slavery. I was wounded, out in the wilderness, going through a long, bitter divorce, watching the air of my entire livelihood dissiminate under the puncture of this sharp nail in the road.
But like slavery, bad times come and they go. We make it through the hope, the faith of a mustard seed that we have as individuals and as a nation. Because in the mist of the 2004 election, there was a Senator from Ill, who gave a speech that gave us the hope for change; In the mist of 2006 and the divorce, I had my small children to offer hope for a brighter future.
And now we stand blessed with hope realized. The 44th President has planted those mustard seeds in the hearts of most Americans. I have made it through and lived to ride another day. I am continually being blessed–a KONA Major Jake, cyclocross bike is waiting on me, on layaway, $300 off the regular price. Now I can go back on the road again in 2009. And that road will be be litttered with the seeds of hope and change that I hope all Americans are inspired to join President Obama, Ryan, and myself on, as we journey into the New American Century!
on Dec 25th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
To Ryan and the cyclist: I am a Registerd Dietitian and Sports Nutritionist. If you can find some Chia seeds from a health food store, buy them. You soak them in warm water for 15 min. and it forms a gel. Add the gel to sports drinks and the water swollen will keep you HELP prevent dehydration, as you can probably never drink enough fluids to keep you going for that long. Just a helpful tip!
on Dec 26th, 2008 at 12:21 am
You are an inspiration.
I will never forget the day you walked into my office and told me “man I am about to do something crazy!” I would have never imagined what you were about to tell me. “I am so inspired by the recent events with Obame becoming president that I am gonna ride my bike to D.C. for the innaugaration.” My initial thought was “huh? you are about to do what?” but it sunk in right away “yeah you can do it!” I was like “wow!! thats cool bro so what can we do for you? I was on a pink cloud at that time too after Obamas nomination but what you were about to set out and do was even more inspiration on top of that. As each day passes I find myself telling more and more people about your journey and sharing your blogs and your website so we can all see for ourselves that if we put our minds to something we can do whatever we set our minds to do! Thats why you are a great inspiration Ryan. Thank you for what you are doing! Thanks to our higher power and for all the great supporters that have shown themselves to you too! Peace and Blessings my Bortheres Keeper!!
Sean
on Dec 26th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
We forgot to get your phone number. Keep in touch. I emailed Oprah today. Keep peddlimg!!!
on Dec 26th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Hope.
What is it. It is the start of today. I have learned in 2008, at the age of 46, that it is something I can not live without. Without Hope, I would have given up. If I did not truly believe that a change could/would come, I would have thrown in the towel at least twice this year. On the afternoon of November 4, 2008, on my drive home from work, I almost gave up hope. As the polls started to close, I became tearful, and started to lose hope. I kept trying to tell myself that it didn’t matter who won, my trust was in God, who provides for us all anyway…….but I held on to that tiny, tiny bit of, can we really change……can this really happen……Barack Obama, President. Hope.
It happened. He won. Yet I remain hopeful. I still can’t make it without this thing called Hope. It is not just hope for our country, but hope for the world. Hope that we can all become better human beings. Hope that we will love and care for each other just a little bit more.
Your ride across America brings hope. Your optimism brings joy to my soul. It makes me proud to know you and join you in this journey of Hope/Change/Life.
Godspeed Ryan.
Belinda Heard
on Dec 27th, 2008 at 5:51 am
just some random thoughts…
Biking is a journey. Like the past eight years, our own individual lives, or the things we hope to accomplish in life, Obama has been on a journey. There is a distinct parallel biking across our beautiful country and everything it has taken to get to January 20.
I’m personally inspired by Ryan, who I feel is building extended awareness to the importance of this inauguration.
God Bless you, Ryan. And I feel like you represent me and our whole generation. Thank you.
Tom