Sprained Ankle won't keep me down!!

Hello Friends,

A few updates on the Bike Rally training and fund-raising. I had a little hitch last Thursday, which has slightly affected my training. I sprained my ankle walking on a lawn at night. I know that doesn't say much about my coordination or athletic abilities, but I assure you that I am taking care of the ankle and it is a thousand times better than it was Thursday or Friday. It looked like someone had implanted a baseball in my ankle, but with careful attention, icing and elevation of the foot, it is now well on the way to being back to normal. I hope within a weeks time, that I will be able to do a moderate ride.

On the fund-raising front, I am so proud and happy to say that I have reached 84% of my fund-raising goal in only 4 weeks! With your generous and kind support, I have raised $2925.00 and believe that the Support will continue to pour in, and that I will surpass the original $3500.00 goal I had set. I have realized through this process, the amazing kindness of friends, strangers and family. Truly, from my heart, I would like to say Thank you. To have your Support means a great deal to me and you can only imagine what this means for those who will benefit from your donations. You are all stars in my eyes and rock my world!

Thank you with Gratitude!
Alex

New Old Bike

I have a used road bike that I may purchase off a very good friend. He was kind enough to allow me to take it to test, train, and even ride it for the Summer, before I made my decision. I was worried about training on my heavy Norco hybrid, but now have a LeMond Road bike. It's sized at 54, but looks and feels right. I am going to get the pedals and shoes this week and will give it a go. It doesn't have that crunched compact feeling of a lo of the new bikes. This is longer and fits my 6 foot 1 frame well. I'll post a picture of her when I am ready, but need to get other stuff done now. I'm doing some further research on Century rides and building up and training for that. My friend Ken, who so happens to be the same person who proffered his bike to me, is also a gear head and suggested I look or pick up the magazine "Get Out There". You can go online and find the article for Century training at http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1myo2/GetOutThereMagazineM/resources/index.htm?referrerUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.yudu.com%2Fitem%2Fdetails%2F132590%2FGet-Out-There-Magazine-March-April-2010-East-Edition

Lots to do. Lots to prep. Very excited. I want to go out on the streets to ride but it's still raining. I've also raised $1,630.00 already. I am shocked, flabbergasted and downright glowing happy for all the support and encouragement. I have a few cheques and cash receipts to submit this week to PWA, but may even consider "upping" my Goal to see how much I can raise.

Thank you again everyone!!

Gratitude and Thanks!

I am very thankful and appreciative to all those who have helped with my PWA (People Living With AIDS) Bike Rally Fundraiser this Year. I've raised just over $1630.00 and you have all been an inspiration, whether through monetary and/or verbal gifts. All are accepted with gratitude, as I couldn't do this without the both.... All the kind words, encouragement and verbal support have added all that more determination to my cause! I mentioned earlier that anyone over $100.000 donation would be be entered into a raffle draw for a personal painting, but I have been so overwhelmed by the response, that I am donating another painting for donations under $100.00. Those who donate $99 or less will be added to a raffle to also win a painting, as well..

I haven't chosen the piece as yet, but will post soon.

You people ROCK my world!! Kindness and generosity truly do extend further than one can imagine!

See More http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=816619&LangPref=en-CA

Some Videos of the Friends for Life Bike Rally: A documentary.

I wanted to provide a little history and the reason why I have chosen to do this ride. The following 3 videos are part of a documentary of the Bike Rally. Some of our riders are skilled cyclists; however, the Bike Rally has men and women of all backgrounds participating, from the ages of 18 to 70, joint in their passion to support their friends and loved ones. In its twelfth year, the Bike Rally is one of the most well-organized, safe, and inclusive events in Canada. There are more than 18,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in Toronto, approximately one quarter of Canada's HIV-positive population. The need is great and the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation (PWA) provides practical information and support services, such as a food bank, health promotion, and treatment programs. The Friends For Life Bike Rally supports PWA and helps to raise over half of its annual operating budget.

Please help pledge and support me Online by clicking HERE and as part of my incentive to you, I will be donating a personal painting to be raffled off to those who contribute $100.00 or more. For each $100 donation you will get one ticket entered for the raffle. The 30 x 40 Gallery style painting is called "Red Rhapsody" and is valued at $880.00. The painting and its specifications can be found at my website www.alexanderjwu.com.