I dont know what to say

OK blog world.  Mid week blog.  Need to right now.
Tonight has been interesting.  A couple things have happened.  One to share, one for the old pen and paper. That is why I have a personal journal as well.  No offense followers, but some things aren't meant to go public on the world wide web.
Here is the shared moment.

I am having a surreal moment. A few blogs ago I mentioned that I had dinner with my employee, who is the most amazing guy you can meet, who is also my coach for my personal fitness but more importantly my cycling coach, and oh yeah, an Olympian.  Yeah, he competed in Barcelona. 

This man is completely humble.  No one even knew he was an Olympian until he slipped one day.  He is just nonchalant about it.  Well, he wanted to motivate me so he gave me his binder of memories to read.  It has newspaper upon newspaper article about him in it.  He was a monster (in a good way)! He was passionate and dedicated and a freaking Olympian.  As I sat there reading it, I just became awed.  Awed that he worked hard, trained hard, dedicated his life to a passion and got to a level dreamed of by many.  And yes, awed that he was an Olympian. But at the same time I was more awed that a man who has much to brag about is so amazingly humble, honest, hard working, dedicated individuals ever.  And he has been a solid amazing coach to me.  He is a fantastic father, friend to many and wants to live and have others live the best life ever. Being an Olympic athlete isn't about being an Olympic athlete for that moment when you are there.  It is about the journey and how you change your life and those around you through what you do. And man is he changing my life right now.  He is making me a better man and I thank him for that.

It also makes me reflect on this ride.  This truly is bigger than me. Through a few conversations I had throughout today, I realized what this ride means to me.  And I am the reason and far from the reason.  I know that sounds odd, of course I have reasons to do this ride.  I wanted to get healthy, loose weight, partake in an event and meet new people, do good for my community and help educate through this ride that HIV/AIDS still exists.  And Ricardo, friend and mentor whom passed but is not forgotten.  But through conversations today, I learned even more why I am doing this ride (yes friends, I teared up again) and it is truly bigger than me.  I am going to post to FB right now to ask for donations, and will link to this blog.  I hope that those who can give will. And if your not impacted by HIV/AIDS directly, you are now.  Your reading my blog :)

Please take a look at the link below to learn more about one of the two places that are receiving funds from this ride.  This is bigger than me. It's bigger than you.

http://www.sfaf.org/

Till Next time
~Ricky