Nationwide Christopher’s Ride
May
26
26 May 2008, Dawn Schmidt Ventimiglia @ 8:07 am

We’ve got a friend who is living with cancer. His will to fight and to live life to the fullest is enormous, and he maintains a sense of humor and purpose which amazes me.

Christopher is a fellow rider, and I met him (and his wonderful wife, Ingrid), through an online motorcycling forum a while back (hondashadow.net); we were priviledged to meet them in person last year when they came through our area in their RV. Christopher’s stories and unique sense of humor kept us in stitches during the visit.

Christopher has been so grateful for the emotional support he’s received when he most needs it, and wanted to help pass that support on to others who need it. Thus, the Nationwide Christopher’s Ride. I’ve copied and pasted Christopher’s own words from our bike forum for you to read here. PLEASE consider the many people that you know who could use a healthy dose of emotional support in their time of need, and take a ride for them on July 20th, 2008!

Here’s the info from Chris:
“To My Fellow HSN Members.

I have been wanting to do something for people who are suffering from a debilitating disease such as cancer, leukemia, diabetes, etc. Our biker community currently has so many organized rides for charities that setting up one more I felt would be just one more ride to raise money. I wanted to hit the emotional end of things - to lend emotional support to someone who is fighting a courageous battle. I wanted a ride that was personal, that was done for one individual who is close to the bikers heart.

I know first hand just what it means to fight a disease while having friends who are there thinking of you and supporting you emotionally. It makes a HUGE difference in maintaining your will to fight on. This forum group is a perfect example.

With this in mind I have been kicking an idea around for a very long time and felt ” it is time ” to launch this idea, this year. And why not start the ball rolling with the HSN gang. So here it is.

Christopher’s Ride:

On Sunday, July 20th 2008 the Nationwide Christopher’s Ride will take place. Unlike other rides motorcyclists participate in, the benefactor in the Christopher’s Ride will be the person the BIKER selects. It can be a family member, friend, co-worker or anyone you know and want to select who is battling a debilitating disease. You can ride 10 miles or 500 miles. It is up to you, the Biker. It can be performed solo or in a group with other members of your ride party all riding for someone close to them.

If you do not have anyone close to you that has a debilitating disease then consider riding for a child who is in a hospital pediatrics unit in your home town. Maybe buy a teddy bear, strap it onto your pillion and take it on the ride with you and then later present it to the child explaining just where that bear rode with you to.

If you want to make a donation to a charity after your ride, select the charity that you want to support and send them a check with a note. If you want this to be a non monetary ride, then ride for them to provide emotional support only. Consider taking a picture during or after your ride and send it to them with a note letting them know this ride was for them.

There are no guidelines in regards to Christopher’s Ride except that it is in support of an individual and not a charity. We also ask that if your riding solo, put down the rear pegs and take them with you ( in spirit ).

The whole purpose and intent of the Christopher’s Ride is to share your love of biking with someone who is fighting a horrible disease. It is a way to give an individual a moment of freedom that we all experience while riding.

Fire up your bikes and Take a Christopher’s Ride on July 20th.

Thank you,

Christopher”

_Christopher on his beautiful bike!
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Additional words from Christopher:

“I thought about this a long time ago, but it was Jim Mann who gave me the final kick in the butt to get this going. A while back he posted that he took a ride and did it for me when I was to sick to ride. It really made me feel so good inside to know someone was thinking of me and taking me along with them for a ride. To someone fighting horrible diseases, our days are filled with pain, sickness, chemo, meds and Doctors / Hospital visits. Many of us cannot ride and many more will never be able to ride. Through you, they can at least be a part of the biker community.

By having one person think of you during your battles and making it special by riding just for you, it provides an escape from the daily war with diseases. It gives you something money and donations cannot give you……hope and the will to fight on.

I know what it meant for me and wanted to encourage other bikers to put a smile on someones face and make them feel special by doing nothing more then saying ‘This rides for you.’ ”
____________________________
(source: hondashadow.net forum)

So folks, be grateful for each day that you can throw a leg over your steed and roll down the road, and remember to take a ride to support someone who needs it on July 20th, 2008!
Keep the shiny side up,
EclecticDawn



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