First off, I love to ride my bike. It makes me feel strong and I love challenging myself. Because I have sloth-like tendencies, this type of organized, “forced,” “others are depending on you,” training situation works well to motivate me.
Secondly, doing something to benefit others makes me feel good about myself. I was definitely raised with the mentality of “it is the right thing to do,” and “we are so blessed, we should do something/anything to help others that are not as fortunate.”
I love the fact that DaVita, a for-profit company that makes money providing dialysis services, is sponsoring a fundraiser to help put them out of business! How cool is that?! It lets me know that this company really believes in its mission and core values…and that is something I am proud to be part of. I know we all love and care for our patients, but wouldn’t it be awesome if they didn’t need us? If we could prevent kidney disease instead of treat it?
Thirdly, I could stand to drop a few pounds. My problem is…I love to eat. I am not one of those whiney people who says all I eat is a celery stick and I gain weight. Give me the hard stuff!! So, when I am training and sweating and putting in those long hours on a bike seat, I know I can knock out a Denny’s “Grand Slam” breakfast and still lose weight (refer to the first paragraph: sloth-like tendencies).
Finally, I think the whole thing sounds like a blast! (Which some people think makes me mentally unstable). Being outdoors, riding the beautiful Natchez Trace, camping, enjoying Mother Nature with a whole bunch of DaVita bike riding enthusiasts…it sure beats being on a conference call!!!
So that is why I am here: to do something that makes me feel good on the inside and out! It is a win-win situation.
August 7, 2007 at 7:58 pm
It’s a win-win situation for Tour DaVita as well to have you take part! Thanks for your blog, it is very inspiring.
August 7, 2007 at 8:55 pm
Amazing! The tour, the fundraising, and now the blog! Thanks for the opportunity to share our experience and joy of doing all these!
I joined for the great cause of raising funds and helping people live better. But with training and preparation way in advance, I have so many more reasons – making more friends, feeling like Lance Armstrong (with my clip-on shoes and waring an aerodynamic helmet of course), and being so proud to be part of a village that gives so much back to the community and sends ripples with so many different events!
August 7, 2007 at 9:31 pm
Hello Fellow Davitans!
When I first signed up, I thought “How am I going to prepare for this?” I went to a bike shop, spent a good bit of money on safety equipment, and started jumping on my bike as much as possible. I’m up to about 20 miles daily easily and am finally riding up hills in our beautiful Alleghany mountains of Virginia without having to walk my bike. My difficulty is not being able to ride in the rain or days when work or family duties keep me off the road.
As I ride, I think about my patients, both alive and deceased. I rode to the home of one of my patients who died recently and visited with his wife. We cried together over her loss and before I left, she expressed how the programs provided by the Kidney Trust could have possibly helped her husband be diagnosed earlier. As I left her house, I felt even more compelled to gather support for the TRUST and our kidney community.
I thank God for KT sponsoring the Tour Davita and the Kidney Trust. I thank God for my health which allows me to participate and for traveling mercies. Last but not least, I thank God for all of my friends, co-workers and community members who have contributed to the ride. I look forward to meeting my co-riders in September.
The MOOOOOVING Social Worker from Virginia,
Dawn
August 8, 2007 at 5:34 pm
I really enjoyed reading the blog and knowing there are fellow teammates out there suffering as well. I live in Indiana so I really appreciate your comments on the humidity!!! I am very proud to be part of the Tour and to know that we are all helping other people live better lives, and benefiting ourselves as well. This really will be a ride of a lifetime, and I’m sure it will bring a lifetime of change for all involved…..
MILES OF SMILE:)
August 8, 2007 at 5:57 pm
You are definitely taking one for the team. What a wonderful experience and I am glad you get to share it with all of us. Cool, that I can live vicariously through you.
August 9, 2007 at 1:24 pm
Wow, Dawn, what a story! It kind of makes me wish I worked in a clinic. (I’m in Team Liberty)
Thanks for the blog, we can get to know each other through e-conversation before the ride
Looking forward to meeting everyone, making memories and best of all…..a difference!
Kathleen
August 9, 2007 at 2:57 pm
Ride on Fellow Davitans,
Being an IT guy, I don’t get to have the contact with the patients that the others do, but I get to have an effect on many more patients lives by doing what I do. By testing the software programs that are used in the clinics to the highest possible standard and trying to give the clinics the best possible product. Being a part of this Tour DaVita will allow me to get to know and understand so much more of the people in this Moving Village.
I’ve been training near the area of the Tour and some of the training has been brutal; the flat tires, the hills, the sore muscles, but it has also amazed me. The amazing part has been the amount of support and enthusiasm that I’ve seen from my co-workers, family and friends.
I’m sure as 200+ riders go down any street on this ride, the excitement will be contagious. I can hardly wait.
(Old Guy on a Bike)
August 9, 2007 at 10:45 pm
Hello Mary and all fellow riders,
I am also a part of the Lone Star riders. So far I have done 45 miles at the Katy Flatlands and I also did 45 miles at the Mosquito festival. I was wondering if there are any opportunities to geat with other riders from the Houston area for some training rides. I live in Montgomery and we have a few rolling hills to practice on. I am more than a little nervous because I am sure the hills out here are nothing like that which we will be seeing on Tour DaVita. Anyone interested in getting together for a ride can contact me at (936) 494-5519.
Good Luck to All!
Frank Puffer
August 10, 2007 at 6:28 pm
Wow. Reading all of the blogs, I am so impressed by all of you and your individual commitments – not to mention also very proud to be a part of a Company that not only talks the talk – but walks the walk. Though very grueling, I’m sure, from the sounds of it, you all will have a GREAT time. You all are in my prayers for personal successes as the days progress.
May God bless your efforts and our Company for “doing the right thing.”
Susie