Hill Country Ride for AIDS - exciting news

Hi there - in case you have missed all my prattling on about the Hill Country Ride for AIDS, let me fill you in. Currently, the HCRA is a 1-day event that raises money for 10 local AIDS organizations. (In previous years, it was longer, starting out as a 2 day event) In nine years, our riders and volunteers have raised over 2.5 million dollars. Some ride to honor loved ones. Others ride to support friends and family living with AIDS. Some ride just to do something big to help our neighbors in need. All riders leave with an experience they will never forget. There us a route for everyone on the Hill Country Ride. The main route is ~ 50 miles, with the choice of the Olympic Extension, which adds an additional ~ 20 miles, and the choice of a shorter 10 mile route, that lets you choose how far you want to ride. The route is fully supported, with Pit Stops every 15 to 20 miles, and SAG support all along the route. All levels, from very beginners to serious cyclists, have fun on the Hill Country Ride for AIDS.

And when they say "support", they're not kidding. If you get in trouble, someone will be along shortly - if they aren't there already. There are people to tell you about low water crossings, show you where to turn, help you cross major roads, and cheer you up the bad hills.

So, it says in the title, "exciting news". Your diarist just happens to be the top fundraiser for the Ride! This has never happened before - I'm usually a middle-of-the-pack person fundraising-wise (riding-wise, while I'm not the last rider in, I'm probably second to last). Anyway, I wanted to share this news with my friends in the blogoshpere. And yes, I am still seeking donations. The Ride is at 50% of their goal, and folks will probably be turning lots of donations at the last minute, but these are organizations the help people with really basic needs - meds, food, rent, legal help, dental care, etc. Donations go to direct services to people in the Austin/Travis County area, so please donate if you can.

The Ride's main page:
http://www.hillcountryride.org/...

my page:

http://www.hillcountryride.org/...