Re: Py's story and path to SBRA    -   Submitted:  Mon, 03/30/2009

I read Py's story. But unlike I was raised and lived here on Long Island, from a child to my 49 year young age now. I did a lot of riding as a teenage here on Long Island. I grow up in Huntington Station and I would ride to Jone Beach and back, just for the fun of it, as a teenager. The longest ride as a teenage, I remember tobe around 60 + miles. Then with my 1st car and job. I stop riding,, and time and life went on, till. In 2005 I bought a Trek Hybrib and started riding again. In 2006 I join the SBRA, started riding with, Joe Matzelle, Bill Pope, and others. In 2007 my father gave me a old road bike he had in the shed, and I cleaned it up and started to ride that bike on club rides. I enjoyed my 2007 riding season, riding both bikes, but not at the same time. - In 2008 I bought a new road bike that I ride as much as I can. In 2008 I learned a important lesson from my father. He lives in VT and started a motorcycle (off road club) the CCCofVT. I was up there for the 4th of July week, and he had an event that his club was helping to sponsor that weekend. I help him out that weekend at Edward Farm HairScram. That Sat. evening he mentioned that of all the members in his club, there are only 10% of the members that actual help out, for his events or for volunteer when asked. I enjoy riding in the club rides and on my own too. It has become a way of life, just thinking of the next ride. Some rides are about where I'm going and other are about the people I ride with. But in all I think its when we all pull together, we can do amazing thing. I helped last years with the Guide Dog ride, I missed doing the ride, but the feeling at the end of the day, of helping out for a good cause was more mental fulfilling, then the actual ride might have been. This year I'm looking to help out more, where I can, and what I can do. I'm actual inspirered by Py's story and what he's done for the club. I know I couldn't do what he he has done, but what we do for the club is important for use all, when we volunteer or time to something that we enjoy. I see it as a labor of love, and not just a thing we do. These are all things I have learn from being a member of the club, and seeing the changes taking place. Some things take time and patient to get done. We all reap the rewards of what others have done for or club, when in turn we all should help out to carry the load too. To conclude, I lived a better life, seen more of the life around Long Island, being a rider, and member of this club. I will feel proud to support and volunteer where I can.

Steven Atwood