A Fellow Lady Rider - Long Distance and Solo

I recently found out about a lady who did something like what I did this summer. We both went alone - we both went many thousands of miles - we both did it to honor our parents - we were both trying to raise money for charity - we both found our lives changed.

Here is a picture and a little from an article on D J Jones, founder of the Posey Foundation which raises money to help against heart disease. Since my Grandmother, mother and brother all died of stroke and/or heart attack - I recognize her need to help. And I certainly identify with her ride since she did 25,000 this year, with only a short couple of months off for a broken ankle. Yes she beat my 20,226 miles, but we had different goals. Her's was to hit all 50 states; mine was to do a minimum of 20,000. The point is we both followed our dreams, did what most would never try and were both successful by completing our rides.


Excerpts from an article on DJ:
Publication:Special Sections; Date:Dec 24, 2006; Section:Boomer; Page Number:13
LIFESTYLES
A LONG HAUL
Biker undeterred despite reaction to her cross-country trip on behalf of foundation
BY RICK NATHANSON Journal Staff Writer

It isn’t the America that D.J. Jones had hoped to find. She thought the public would quickly embrace someone’s solo cross-country motorcycle journey to raise awareness and money for heart disease and childhood cancers.

Instead, this 48-year-old, 6-foot-tall black woman with riding leathers, a hip-hugging hunting knife and an enormous motorcycle nicknamed “Big Bertha” was met with suspicion and subtle racism.

“It was devastating to me,” says Jones. “I felt like I was getting sand kicked in my face on a daily basis. I got such raw emotion from people because I was so different.”

A self-described “postmenopausal woman on a mission,” Jones is also a former college basketball player, rock ’n roll band singer, personal trainer and competitive body-builder.

Though her motorcycle trip was disappointing in many ways, she turned the marathon ride into a journey of personal enlightenment and got her message across to those few who were open to hearing it.

Before departing, she founded the nonprofit Posey Foundation in honor of her parents, both of whom died from heart disease. The foundation also focuses attention on pediatric cancers, Jones’ tribute to a family friend whose granddaughter survived brain cancer.
... “I wanted to at least finish the trip, and by my actions set an example that if you start something to see it through. But I also wanted to deliver the message that life doesn’t always turn out like you want it to.

“Sometimes you have to change directions, but as long as you can dream it and see it, you can achieve it.”

Check out her site: www.poseyfoundation.com and go read the entire article.

NOTE FROM ROBIN...I can understand her disappointment. We both had an idealistic approach to our rides - both thought that if we did something so incredible that we would be able to spread the word and inspire people to step up and help those she and I knew needed it. Well - we both believe in following your dreams no matter what, and neither one of us gave up no matter how hard it got.

Two ladies from different lives breaking the mold and going beyond...I love it! Thanks D J!