Day 4: July 17 From Faribault to Richfield Closing Ceremony

After a big breakfast and a stretch from "Dr. Chad," I hit the road by 6:55 a.m. for our 55 mile trek home. We peddled 14 miles from Faribault to our first pit stop at Riverside Lions Park in Northfield. Greeted by German Barmaids (Marta, Friedrik, Liesl, Gustav and Helga), Pit Stop One recreated the likeness of a German Pub titled "Hofbrau Haus." Amusingly captivating, these hospitable fraus kept everyone laughing and our bottles filled. German Gatorade anyone?

As the weather got hotter, Mother Nature finally blessed us with some awesome tail winds. Riding 13 miles to Evergreen Knoll Park in Farmington, we came upon a theme of Gods and Goddesses in Pit Stop Two with the alluring Kate Gigli and Carter Averbeck morphing into human statues, Aphrodite (all chalky white), and Thor (all bronzed with wings). Call it performance art: first statue-still, making you wonder, are they real? Then robotic with twisting motions that teased and dazzled adults and kids. This brilliant pair made for a must have photo opportunity. Carter, you have truly outdone yourself here. Stunning perfection!

The inventive Averbeck and Gigli weren't the only ones standing still. A train stalled, backing up riders for eight minutes just outside of Pit Two. The ‘rolling burrito’, Chipotle, offered a final grab n' go in between the 15 miles we traveled to get to Pit Stop Three at Clearwater Park in Eagan. At the pit, SJA's Youth Band performed some hip rock n' punk tunes by covering some of The White Stripes, The Ramones and classic AC/DC to name a few. Team Oz, led by training ride leaders Chuck Parsons in front and Paul Lipetsky at the caboose, decided to try and ride the remaining 12.4 miles into Richfield together as a group—some 75 riders. Well, no easy task, especially since one rider got a flat just two miles from our destination at Augsburg Park Library in Richfield. We decided we would ride in and cheer this unlucky rider into our home destination and lunch holding area.

I clocked in 55 miles when we arrived at 12:45 p.m. with heat pushing into the mid 90s. 97 degrees peaked by late afternoon. With four days of 90 degree heat, I would say the 2005 Red Ribbon Ride holds the record for the hottest weather. My bike computer tallied a total mileage of 280 miles of riding.

After countless hugs and cheering, we ate our lunch of fruit and tuna salad and SJA's own Jeff and Rita Nohner of Life Image generously took group photos of our many teams including Team Oz, Positive Spin and Team Milk Shake. Thank you Rita and Jeff. National folk recording artist Ellis performed a solid acoustic set of singing and guitar playing.

By 2:45 p.m. we rode into the Richfield High School parking lot where the Closing Ceremony launched with Positive Spin riders leading the pack, followed by all Crew members and then all riders. With a spirited crowd, not deterred by the sweltering heat, we were greeted by thunderous cheering and applause. Our marvelous ten year veteran Ride Director Kari "Hammer" Johnson introduced the first speaker, our tirelessly fantastic Massage Crew Leader Chuck Larson who gave a tear-filled emotional wallop of a speech while five HIV-Positive riders— "Five Empty Wheels"—cradled the same bicycle wheels from Opening Ceremony. President of the Red Ribbon Ride Kevin Winge delivered an impassioned final speech saying his mother reminds him that all good things must come to end. We merely start over and begin again. It's the difficult things like our Red Ribbon Ride that makes us appreciate the beauty of what a difference makes when we come together to offer our talents, contributions and kindness.

I want to personally thank Paul Lipetsky and Chuck Parsons for leading our Team Oz training rides this year with mapped out cue sheets, enthusiasm and commendable leadership. I hope we have inspired you readers with our stories and photos of the 2005 Red Ribbon Ride. I've completed seven of them myself. The training, the camaraderie and the journey will bring a profound change in your life and for people living with HIV. We invite you to become a participant by riding or crewing for our ride next year July 13-16. Call 612-822-2110.

Michael Reinbold, a continuing web reporter, freelances as a writer and banquet caterer. A passionate believer in SJA's mission of social justice and collaborative ministry, Michael is an SJA Choir member, mass reader, Team Oz AIDS rider and Grace House volunteer cook. With an extensive background in theater, photography and fundraising, he relishes all aspects of the arts, staying fit and inspiring and working with people.

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Rick Spaulding is a photographer specializing in digital photography for the theater and works for National Camera Exchange. He is also an antique dealer and eBay afficianado who enjoys collecting marbles but his true joys in life are his two boys and his beautiful wife, Tinia.