Wrapping it all up

You can still participate! Click here for details!
To see the pledges so far, click here.
 Local news coverage of the ride can be found here.

 My cyclemeter app tells the tale. I rode 32.45 miles in all. Well short of my goal, but I felt I'd had enough and quit while I could still walk.

This is what the ride looked like on a map. I love technology!

 

View Larger Map

Speaking of technology. Instagram and Twitter are amazing. The support I received is more than I can ever hope to repay, but I will try my best.

All weekend I saw things like this and I can't tell you how much it meant to me. I couldn't post everything on here or else I'd be here all day copying and pasting. This is just a sample.

I was one dad on a bike, but I felt like I was riding with each and every one of you. For that I am thankful.

When I finally stopped riding, I sat on the curb by my bike and thought "what was this all about?"

It came to me in a split second.

Every time our kids do something...interact with someone, try on new clothes, try a new food, make eye contact, you name it...they're stepping out of their comfort zone for the sake of others. Given the choice, I'm sure my son would rather wear sweats, drink nothing but capri sun and watch the "Your shoe's untied" episode of Spongebob all day.

But he doesn't. He puts on his jeans. He rides the bus. He goes to therapy. He does all of these things we think should be easy, but that are a struggle for him.

I stepped out of my comfort zone on April 2nd. I tried to do something that would benefit others by pedaling my large self around Fresno for a few hours.

Much like the team of therapists and teachers that support my son, all of you were my support system as I tried something that doesn't come naturally to me. With practice and motivation, it will become more natural.

My point in this whole thing is that we can all do something to help those who help our children. I know we'd be lost without them.


Thanks again to all of you. These have been some of the most enjoyable and uplifting few days I've ever experienced.

I have plans for expanding the One Dad Bikeathon for Autism next year but those plans will wait till summer vacation. I'm in the middle of a teacher credential program that demands my full attention until then.

One last thanks.

In your debt,
Chris

News coverage of the ride.

Ride on...

Thank you.

All of you.

Your outpouring of support has been overwhelming. It's that energy, mojo, whatever you call it...that will drive me tomorrow.
I'm not a cyclist. Golf is my sport. I don't even play that but once or twice a year these days.

My goal for this ride is 50 miles. I rode 34 in last year's One Dad Bikeathon...the farthest I've ever ridden.

I thought I'd have time to prepare. Time to ride and build up to this. I was wrong. I've logged less than 20 miles in 2012.

I'm an autism parent. I'm a full time student teacher. I'm a husband. I don't have time for "extra" things.

So tomorrow I'm just going to go for it. I'll pace myself, sure. Take some breaks at the car etc.

I will do my best to reach that 50th mile. I may well fall short. So be it. I feel this has already been an overwhelming success and I have made connections with some outstanding organizations.
My wife said "you're helping build awareness...I wasn't even aware of groups that surf or skate with kids with autism".

Thanks go out to her as well for putting up with me the last 24 hours as this blew up on twitter. I am a lucky man to have her.

Ok enough mushy stuff.

I am riding at 7am Pacific time starting at Koligan Park in Fresno, CA. There's a nice 2.2 mile loop through a quiet neighborhood that I've been on before. I think it's perfect (no hills this year woohoo!) for this ride.

Using the awesome cyclemeter app, I will be tweeting my progress every few miles. You can follow along on my twitter page. @rales9 on the twitter.

Apparently the app will speak your responses to me so give it a shot!

If you have already pledged to support an autism charity, thank you. If you decide to see if I crash and burn on mile 3 first, thank you too. All I care about is awareness and support for the people who provide an invaluable service to our children and adults with autism.

The donations don't have to be made tomorrow. That's not the point. This is a free and easy thing. The honor system at work. You pick, you donate, you decide. I can't manage anything more complicated than that, honestly.

Thank you again on behalf of my son. He is the original inspiration for this bikeathon. I am proud to have his name next to so many others on my bike.

Chris
Matthew's dad.

5.5 easy steps...

I can get wordy sometimes so I'll boil it down!

Step 1. Pick an autism charity you'd like to support.

Step 2. Make a pledge (lump sum or per-mile donation).

     a. Email me (rales9@gmail.com) with who you're supporting and your donation amount so I can add it to  
         the list.

Step 3. Follow my ride via twitter (@rales9) on Monday April 2nd.

Step 4. See the results.

Step 5. Make your donation directly to the charity you chose in step 1!

It's that simple!

Thanks for your support.

Ride on,
Chris

In Appreciation

I just want to say thanks to the The A.Skate Foundation, Surfers Healing, and Emily at Lemonade 4 Autism.

I'm speechless at the outpouring of support for this little endeavor.

I hope to one day repay the kindness.

Chris.

Pledges received so far

Total raised so far....$548!!!!!


Donation pledges/promises are still coming in and I'm very excited/humbled for all of the support.

Remember, you choose the charity you'd like to support and you donate directly to them.

The money does not go through me!

I'm just riding my bike and trying to inspire people to support those who support our kids.

If you'd like to be added to the list of sponsors below, email me at rales9@gmail.com

Remember, you donate directly to your chosen charity. This is the honor system.

Donation/Pledges	Recipient
$50	Central California Autism Center
$50	University of New Mexico Center for Development and Disability
$2 per mile	Central California Autism Center
$15	Central California Autism Center
$25	Central California Autism Center
.10 per mile	Central California Autism Center
$20	Central California Autism Center
$100	Autism Speaks Hawaii
$25	The A.Skate Foundation
$50	The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network
.05 per mile	Central California Autism Center
$50	The A.Skate Foundation
$25	TACA - Indiana
$20	Surfers Healing
$50	Central California Autism Center

How to participate....

While I am riding for as many Autism related charities as possible, I have received several inquiries about how to donate directly to my son's school, the Central California Autism Center.

Here is their contact information.

Central California Autism Center at California State University, Fresno 
Mailing Address: 2576 E San Ramon Ave Fresno, CA 93740
Physical Address: 5005 N Maple Ave Fresno, CA 93740
Phone: 559.278.6773
Fax: 559.278.7910

Checks made out to the Central California Autism Center can be mailed directly to the address listed above.

If you decide to support this cause, you can e mail me directly at rales9@gmail.com.

I am hoping to get a pledge list started as I've already received several promises of support.