Community Building in the Washington, DC area!!

SFP Editor: How far have you biked to raise money for a cause and what about the ride was challenging? Patrick Bayliss: My first long (100+ miles) bike ride was a 3 day 270 mile NYC to DC ride with a group called World Team Sports which raised awareness (more than money although there was registration fee) for disabled athletes. It was 1200+ riders - most were without any handicap but many were (paraplegic in hand cycles or missing a leg). Any time you are tired and come up next to someone who is missing a leg (sometimes both) and they are pedaling with a prosthetic limb you find another gear to kick it in. That ride was challenging because it was my first and longest ride to date.

SFP Editor: How did you first become interested in biking?

Patrick Bayliss: I have "liked" biking all my life but never thought of it as exercise - just as a way to get from here to there and have fun.

SFP Editor: What is your favorite bike ride route in the DC area?

Patrick Bayliss: I really like to ride (or sometimes drive) to Georgetown then bike up the Capital Crescent trail to Bethesda then back down Rock Creek park to Georgetown. DC is great for trails there are many other good ones.

SFP Editor: How far have you biked to raise money for a cause and what about the ride was challenging?

Patrick Bayliss: My first long (100+ miles) bike ride was a 3 day 270 mile NYC to DC ride with a group called World Team Sports which raised awareness (more than money although there was registration fee) for disabled athletes. It was 1200+ riders - most were without any handicap but many were (paraplegic in hand cycles or missing a leg). Any time you are tired and come up next to someone who is missing a leg (sometimes both) and they are pedaling with a prosthetic limb you find another gear to kick it in. That ride was challenging because it was my first and longest ride to date.

SFP Editor: How do you prepare for a marathon bike ride? What do you do mentally, physically and technically for ride safety?

Patrick Bayliss: Prepare by gradually getting more miles in every week. Ride weekdays if possible and get the big miles in on the weekend.

SFP Editor: What type of bike do you ride? Why did you choose this type of bike?

Patrick Bayliss: : My newest bike I will probably ride in SOLVANG is a SOFTRIDE "Qualifier" - I got a great deal on it and it just rides like a dream and looks very unique and sexy so I couldn't resist buying it.

SFP Editor: Where would be the most exciting bike ride that you have yet to try?

Patrick Bayliss: The most exciting ride I think, would be the Tour de France - NOT as a competitor (although that would be exciting also but need to keep it real) but in a "tour" which rides hours ahead of the riders along the route (shorter portions of the tour) and up the big mountains and then watches the competitive cyclists as they finish the stage.

SFP Editor: What tips would you give a person who is interested in training to raise money for a cause?

Patrick Bayliss: Just dive in and go for it. Put in the miles each week and before you know it there you are.