{"id":1097,"date":"2012-05-22T03:03:50","date_gmt":"2012-05-22T03:03:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/?p=1097"},"modified":"2013-04-18T20:08:04","modified_gmt":"2013-04-18T20:08:04","slug":"2012-solo-ride","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/?p=1097","title":{"rendered":"2012 Solo Ride"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"fcbkbttn_buttons_block\" id=\"fcbkbttn_left\"><div class=\"fcbkbttn_button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Divas-For-A-Cure-128029303876636\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/wp-content\/plugins\/facebook-button-plugin\/images\/standard-facebook-ico.png\" alt=\"Fb-Button\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div><div class=\"fcbkbttn_like \"><fb:like href=\"http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/?p=1097\" action=\"like\" colorscheme=\"light\" layout=\"button_count\"  size=\"small\"><\/fb:like><\/div><div class=\"fb-share-button  \" data-href=\"http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/?p=1097\" data-type=\"button_count\" data-size=\"small\"><\/div><\/div><p>Three years in a row, I road across country with a group of women and men raising money for Breast Cancer Research and promoting Early Detection. \u00a0Each year, I also do a local Breast Cancer Ride from Barb&#8217;s H-D to continue our efforts to promote Early Detection and support the cure in our community.<\/p>\n<p>This year I decided to take a <strong>&#8220;Solo Ride&#8221;<\/strong> just for me. \u00a0 Sometimes, you&#8217;ve just have to step out on &#8220;Faith!&#8221; \u00a0My scheduled journey would take me through New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9d0VDU6okDg\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1098\" title=\"Sunny-SoloRide-2012-1\" alt=\"Sunny The Diva\" src=\"http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/Sunny-SoloRide-2012-1.jpg\" width=\"604\" height=\"448\" srcset=\"http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/Sunny-SoloRide-2012-1.jpg 604w, http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/Sunny-SoloRide-2012-1-300x222.jpg 300w, http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/Sunny-SoloRide-2012-1-160x120.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 604px) 100vw, 604px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>On Friday April 27th, I departed New Jersey headed for my 1st stop (Northern Virginia Buffalo Soldiers Annual). \u00a0My husband (TC Costley) road with me to Virginia. \u00a0For the first time, I was leading the way and I was a bundle of nerves but TC insisted that I had to do it all the way. \u00a0Well, you can&#8217;t wear the title <strong>&#8220;The Diva&#8221;<\/strong> and not rise to the challenge. \u00a0So, off I go on my <strong>&#8220;Little Red Bike with White Walls<\/strong> with TC&#8217;s trailer in tow.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Before getting on the road, TC gave me a real lesson on safety checks, tire pressure, trailer tire pressure and how to change the tire.<\/p>\n<p>We sat down and reviewed the map of my route. TC insisted I become familiar with reading a map and paying attention to road signs and mile markers. \u00a0He reminded me of the miles of road I had already\u00a0traveled and assured me that I could do it and that he was very confident in my riding skills.<\/p>\n<p>I had my motorcycle serviced at Barb&#8217;s Harley-Davidson where I know they take good care of their customers, so I knew my horse was ready and now so was I.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1116\" title=\"TC &amp; Sunny\" alt=\"TC &amp; Sunny\" src=\"http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/IMG-20120428-004291-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/IMG-20120428-004291-225x300.jpg 225w, http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/IMG-20120428-004291-768x1024.jpg 768w, http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/IMG-20120428-004291.jpg 1944w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/>We arrived in Virginia on Friday afternoon and\u00a0fellowship with a few friends in the motorcycle community. \u00a0We went to the <strong>NoVBSMC Annual<\/strong> Barb-B-Que and as always we were in good company with\u00a0old friends. \u00a0This is where TC and I parted ways. \u00a0 He said our goodbyes and headed back to New Jersey. \u00a0I was truly on my own and there was no turning back for me at this point! \u00a0I would spend another night in Virginia to attend the dance with the soldiers and then depart Sunday morning on my own. \u00a0I can&#8217;t imagine what he was thinking on his ride home but I could not sleep from the anxiety of beginning this journey alone.<\/p>\n<p>Well, 5:00 AM \u00a0Sunday morning came way too soon! \u00a0It had rained the night before and the ground was still wet and the fog made the sky\u00a0hazy\u00a0and cold. \u00a0I was prepared for every riding condition but hoped not to have to use any rain gear. \u00a0I dressed in three layers of clothing, put on my\u00a0reflective\u00a0water proof jacket, heavy jeans and waterproof over-pants. \u00a0I loaded the trailer, grabbed a cup of coffee, wiped down the bike and was ready to roll. \u00a0I took a big breath and paused to ask for God&#8217;s Blessings. \u00a0I never ride without prayer and giving God praise but then that&#8217;s just me!<\/p>\n<p>I turned on my iPod, checked my map which was taped to my windshield bag with some trusty &#8220;Duck Tape&#8221; and turned on my GoPro to record the moment.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/QtBsurjcc2A\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-1124\" title=\"Ruffus-2012\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/Ruffus-2012-300x222.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"222\" srcset=\"http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/Ruffus-2012-300x222.jpg 300w, http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/Ruffus-2012.jpg 604w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>TC and I have a rule when we ride &#8211; we put in the 125 miles before we stop to eat and if we are feeling really good, we wait until lunch time to make the daylight count. \u00a0After riding <strong>2.5 days<\/strong> <strong>(1,674 miles)<\/strong> \u00a0I arrived safely at my sister&#8217;s home in League City, TX.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1117 alignleft\" title=\"Pam &amp; Jan\" alt=\"Pam &amp; Jan\" src=\"http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/IMG-20120504-00504-223x300.jpg\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/IMG-20120504-00504-223x300.jpg 223w, http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/IMG-20120504-00504-762x1024.jpg 762w, http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/IMG-20120504-00504.jpg 1168w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 223px) 100vw, 223px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a title=\"Sunny's 2012 Solo Ride\" href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/media\/set\/?set=a.10150788807989131.428947.648554130&amp;type=1&amp;l=0479d0011c \" target=\"_blank\">Click here to view a few of the photos on my journey<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>After having a wonderful time visiting with my sister and friends I received a phone call from my Grandmother. \u00a0I knew right away by her voice that something was wrong. \u00a0She told me my mother was in ICU in Atlanta and it was not looking good. \u00a0 I called TC and told him the news. \u00a0Without hesitation, TC told me that Atlanta was an easy ride for me from Houston, TX &#8211; almost a straight shot. \u00a0Thunderstorms had already delayed my return to New Jersey but now all I needed was to be at least a day ahead of the storm. \u00a0 <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-1125\" title=\"Sunny-Goldrush-2012\" alt=\"Sunny &amp; Goldrush\" src=\"http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/Sunny-Goldrush-2012-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/Sunny-Goldrush-2012-225x300.jpg 225w, http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/Sunny-Goldrush-2012.jpg 453w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Goldrush &#8220;Our Best Man&#8221; stopped by to see me before I hit the road. \u00a0He has been a good friend to both TC and I over the years.<\/p>\n<p>I said my good-byes to Pam and Ruffus, loaded up the trailer and \u00a0was ready to roll again. \u00a0This time, time was of the essence. \u00a0My mother&#8217;s condition was unsure and I didn&#8217;t want to waste much time.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1126 alignleft\" title=\"Sunny-Smokey-2012\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/Sunny-Smokey-2012-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/Sunny-Smokey-2012-225x300.jpg 225w, http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/Sunny-Smokey-2012.jpg 453w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>While\u00a0en-route\u00a0to Atlanta, I stopped in Alabama where I was\u00a0greeted\u00a0by our good friend &#8220;Smokey&#8221; from the Montgomery BSMC. \u00a0Smokey and some fellow clubs in the\u00a0motorcycle\u00a0community were on a mission helping provide support to a Homeless Shelter and Food Pantry. \u00a0The fellow bikers were full of questions and praise. \u00a0We took pictures, shared a few laughs and I was off on the road again.<\/p>\n<p>I was locked and loaded and made it to Atlanta in <strong>1.5 days (850 miles)<\/strong>. I arrived ahead of schedule to Atlanta.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1114 alignright\" title=\"Sunny-Janelle-2012\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/Sunny-Janelle-2012-223x300.jpg\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/Sunny-Janelle-2012-223x300.jpg 223w, http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/Sunny-Janelle-2012.jpg 449w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 223px) 100vw, 223px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>I sent out an SOS to a fellow Soldier &#8220;Billy D&#8221; and while waiting for him to arrived I had the pleasure of meeting a &#8220;Fellow Survivor.&#8221; \u00a0Pat was just finishing up chemo and her good friend Janelle introduced us after striking up a conversation with me.<\/p>\n<p>Janelle said, she couldn&#8217;t help but notice me in pink, on a bike and pulling a trailer. \u00a0We laughed and exchanged information. \u00a0Pat and Janelle work together as Flight Attendants. \u00a0\u00a0Pat said, Janelle had been a great support during her battle with breast cancer.\u00a0It is good to meet women who support each other in good and bad times.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1171 alignleft\" title=\"Sunny &amp; Billy D\" alt=\"Sunny &amp; Billy D in Atlanta, GA\" src=\"http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/GOPR0124-300x169.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" srcset=\"http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/GOPR0124-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/GOPR0124.jpg 848w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I was greeted by Billy D from the BSMC of Atlanta. \u00a0Billy D and Lady P opened the doors of their home for me to shower, rest, relax and to meet my Grandmother and Cousin before escorting us to our hotel. \u00a0Not knowing what was ahead of us we were very thankful for their generous hospitality.<\/p>\n<p>Lady P and Billy D have been supporters of <strong>Divas For A Cure<\/strong> since our inception and we remain forever friends.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-1127\" title=\"Mom-GrandDiva-2012\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/Mom-GDiva1-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/Mom-GDiva1-225x300.jpg 225w, http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/Mom-GDiva1.jpg 453w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/>Billy D escorted us to the hotel and helped up get settled. \u00a0The next day we were able to finally see my mom in ICU. \u00a0It was a bitter sweet moment. \u00a0We spent \u00a0Mother&#8217;s Day with Mom and it helped to brighten\u00a0everyone&#8217;s\u00a0spirit.<\/p>\n<p>The ride home to New Jersey was long. \u00a0My Solo Ride was nearing an end. \u00a0I left Atlanta early in the moring 6 AM to be exact. \u00a0After four gas stops and 500+ miles I was in Petersburg, VA with only 300 miles to go &#8211; I decided to take in on in!<\/p>\n<p>Once again, TC celebrated me with a confident sound in his voice and told me, &#8220;Okay, \u00a0if you feel up to it &#8211; press on!&#8221; \u00a0A few more gas stops under my belt I called him to update him on my status. \u00a0 It would be dark and I don&#8217;t see well and have a rule that I generally don&#8217;t ride past dark. \u00a0\u00a0TC told me he would meet me at the Cracker Barrel just after I crossed the Delaware Memorial Bridge&#8221; and escort me home. \u00a0I was relieved.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1172\" title=\"Sunny The Diva 2012\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/GOPR0123-300x169.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" srcset=\"http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/GOPR0123-300x169.jpg 300w, http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/GOPR0123.jpg 848w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>My Final mileage. (New Jersey to Houston TX then Atlanta to New Jersey) Total miles: <strong>3,355<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>The journey was worth every mile. \u00a0I can now cross this off my &#8220;Bucket List.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Three years in a row, I road across country with a group of women and men raising money for Breast Cancer Research and promoting Early Detection. \u00a0Each year, I also do a local Breast Cancer Ride from Barb&#8217;s H-D to continue our efforts to promote Early Detection and support the cure in our community. This [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21,43],"tags":[56,57,55],"class_list":["post-1097","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-in-the-community","category-survivor","tag-emanuel-costley","tag-solo-ride","tag-the-diva"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1097","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1097"}],"version-history":[{"count":97,"href":"http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1097\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1517,"href":"http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1097\/revisions\/1517"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1097"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1097"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/realdivasride.com\/dfac\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1097"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}