October 31st. Austin, TX. I did not grow up roaming the streets of London at night, vandalizing public transportation and dreaming of escaping to America to becoming a midwife. I know that may be hard for some of you to believe. What I wanted to be was an astronaut. I wanted to be the youngest person in space. There were no books at the local library about space and space exploration that I had not read. I was devastated when the show “Lost In Space” came on and I saw that Will Robinson had beaten me to it.
My dream did not end there but it took a dent. My dad made light of my ambition telling everyone I was going to be the first dustman (garbage collector) on the moon but I remained undaunted. I should mention that to his credit, some 40 years later, he did apologize.
For as long as I can remember, my reach has exceeded my grasp.
We’re still on the road winding our way east. And by winding I mean winding. Once we get to Austin we’re going to take a break. They have an MDA Clinic and I have some body parts that need to be looked at. Not to mention there is some serious trick or treating to be done.
The initial notion behind “Ride for Ray” was to make up the 2,500 miles or so that I could no longer do and we would move on down the road as others rode the miles. But we have already exceeded that goal. Someone suggested “ride around the world” (24,859 miles). Recently a friend from the Minneapolis biking community posted a video about accumulating enough miles to fly me to the moon. That’s 238,900 miles. It got me thinking about a lot of things. It may be too late to become a dustman but not to fly to the moon.
Don’t forget to log your miles at Ride for Ray. We look forward to including you in our next video. Send pictures or video to bychopath13@gmail.com with a message about yourself and who you are and where you are from.
Peace, love and midwives
Ray
Ray's Little Ride 
I like the idea of riding to the moon!
Let’s make it happen. I’m going to try to ride soon.
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I’ll make you a protein shake or two
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Rae, you are 1 heck of a lady. Thanks for sharing your example of love, devotion & unselfishly sharing your Ray with all of us. Peace.
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I received a letter from the ministry of defence advising me that my son was too young to enter a space programme (he was 10 at the time) and advising me that he should join the local air cadets. Evidently he had rung the MoD whilst I was out. I was thankful he didn’t know the phone number of Cape Canavral
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Great idea Ray. Take it to the limit!
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Your messages and videos make me smile, reflect & appreciate life more every day. Motivated to ride a bit myself. You inspire me to do anything. Let’s go to the moon & back!
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Go Rocket man go!
Looks like you’re having a blast!
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“To infinity and beyond.” There is a little astronaut in all of us as Buzz Lightyear can attest. Rest well in Austin. Keep Austin weird.
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Sent from my iPad
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Not certain about attaching the video, but after being diagnosed with ALS earlier this year my loving family implored me to get a trike so I could continue riding, something I adore. With only one working leg a two wheeler was no longer possible. So here’s 10 miles ridden along the Hudson River in Manhattan. All the very best, Larry
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Hi. Thinking of a trike too although have never so much as sat in one before. Will keep you posted
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Absolutely love the way you continue to set goals and live life with passion. To the moon!!!
And you MUST continue writing. It is another one of your many gifts.
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Hi, Ray: I’ve been reflecting on what you said about yourself and about the notion of your reach exceeding your grasp. The aspirations that you have had for yourself have motivated you to stretch yourself, to think out of the box and to take you into places and situations that have resulted in a rich, colorful, varied and extraordinary human life. Had you really been squelched by your father’s “dustman” comment, you would not have become who you are, a courageous, inspiring, beautiful being in a human body that happens to have this ALS diagnosis. Another part of your journey and your willingness to be with what is, with courage, humor, creativity and generosity of spirit. The love that is flowing your way from different parts of the world through Ray’s Little Ride is strong medicine. Though there may not be a cure for the disease, certainly your journey is a healing one that is taking you to previously unexplored places in the world and within yourself. Bravo! Much love, Gilda (With gratitude for this body that still carries me into the vast beauty of the mountains I love, despite the multiple assaults of aging). Rock Creek Canyon, E. Sierras, CA., August 2013.
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