“Ouch my Butt”….was the anthem of the day. After hours in the saddle our bums were slowly getting accustomed to the bumps in the road. The morning provided beautiful weather and everybody was excited to get rollin’! We spent the morning in downtown Greensboro watching a 4th of July parade. Jason and a few others headed to the closest bike shop for some minor adjustments and extra gear. After a full day of riding, we packed up the bikes at close to get some quick shut eye at the closest RV Park. Let’s just say that we rolled into what could best be described as the Griswold’s Family Vacation hot spot. It was certainly a trailer park, but hey, “When in Rome….” We hunkered down with 12 pizzas, that’s right, I said 12 pizzas! Somebody’s eyes were much larger than their stomach. However in hind sight, they proved to be a valuable commodity later in the trip.  About 248 more miles to go….

The Dublin Dog Crew rode long into the night. From 12:01am until 4:30am, riders and crew navigated through the darkness, into the hills, and down the valleys. There is nothing quite like riding among your friends and colleagues at 2:45am as deer peer up from lush pasture fields, and the noises of the night serenade our team of riders. After hours of riding, we found an old church along the side of the road, where we pulled our caravan of RVs and SAG vehicles over for 3 hours of shut eye. Some opted for beds, pillows, and a comfortable floor at that point, while others took their bags outside and slept under the stars. The one thing in common, we were all excited about what the morning had to offer.   With 50 miles under our belts, we headed off to Greensboro to hit a 4th of July parade and refuel on carbs.

It’s 11:30pm and we’re about to get on the way for 400 miles of pure excitement, pure pain, and pure adrenaline. A very special thanks to Bicycle Sport for providing additional bikes for the ride, along with our Platinum Sponsors, Presbyterian Endocrinology & Osteoporosis Consultants, and American Pet Cross. We truly thank you, along with all the other companies and individuals that helped to make this dream a reality. We’ve got a good crowd here at the Thirsty Beaver and are waiting for the clock to strike midnight so we can clip in our pedals and head out. We’re lucky enough to have WXRC 95.7 “The Ride” leading us out of Charlotte, with music and lights. What else could you ask for.

Washington DC, here we come!!!!

We’re at it again. That’s right, our team is nothing but dedicated when it comes to throwing a great party for a great cause. Who said running fundraisers has to be painful? This Saturday night, June 13th, the team from the Dublin Dog Foundation will be hosting a benefit event with the great folks at CorkScrew Wine Shoppe and Bar. Come out to join us for one of our last events before the big charity ride from Charlotte, NC to Washington, DC. The wine tasting event will take place from 4:00-8:00 pm and we’ll have our dream bike on display along with some wonderful donations from folks all around the Charlotte area. You won’t want to miss this one. We’ve got only 3 weeks left to raise over $5,000 and we need everybody’s help to make it happen! We can do it, we know we can, so join us in supporting this wonderful cause.  The CorkScrew is located at 16916 Birkdale Commons Pky, Huntersville, NC 28078. Cheers to you and your support for the Dublin Dog Foundation!

This is a touching video that shows the power of how a dog can dramatically change the life of a human forever. At the Dublin Dog Foundation, we want to help support these efforts by the wonderful National organizations that have dedicated themselves to helping children and adults alike with special needs. There are thousands of well deserving individuals out there who have been on waiting lists for such an opportunity to receive a service dog. We want to help make those dreams a reality, which is why we need your assistance. Help make a difference in somebody’s life and support those partnerships of human and canine. It’s an incredible opportunity for all of us to participate in.

Ok gang, we are almost at the halfway mark of our goal of raising $20,000 for our candidate with Cerebral Palsy to receive a service dog. We are absolutely thrilled with the feedback we’ve received on the Dublin Dog Foundation Dream Bike. It’s a real spectacle, so be sure to check out the entire fabrication in the photo section of the website. However, we can’t stop now, we need ALL YOUR SUPPORT. We have the ability to change a woman’s life by helping her gain some of her independence back this 4th of July, but we can’t do it alone. So make a donation and receive the opportunity to win this one of a kind bike, while at the same time, playing a vital role in helping someone in need!!!

Two Platinum Sponsors have been identified for the 2009 Dream Bike Giveaway. Hip, Hip, Hoorey. While I am not ready to release their names, I can say that they are making a world of difference, not only to their community, but to “Terry”, the hopeful recipient of a service dog from Canine Assistants. So please, don’t rely on luck alone, please take a moment and make a donation to the Dublin Dog Foundation. This is your chance to dramatically affect someone’s life for the better. Once the ink dries, we’ll announce the names of our first two platinum sponsors. Way to go…

One of my favorite holidays of the year, St. Patrick’s Day has finally arrived! It’s the one day that feeling lucky, feels, well normal. It’s as if on this particular day we are given a pass to be happy, to have fun, and to look at the positive side of things. Which begs the question, what is it about the Irish that makes them seem luckier than the rest of us? Certainly after reading much of the history of Ireland, or if you’ve ever read or watched Frank McCourt’s, Angela’s Ashes, you will find quite the opposite to be true. However, I feel it’s the spirit of the Irish that sets them apart. Despite their tumultuous history of political and religious unrest, along with the Great Potato Famine of 1845-1852, the Irish have always seemed to come out ok. Having traveled throughout Ireland on several occasions myself, I find the people to be some of the best on Earth. So warm, and so genuine in their regard for others, especially friends and family. That’s what makes me love the Irish, they seem to have their priorities straight. In fact, today, on St. Patrick’s Day I heard an Irish economist talking about the global recession and it’s impact on Ireland. The one thing I held onto throughout that interview was his comment that while certainly the Irish are facing serious financial concerns like the rest of the globe, it has not dampened their routine of going to the pub or out to dinner with friends and family. In fact the economist snickered and said, in many cases the Irish would rather go without a car, rather than to give up their priorities of having fun and spending time with their mates. So this morning, while at my desk, I took down this postcard that I have had framed for over 10 years. This is the essence of the Irish Spirit. Luck is not something arrived upon, but rather it’s cultivated, it’s an outlook and a way of living. Just as the farmer gets up at dawn to tend his fields, the “luckier” he gets with his crop. The same holds true for all that we hope to accomplish with our Dublin Dog Foundation. We can hope for good fortune and for the ability to help others, or we can cultivate our own luck by taking action. So, pick up your tools, whatever they may be and help us cultivate some “good luck” for some good folks and some lucky dogs! Happy St. Patrick’s Day.