THANK YOU 

Hi As you know im not a writer nor a good rider for that matter.

Tonight, I would like to thank the cycling community for the unbelievable and complete support you have given Damian. Thank you from the bottom of my hart.

What you did as a community was amazing. Coming together to help a complete a

Stranger solely on our recommendation.  The last four months He was welcomed into homes. fed, and tended to by friends who have treated him as family And took him in as a members of our community with absolutely no prejutice, descrimination.judment whats so ever.

And thats why I love been part of this community.

There is no judgments here. Sure we beaker we argue BOY do we love to argue. We make fun of each other and our riding. (ok just my riding) BUT we never judge or criticize ones. Politics, Religion, Race. Social status or Sexual Orientation. 

You took him in, hell you took me in and Im such a misfit.

I know that our sport gets a lot of bad press and specially lately.

But I think this is a side of our sport that needed to be told and seen world wide and it did. To many people this was a cycling story, and it was in a sense. But I think it was more than that. I think it was a story of human kindness that just happened to be about

A cyclist. And when his cycling carrier is ove and even if he doesn’t medal in London.

His every day life has changes a millon times and after the Olympics he will get arms full on arms with hands. And you were part if this.

As a member of your community I ride on your shoulders. You went above and beyond you make me proud to say that…..yes I am a cyclist (yes ok not a good one)

Thank you.

And of course the team of doctors and health care professionals that have provided services to improve his health, life and ability to perform as an athlete,

as well as those who made sure he was able to arrive at each medical procedure.

Likewise, sponsors have made sure that he’s been fully outfitted from head to toe, and from handlebars to rear wheels.

Through this effort, Damian has completed many surgeries and been fitted with his prosthetics and gone back to Havana. Hopefully, he will travel to Toronto

for Paralympics qualifying rounds next month.

This outpouring of love and humanity is astounding and I know each person has been touched by his visit. I know that he changed my outlook at life.

While each may have acted individually, you came together as a true team to support this rider on a journey that is no longer a solo ride. You made this possible.

Some individual thank yous in no particular order but each as important as the next.

Mother goose Tracy Lea.

Nanci Modica

Jesus Perrera

Claudette Lajam

The Garcia family

Mike (PAPA) Lyach and Lola

Mark Purdy

Chad Butts

Nyvelocity.com who allows and gives me a blank canvas each week to express myself. And gave me the vehicle to introduced Damian to you.

And of course ACE Andrew McDade  and his family.

What can I say. there are really no words to say thank you.  So Im just going to say Thank you. Thank You Ace. He stayed with him and his beautiful family for most of the time as one of their own. Did I mention that Ace has a house full of beautiful ladies? They are the American family just look at one of the pics from the last night

Ace……just simply THANK YOU. 

I hope I didnt forget anybody and if a did please forgive me

Thanks for reading

Yours Truly,

MQ