Leaving from our favorite meeting place, exit 56N on the LIE, LIWITW members planned on meeting more women along the way. Diane Sorkin met us in Douglaston, and led our group across the Whitestone Bridge, the Tappen Zee Bridge, through the beautiful winding roads of Harriman State Park, on to the Red Apple Rest.

Janie and Beth, two women from "The Diva's", a probationary New Jersey WITW Chapter, met up with us at the Red Apple Rest. We stayed long enough to introduce each other, have coffee , then ride toward Ellenville together, until it was time for the Diva's to head back home. Half the riding was not even done, yet some of our new members accomplished more than they had all riding season; leaving Long Island for the first time, crossing bridges, riding on windy roads, and meeting other "sisters". Girls, you were awesome!

On we rode, ascending and descending mountains, (REAL MOUNTAINS, Gail) cornering turns and curves, some of us recalling the ERC course we took this summer . The scenery was breathtaking, the colors were brilliant, our group was being escorted, as if by nature itself, guiding us right up the road to Saira's. There, coming down the steep driveway, was Saira herself, in her breath-controlled wheelchair, puffing and blowing like a true "Little Woman in the Wind". After Alice, Saira, and her two volunteers posed for a few photos, we woman were "wooshed" into Alice's modest home.

Inside, we were treated like travelers from another era, welcomed by warm food; homemade macaroni and cheese, chili and "Apple Betty" for dessert. Hey Alice, what do you think we are, REAL bikers?

Our time spent with Saira went by quicker than we wished, before we knew it, we were getting dressed for the ride back home, this time putting on all our warm gear, preparing for sunset , and colder riding.

But Alice was not quite finished with us, we found, for a good reason; it was time for Saira to pick the bike SHE wanted to sit on! Oh well, what the "heck", it was Barbara (Heck's) bike she chose…pun intended! None of us would have considered something like THAT, yet Alice knew it was "do-able"; that's what's so great about Alice and Saira. They've got a way about them... Neither of them let the physical stop Saira from really enjoying every moment she can! There were enough hands to help, and Alice used them all, barking orders at us like an Army Sergeant; isn't that why we had Julie there? But Alice's bark is not a bite, and she knows exactly what she can nip, and here are the pictures to prove it... Saira, you are truly a "Shining Star".

After we all said our goodbyes and promised to return in a reasonable amount of time, "Five Months", according to Saira, we rode away, beeping our horns, waking up that town that was so quiety sleeping before we arrived.

On to the gas pumps, and on the road again, we left Ellenville ; with full tanks, full stomachs, and full hearts.

Thank you, Saira, Alice and her aides, you will ride in our hearts with us always, and we will return to "Sairaville" very soon.

(L to R)

Anne Wider, Julie Beck, Ellen Mowbray, Vil Ortiz, Gail T., Joyce Ehlich, Theresa (helmet), Saira, Bern Falco, Barbara Heck, and Diane Sorkin.

"I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do."

~Helen Keller~

You're one click away from Saira's Website