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On June 13, 2010 at approximately 12:54 PM Eastern Daylight time, I rode through the "finish" arch at Verizon headquarters in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, completing my first-ever Tour de Cure.

It was hard -- about as hard as I thought it would be, and harder than I'd been prepared to handle. At the same time, it was one of the most incredible experiences I've ever had.

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When I pre-registered for the Tour de Cure, the organizer asked me if I'd like to say a few words before setting out. It's apparently the tradition to ask a Red Rider to "rally the troops", as it were, and she offered me the honor since it would be my birthday -- unless, of course, I was too shy to speak.

I may be a number of things, but shy about public speaking is not one of them. Give me a microphone and and audience, and I'll ramble on until someone comes with the big hook to pull me offstage. However, trying to figure out what to say might be challenging.

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Turning 21 has been the biggest birthday that I've had in quite awhile. I've been celebrating for the past three days with family and friends. For a birthday that really doesn't mean much to me. Yet somehow, I've turned it into a major event.

Being 21 feels better, just because it feels less like I'm still a kid and more like I'm an adult. Telling people I'm 21 instead of 20 will definitely be nice, I'm sure. But otherwise, this birthday and those numbers don't mean much to me.

Because I've generally decided that I won't drink. So being legal for alcohol isn't that exciting. (However, being legal for Las Vegas casinos is!)

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The Web Warren

It's September and the weather has cooled down enough for the Usual Suspects to hold their Fall Fun(d)raising Features. The festivities have already started: the weekend before Labor Day, Allison of Lemonade Life rode a rather rainy JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes until she was sidelined by a passing van's rear-view mirror. As usual, Carey's got his Charlie's Angels JDRF walk group going at the end of October, while my STARFLEET Regional group will participate in the JDRF Seaside Heights walk on the first weekend in October. (READ MORE)