Dear Donors,
What a journey. I'm still mentally and emotionally recovering, and processing everything that I experienced during AIDS Lifecycle . It will be difficult to describe what this trip meant to me, but I hope to try. First and foremost, with your help, AIDS Lifecycle raised a ground breaking $14.2 million this year for people living with HIV and AIDS. This number is just astounding, and breaks all previous records. In fact, it's the largest amount raised for HIV and AIDS in the world. You all were a part of this, and you are all heroes.
I wrote, or tried to write, journal entries every day. I tried my best to try to recount each and every day so that you can be a part of it with me. Here is the story of my 7 day, 545 mile journey.
June 2, Ride Day 1, 82.5 Miles, San Francisco to Santa Cruz
I started the day not knowing what to expect, which isn't terribly difficult considering I was up at 3:30am to leave for the Cow Palace, and no one can think clearly at 3:30am.
It started with opening ceremonies. 2203 cyclists and 500+ support staff, plus loved ones piled in to the Cow Palace. After speeches from the CEO of the SF AIDS Project and the LA Gay and Lesbian Center, we heard two speeches from people talking about why they ride. It brought tears to my eyes. As I stood there hand and hand with my fellow cyclists I realized that finding the reason behind why I ride was going to be something I thought about a lot on this trip.
We departed on our bikes heading towards the coast. The streets of SF were filled with people cheering us on. It was a beautiful California morning, foggy. It didn't lift until several hours in to my ride. It brought back memories of the days I used to wake up in Santa Cruz and walk to school in the fog, the look, the smell, the feel of the mist on my skin.
The route along the coast was as breath taking as I remember. The ocean crashing to my right, the hills to my left. The day seemed like it went by in a flash. I arrived in Santa Cruz in the afternoon, and was surprised by visits from three of my old friends. It was a great way to end my first day on the ride.
June 3, Ride Day 2, 108.1 Miles, Santa Cruz to King City
108 miles today. The ride started through the streets of Santa Cruz, cruising through my childhood. Traveling past beaches where I used to have bon fires as a kid, coffee shops, and beautiful ocean views. Heading south along Pacific Coast Highway on a bike was much different than driving it. There was so much more to take in, more views, more smells. I stopped in to Moss Landing to have fried artichoke hearts, I don't know why I've never had them, they were amazing.
After heading south for a while we ended up in Salinas. I sat and had lunch with my fellow cyclists. I'm amazed how nice everyone is. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. Continuing on, the route took us through farms and fields of fruits and veggies. We ended up in King City after a long 8 hours riding. It gave me a lot of time to think about why I'm doing this ride.
It started with a physical challenge. I get to do something I love while raising money for a good cause. It's a total win win. However spending just two days on the road with these amazing people coming together for a good cause, it's got to be more than that, it's got to go deeper than just riding our bikes. I've got to figure out what that is.
June 4, Ride Day 3, 66.7 Miles, King City to Paso Robles
Today... is... QUADBUSTER. We rode up the tallest hill on the ride today, aptly named quadbuster. The hill itself really wasn't that bad, what made it bad was my legs were still tired from the 109 miles I rode yesterday.
Lunch today was in a small town named Bradley. Every year the kids of Bradley Middle School make and sell the riders hamburgers, hotdogs, and sodas, and every year they make enough money to fund their after school activities for the entire year. It's really amazing to be spreading the ALC love not only to people living with HIV and AIDS, but to small communities that we pass through on our ride.
Welcome to Bradley
Lunch in Bradley
Some buttons the kids made for us
The day ended at the Mid State Fairgrounds in Santa Maria. After three long difficult days of riding I decided to take some personal care time. I went to see sports med and had them teach me effective ways to stretch, and I had them look at a foot injury that I had been nursing since San Francisco. Oh, and I used my free massage today.
June 5, Ride Day 4, 97.7 Miles, Paso Robles to Santa Maria
We hit the half way point today. I got to ride the first leg of the ride up to the half way point with my high school friend Lici. We've known each other for over half our lives, and sharing that moment with her was very special to me.
Me and Lici at the half way point
The half way point is at the top of another hill that we call the Evil Twins. They are called that because just when you think you're at the top of the hill, boom, there's another one. It was challenging, but luckily I had trained well for it in Colorado.
After a long stretch of downhill we headed back to the coast through the beach cities. I stopped in Pismo Beach and had the best cinnamon rolls I've ever had.
The day ended in Santa Maria at Preskier Park. I set up our tent, had a snack and started my nightly stretching routine. I realized today how amazing it is to have so many people banding together to fight for the same cause. It really shows the power of the human spirit.
June 6, Ride Day 5, 42 Miles, Santa Maria to Lompoc
Red Dress Day!
As soon as I stepped out of my tent I knew today would be different and awesome. Looking around all I saw was red surrounded by the blue of our tents. Everyone on the ride was wearing red, red dresses, red socks, red shorts, red everywhere.
Getting ready for Dress in Red Day
I put on my red dress, the appropriate layers, and set off for the day. I rode with some new friends this morning, and after a very necessary stop at Starbucks, we started in to the rolling hills. After hitting a few switchbacks it was clear why we were wearing red. If you looked down from above we looked like a red ribbon weaving though the hills. We were leaving our mark today and showing the power that that we can have when we all fight for the same cause.
Me in my red dress and some delicious Starbucks
This ride isn't just about raising money for people living with HIV and AIDS. It's also about erasing the stigma that people living with HIV and AIDS live with every day. As we ride through small towns, and big cities, grabbing treats from people on the side of the road, high fiving kids that are cheering us on, and hugging our supporters it's clear that we aren't classified as HIV positive, or HIV negative, we are cyclists, friends, family, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, we are all people.
June 7, Ride Day 6, 84.3 Miles, Lompoc to Ventura
I am so so tired today. 84 miles today and the consecutive days are starting to take their toll on me. Early starts, and long days of riding is very tough. We got some motivation on our bike seats today from the Chicken Lady, an egg filled with some inspiration and a life saver.
Inspiration from the Chicken Lady
I've been making new friends every day. Today I met Martha at rest stop 2. I didn't see her again until rest stop 4 when she came up to me and gave me a big old hug. She had fallen earlier in the day and was struggling a bit. She didn't want to give in, so I rode with her for the last 8 miles. I took the lead and she followed closely as I blocked the wind for her. She was very appreciative. I'm still astounded by the honest love surrounding me right now.
Me and Martha
June 8, Ride Day 7, 60.7 Miles, Ventura to Los Angeles
It's the last ride day for ALC 2013!
I woke up this morning with the realization that today is the last day to ride in this year's ALC. I immediately started to worry that I wouldn't have time to say good bye to some of my new friends. So during my walk for coffee and morning stretching I made an effort to say bye to some special people.
The guys from gear truck 'B' who turned a bad day in to a good one. Katie my fellow trans cyclist and generally awesome person. Michelle and John who I had met a few days prior, John who had been the token straight guy in our little team. The guys from gear truck 'O', who took care of me and my gear every day during the event. June, my friend from day 4 who was the best back up cyclist I've ever ridden with. David, Katie's friend and team mate. 'Devil Dog', my fellow veteran who fondly referred to me as 'Navy' up until today. There was so many more that I would have liked to say something to but unfortunately didn't have a chance.
All during today's ride down the coast I made sure to have my camera ready for photos. I wanted photos to remember the people I met, but in reality I didn't need them. They had all made very permanent and very deep impressions on my heart. AIDS Lifecycle changed me in a very personal way. I will never be the same after spending 7 days with nearly 3000 other people, showers in trucks, 4 am breakfasts, long rides, sore muscles, all banding together for a good cause.
Katie, June, Michelle, John, Me, David
'Devil Dog' and 'Navy'
The world is a better place because of AIDS Lifecycle, and I'm a better person because of it. As I rode the final miles in to LA, passing the tall buildings and weaving though traffic, I thought about how I didn't want it to be over. I didn't want the love bubble to go away, I didn't want my muscles not to ache every day, and I knew that I was going to miss all of it terribly.
After the finish line were two of my very good friends who flew in from Denver to welcome me back to reality. I rode right up to them and fell in to their arms. I was flooded with emotions and started sobbing. I didn't know what to think. I laughed, I cried, and I felt relieved. After some much needed hugs I pulled myself together and headed to bike parking.
Me, Beth, and Markie
Beth, Me, Markie
Several members of my family showed up to participate in closing ceremonies with me. We stood there and listened to stories, thanks, and praise. I stood there holding my cousins daughter with tears in my eyes the whole time. As they recounted the last 7 days, I felt so lucky to share that moment with them.
My brother Steve, Me, my cousins, Michelle, Eric, and Anita
Watching closing ceremonies
Now
It's been just over a week since I've completed my first AIDS Lifecycle. I've started my first internship, and am slowly getting in the groove of being a professional. I've changed in ways that I probably can't even recognize yet. I arrived in Los Angeles drastically different from when I left. I'm so much more comfortable in my own skin, I have a renewed faith in society as a whole, I'm open and ready for so many things.
There are people in the world that are in need, and we've proven that when enough people ban together we can solve so many problems. We all have the power to do amazing things, we all have the power to change the world, and we can all be heroes.
Life is short, sometimes it's too short. Be good to the ones you love, hug them every day, and tell them how much you love them. When you see something that you know is wrong, never be scared to speak up. When you see someone in need never be afraid to help. Thank you all for this opportunity, you are all my heroes.
Oh, and I'll be riding again next year!
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