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During the AIDS/LifeCycle webcast, the incredible
community of AIDS/LifeCycle supporters sent 800 emails
to our amazing Cyclists & Roadies. In addition
to messages from all over the United States, there
were words of support from people in Jordan, Haiti,
Korea, Philippines, Germany, France, Canada, Ireland,
Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
Each night, we printed out the new emails and added
them to binders that participants read in the "Information
Services" tent at each campsite.
The emails you sent -- heartfelt, inspirational, humorous
-- meant so much to the Cyclists & Roadies. I heard
from many participants about how important your email
support was to their cycling each day.
Here's a sampling of what the cyclists read each evening
in the media tent...
I do live far away from u guys but
I felt that I have to send this, if ur thinking that
there
is no
one caring
for what ur doing then I will tell NO. I’m here
in Jordan but I like to hear ur news and
ur wonderful achievements, I see great people there
trying to do something nice, a memory, a silent voice
out there. You’re great, brave, what the human
kind should be. Wish u all the best, thanks for what
ur doing, It means a lot for everybody who does care
on this planet.
Azad from Jordan Wow
you are such a stud (or studette). As I lay on my butt
watching Friends I will think of your lean
buns making their way down to LA. I admire
you so much. You make me proud to be living in this
day and age! Keep going! You're almost there! Palm
trees and kidney
shaped pools of the southland await!
Anita from San Francisco CA
Your spirit moves me to laugh out loud, your comittment
gives me great pride, and your excitement makes me
want to ride along with you. Wishing you a safe adventure
and hoping your days this week are joyfilled. Thank
you for riding and caring.
Lisa from San Francisco CA
I am so proud of everyone on the AIDS Lifecyle Ride,
riders, roadies, and staff. You are all wonderful,
thanks for being there, I will be with you in spirit.
I am
looking forward to the daily photos on the website.
Karla from Pacheco CA
I would like to greet my loving boyfriend a VERY
VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY. I love you so very much and every
waking hour, I thank God for
blessing me with a boyfriend like you. HAVE A VERY
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUBU, and GOOD LUCK on this first day
of your journey. And to every cyclist and volunteers
involved, I am so very proud of you guys! You are all
in my prayers. Pedal for life guys! More power and
see you home soon. With loving thoughts, DANI.
Dani from Los Angeles CA
I was a volunteer in the San Francisco Pledge office
and I wanted to commend all of you for taking this
incredible journey together. Seeing all of you yesterday
was a very emotional experience for me. Your dedication
to ride, to volunteer, to dream portrays the true essence
of human kindness. A tear runs down my cheek as I type
this from the comfort of my office chair. While I cannot
be with you in person, my heart is with you every step
of the way. "Coming together is a beginning...Keeping
together is Progress...Working together is a success " With
much admiration and love, Hal
Hal from Walnut Creek CA
I think it's a WONDERFUL thing all of you are doing.
Your motivation and dedication is inspiring. I wish
I could hug each and every one of you upon your arrival
to L.A. Since I can't be there to do it, please, give
eachother a big hug from me. Bless you all!
Irene from Las Vegas NV
If you are reading this there is a pretty
good chance that you've been touched in one way or
another by AIDS, whether it be family, friend or self.
We've come a long way, yet have farther to go in the
battle against this dreaded pathogen that has brought
myriad emotions to all of us. I salute each and every
one of you, including support staff and background
participants whom we at
times take for granted and overlook. Be proud of
yourselves, ride safely, look at one another and smile.
And if there's a tear in your eye,
as there is in mine at the moment, that's okay too.
God Bless You All.
Mark from Studio City CA
Hallo Tschweetie Love. Was habe ich mich
gefreut ueber deinen Anruf.
Happy Anniversary too. Ich koennte schreien vor Glueck,
denke jede freie Sekunde an Dich und wenns mir mal
nicht so gut geht, denke
ich was Du hier leistest. Ich bin sehr stolz auf Dich,
bist mein groesster Hero und so stolz dein partner
sein zu duerfen. Darf ich noch ein bisschen mit dir
zusammen sein ????? Noch weiter mit Dir kuscheln? Halte
durch, mein Schutzengel ist staendig bei Dir !!!Auf
bald mein Daniel, Dein Harry
Harry from Germany
Yesterday marked the 7th anniversary
of the death of my best friend, Steve Sutherland, from
AIDS. Tomorrow marks the 5th anniversary of the death
of his partner, Stephen Frugoli. I still miss them
both, every day. Thank you all for keeping up the fight,
for all your hard work, your compassion, and your generosity.
You
are good people.
Lisa from Millbrae CA
As I look at the pictures of the Ride
from so far away (I'm in Seoul, Korea) my prayer for
every rider is that you all may keep the wind at your
back, that all your hills be shallow, and all your
roads be smooth. Stay Safe and Stay Alive!
Vic from Korea
Thanks to all of you for your commitment.
When you're tired and sore and asking yourself "why
am I doing this?" remember the 800,000 children
under the age of 15 who contracted HIV worldwide in
2001. Good luck.
Rae from Ponte Vedra Beach FL
Dear Riders: As a member of the Board
of Directors of the LA Gay & Lesbian
Center, I thank you for your invaluable contributions
to the Center's work. I find your dedication and commitment
truly inspirational. It is a rare treat for me to be
able to sit (comfortably) in my office and see what
you are doing via the web. One major regret I have
is that I am not able to share this experience with
Rand Schrader--one of California's
first openly gay judges, and a longtime member and
chair of the Center's Board. Your hard work will help
us battle HIV for as long as the battle is necessary.
Thank you for all that you are doing for all of us.
Rob Saltzman, Member LAGLC Board
from Los Angeles CA
I think that what you all our doing is
wonderful. My brother in law lost his brother about
a year ago to AIDS. He was there with his brother when
he passed away. I believe this ride for AIDS came at
this time to help him heal and to do alot of good for
others. I feel that his brother is cheering him on
from heaven. I am cheering all of you on and may God
bless all of you.
Sharon from Holland MI
I am the proud mother of Fred Dillon
of the SFAF. I've been following the progress of the
Aids
Life Cycle Ride via the internet (what a great idea)
all week and have enjoyed all the photos. I've been
extremely touched by the journal entries. One that
especially touched me was the story
by Ben about what
I like to call his guardian angel that helped push
him up the hill on day two. I'm sure you each have
a guardian angel helping you along and inspiring you
to continue each day. It will be great to see you all
ride in on Sunday. May God bless you all!!!
Paula from San Clemente CA
To all of you participating in and volunteering
for this incredible ride, I just wanted to let you
know how inspiring your actions are. Thanks to wonderful
website, I have been following along on the day by
day photos and video (taken by
my hon, Erik. Happy Anniversary, Erik! Love YOU!) and
I almost feel like I am there with you all instead
of sitting here in my office! NEXT YEAR!!! But until
then, you are almost finished and enjoy these last
few days and be proud of yourselves,
as everyone who is watching your progress via the web!
A big Hug to you all!
Brent from Grass Valley CA
Dearly beloved heroines and heroes,
The hearts of AIDS riders and supporters everywhere
go out to you as you make your journey this week.
The knowledge that one of you tragically passed away
on the first day of the ride must surely weigh heavily
on all of you. I hope that while you remember Tom,
and while you lend your thoughts to the millions
of others who have died or are suffering with this
terrible disease, you also find both pride and much,
much joy in what you are doing. If this is your first
ride, congratulations and thank you. If you've ridden
before, congratulations and thank you. You can only
begin to imagine how much we love you.
Jody from Santa Cruz CA
Greetings from CANADA to all cyclists,
roadies and volunteers. I have followed you every day
via this great website and wish I was there to show
you my admiration and respect. The picture are really
great and gives us a good overview of the event. I
think I saw my daughter in one picture. What a thrill!
I miss her so much.Wishing you the best in the next
two days. Way to go Baby Chou! BRAVO!
Catherine from Peterborough ON
Your selected journalists make reading
about this event fascinating entertainment; how long
can it be before the book and the movie follow? :)
The photographs display innovative composition, and
the end result is capturing the enthusiasm and dedication
of all participants. The world must stand up and notice!
Anita from Witchita KS
It is an amazing thing to think of you
each and all using your bodies, hearts and minds to
cross this beautiful state. You are on so many minds,
including my own, and it is strange to be going about
regular business this week knowing this extraordinary
gift is being given. I am an HIV positive person, so
I am particularly moved by your sacrifice of time,
effort and love. I am one
of the most privileged HIV + people I know- I have
a fulfilling job that pays me well and have great health
insurance. What you are doing is a gift to me, but
so importantly, a gift to the folks that this money-driven
society often fails: those without health insurance,
housing, social support. THANK YOU for what you are
doing. One of you is my beloved cousin who is lodged
in my heart. I am sending much love to you!
Mary from San Francisco
Every morning I check the webcast, mark
off my print out of your ride map, and picture myself
doing this ride next year with you. Not only are you
do amazing things for yourself, for AIDS research and
awareness, but you are a huge inspiration
to all us future riders who think "Wow, I'm going
to do that too." Keep going! I'll be cheering
you on in Carpinteria....
Cat from Carpinteria |
