Hooray for Hollywood!

The anticipation built all throughout this relatively short day (68 miles) as West Hollywood - and the Closing Ceremony - drew closer.

Today, cyclist Edna Flores used the Pacific Ocean's waves to help her reflect and focus on the last seven days. "Our kindess and caring for each other was organically grown, not genetically engineered by some mantras and quotes," she writes in her journal. "We pointed out hazards, made sure each person hydrated, pitched tents, fetched food and drinks, massaged muscles, and cracked jokes and smiles and provided tissues and shoulders to cry on."

At Rest Stop Two along El Pescador State Beach, cyclist Rich Kirkham noticed that the Cyclists weren't alone. "I looked down the hill toward the Pacific Ocean as small shards of sunlight broke through the clouds," he writes in his journal. "I saw a black triangle in the waves… and another one… then, there were more. Suddenly, there was a huge dolphin rising up in the wave and back down again. As I watched, there were more of them rising then falling with the waves. I think there were at least seven dolphins altogether… in the sunshine."

Later on the route, more and more human spectators showed up. "As we rode through Santa Monica, Brentwood, Beverly Hills and, finally, West Hollywood, I lost count of all the hand-made signs and banners that people had brought out to salute their friends or loved ones who were riding, to welcome them home, to express their gratitude to one and all riders," writes cyclist Efren Jimenez in his journal.

The Cyclists and Roadies gathered in a holding area at West Hollywood Park. There they could choose one of six rainbow-spectrum AIDS/LifeCycle shirts for the Closing Ceremony. Of course, hugs abounded as Cyclists acknowledged each others' accomplishment. By 3:20pm, every Cyclist had lined up and biked en masse to a spot just around the corner from the Closing Ceremony.

The Ceremony began as members of the Los Angeles community, including former Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa, placed memorial ribbons on the LifeCycle wheels, in honor of the many thousands of people we've lost to HIV and AIDS.

With friends and family lining both sides of Santa Monica Boulevard, and the percussive rhythm of a "Blue Man Group" CD building the excitement, the long line of Cyclists triumphantly rode down the Boulevard toward the stage. Many of them held their bikes over their heads in celebration.

Next came the Roadies, who entered to "Simply the Best," passing alongside the Cyclists they had supported throughout the 600-mile route and exchanging high-fives.

From the stage, outgoing LAGLC Executive Director (and fellow Cyclist) Gwenn Baldwin thanked the thousand-strong group for all their work.

"Both the Center and the Foundation have been committed to ending the suffering caused by HIV and AIDS since the beginning of this epidemic 20 years ago," she said. "For many of you, this fight has been immensely personal. You've lost sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, parents, families, lovers and friends. For some of you, this struggle is your own. You live with your illness, you live with your wellness, you live with HIV every day. But we can't give up this fight, and I want to thank you for your unwavering support and your courage at being with us on this inaugural event."

"In so many ways, the AIDS/LifeCycle is a new event with a really old soul," said Cyclist and LAGLC board member Rhona Berenstein. "Though many among us have covered these miles before, this is the first time that we as more than 1,000 AIDS/LifeCyclists and volunteers join together to raise money to support HIV and AIDS services. We've all given so much. We have reaped so many rewards. We have suffered losses. And over and over again we've been reminded of the preciousness and fragility of life. Collectively, we've accomplished something incredibly special."

Pat Christen, SFAF Executive Director and fellow Cyclist, reminiscenced on the day-by-day highs, lows and special details of the week. "A funny thing happened on the way to L.A. A disparate collection of individuals became a community," she said. " ... Today, you accomplished what was not even contemplated nine months ago. Today you completed the inaugural AIDS/LifeCycle. Today, you made history."

(You can read the entire text of Pat's Closing Ceremony remarks.)

When Gwenn tied the final ribbon on the LifeCycle wheel, it was over. A weeklong battle to support HIV/AIDS services and to keep this epidemic at the forefront of the country's thoughts had concluded, with thoughts moving toward AIDS/LifeCycle 2, June 8-14, 2003.

"So now that the ride is over, I'm trying to figure out how everything can stay this way. How can I keep this good feeling?" writes cyclist Patrick Montgomery in his journal.

"In cycling there is a term called 'cadence'. It refers to pedalling speed. An efficient cyclist tries to maintain an even cadence whether they are climbing a hill, zooming down the backstretch of a mountain, or pedalling across endless miles of flat highway.

"Today I've been thinking about how I'm going to take this momentum that the AIDS/LifeCycle has given me and carry it forward into my life. All week I've been seeing the ride as mostly an uphill struggle, but now I realize it's been one big 'screaming downhill' back into life. I'm going to keep on pedalling..."

-- Jeff Brock
Webmaster, AIDS/LifeCycle
(who could barely keep his camera still during the emotion of the Cyclists' ride-in)

See all 150 photos from Day 7

AIDS/LifeCycle would like to thank Paul Muscarella, a machinest at Warner Brothers Studios, for constructing and donating the LifeCycle wheel stands, as well as sponsoring a number of Cyclists.

Chicken Ceasar Salad
Red Pepper Roll-Up
Pasta Oriental Salad

The three-mile stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood has a long and colorful history. Once home to the Red Line trolley and the last few miles of historic Route 66, it now serves as the City of West Hollywood's main street -- a place where locals comes to shop at neighborhood stores, sit at outdoor cafes and stroll along tree-lined sidewalks.

Bound on the west by the hub of the Gay community and on the east by one of the largest Russian immigrant populations in the country, "The Boulevard's" diversity is matched only by its activity.

-- WeHo.org