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"Today we met up with what experienced cyclists
call 'The Quadbuster,'" writes Cyclist  Ben
Goldstein, a webcast correspondent. "Ya,
the name should give you a clue - it has a reputation
as being a very difficult climb." (Read about
Ben's
confrontation with the Quadbuster.)
Tonight's campsite brought to
mind a set from a fun Hollywood Western -- the
Mid-State Fairgrounds in Paso Robles.
During dinner at camp, AIDS/LifeCycle
Cyclists passed out beaded pins that were purchased
 from
and made by mothers and grandmothers in South
Africa, many of whom have AIDS. The money raised
from these pins goes directly to much-needed services
for women and children living with HIV/AIDS in
South Africa.
After dinner, both the S.F.
AIDS Foundation and the L.A. Gay & Lesbian
Center, organizations that have been in the forefront
of the fight  against
AIDS since the beginning, shared with the participants
remembrances of their past and provided a look
into the future. This month the AIDS Foundation
commemorates its 20th anniversary. SFAF is one
of the oldest and most respected AIDS service
organizations in the country.
-- Jeff Brock (AIDS/LifeCycle Webmaster)
& Joe Fera
Destination: Paso Robles
Paso Robles was originally named by Spanish explorers
as El Paso de Robles meaning "The Pass of
the Oaks," most likely for the abundant oak
trees that are found throughout the countryside.
The Salinan Indians and Mission fathers also knew
Paso Robles as Agua Caliente, meaning hot springs
for the many natural underground mineral springs
in and around the area.
The area known as Paso Robles was originally
part of a Mexican land grant. This grant consisted
of 25,993 acres and was held in title by Petronillo
Rios, a retired Mexican army sergeant. In 1857,
the Blackburn and James families purchased the
land for $8,000. (Drury James was the uncle of
famed outlaw Jesse James.)
The Paso Robles area has a rich history of winemaking
and grape growing, beginning as early as 1797
at Mission San Miguel Archangel and continuing
to present day. In addition to winemaking, farming
and ranching also played a key role in the development
of Paso Robles. Grain crops, primarily wheat and
barley, were the main source of income for many
farmers in the early 1900s. Large cattle ranches
also dotted the rolling hills. At one time Paso
Robles was also known as Almond City because local
almond growers created the largest concentration
of almond orchards in the world.
-- Joe Fera
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