Experience AIDS/LifeCycle 2 (2003)

Day by Day Coverage: Day 7 - Ventura to West Hollywood

Closing Remarks by Chris Cole, Director of AIDS/LifeCycle

Hello, and welcome to AIDS/LifeCycle2 Closing Ceremony. Thank you for joining us at this celebration of courage and accomplishment. It is my distinct honor to introduce to you a very special group of people.

They are the 1011 cyclists who have been on a 7 day, 600 mile journey. This journey took place not only on the roads of California, but also in their hearts.

They braved the hills and headwinds. They enjoyed the tailwinds. They climbed hills called “Quad Buster” or “the Evil Twins” and even more hills which they did not name. They rode in mist and fog. They challenged themselves from within and kept going when they thought they could go no further. They supported each other. On Monday they rode 104 miles in that day alone.

They started in San Francisco and nearly 600 miles later arrive here in West Hollywood.

They believe in the work of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center.

Ladies and Gentlemen… Please turn your eyes to the north and welcome home the 1,011 cyclists of AIDS/LifeCycle 2!

[The cyclists rode in at this point.]

Every hour of the day. Every mile of the road. In every camp. The 324 volunteer roadies of AIDS/LifeCycle 2 supported us…

They are not afraid of hard work and have done plenty of it over the past seven days.

They smiled and gave hugs of encouragement and cheers of support, even when they themselves were tired, dirty, hot, cold…

They were awake day and night. They marked the route. Picked up the trash. Set up and broke down camp. Drove the sweep vehicles. Carried our gear. Drove the trucks. Hauled the water, ice and Gatorade. Fed us breakfast, lunch and dinner. They bandaged our knees and massaged our sore muscles.

They are selfless and possess hearts unlike anyone else…

Let’s show our appreciation for the 324 member all volunteer roadie team!

[The Roadie Team marched in at this point.]

The AIDS/LifeCycle community extends far and wide. At the core are the cyclists and roadies.

Thousands of individuals support them through pledges, love and encouragement and we thank each and every one of you.

We also thank our corporate sponsors who have been with us every mile of the way this year…

• Subaru
• The Advocate Magazine
• UCSF Medical Center
• Southern California University of Health Sciences
• Joie de Vivre Hospitality
• Trek
• CLIF Bar
• University of San Francisco

As we reflect on those in our lives and our community who live with HIV and AIDS every day and those who are no longer with us, I invite you to take the hand of someone near you.

Please close your eyes in a moment of silence.

With your eyes still closed, reflect on why we are here, right now. Who do we know living each day in a struggle with HIV and AIDS? Who is not with us today?

Now, please open your eyes as the LifeCycle procession heads toward the stage.

The two wheels symbolize the reasons we ride and the spirit of those who can not. They symbolize the spirit of someone we loved ... Someone we laughed with ... Someone we cried with ... Someone who is no longer here to enjoy this glorious day and feel the warmth of the sunshine upon their face. Someone who has gone before us.

These wheels are pure. They have never touched the roads of this earth. Just as those we have lost to AIDS are pure in our hearts and memories. Just as those loved ones and friends are no longer of this earth.

They represent the preciousness of our lives. They represent the preciousness of those we have lost. Those who are watching over us, now, in this moment. They have gone ahead so that we may know there is a reason to carry on.

Without a reason there can be no hope.

We carry on, We have hope, We ride so that they may have not died in vain.

The members of the positive pedalers, along with Ron and Shelli Goodman, who, in memory of their son and his spirit, created the Jeffrey Goodman Special Care Clinic of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, carry the flags that symbolize our hope. Symbolizing the many reasons each of us are here today.

For each person lost to AIDS. For each person living with AIDS. For each person we hope to live in a future where AIDS does not exist.

To be clear that the fight against this pandemic is not over. To stand here with hope for a cure.

These courageous and passionate individuals before me are confronted their fears and today are fearless. They are a beautiful illustration of the human spirit. Of a community that will not stop caring. Will not stop acting. Will not stop supporting one another.

As long as there is a reason, As long as we carry hope in our hearts, There will be AIDS/LifeCycle…

[The wheels and flags were then set in place]

Family and Friends, thank you all for joining us today. For having hope, For supporting the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation.

Cyclists and roadies, thank you for the community you have created over the past seven days. Thank you for your courage and commitment. Thank you for your compassion and love. We look forward to continuing this journey and fight with you and seeing you next year for AIDS/LifeCycle 3!