Experience the Event - 2004

Gilbert's Journal

Day 6

Today, my message will be short because again I have invited someone else to write in my journal. Pablo Garcia and I have been together for about 5 years and are doing the ride together; many days I have mentioned him but I can’t remember if I have provided details on who he is. He will write in a mixture of English and Spanish.

I have completed over 500 miles and I still feel Great. What a blessing it is to be alive and healthy doing something for others and having fun doing it. When I woke this morning it was cold and overcast and stayed that way for the first 15 miles. As I arrived at rest stop 1 the sun was out in all its glory, however all around were the remains of the Santa Barbara fire. The fire had burned out a lot of the once-beautiful vegetation and burned a train on the tracks. Even still, I could still get a sense of what was there and I know it will grow back more beautiful than ever.

As we moved further into Santa Barbara I again saw indescribable beauty in the lush gardens and landscaping all around. I even saw the flags flying at half mass in honor of Ray Charles’ passing, what a wonderful musician and humanitarian he was for not only the U.S. but also the world.

Lastly, I believe it was the City Council or maybe just friends of AIDS/LifeCycle that put together what can be called a little bit of paradise. They served ice cream with about 5 or 6 flavors, fresh strawberries, all sorts of candies, cookies, pastries -- anything sweet -- and not a Clif Bar or protein bar was in sight. All of this was served with a smile and a thank you.

Now that I am back in camp and know that this will be my last night with all of the special and wonderful family I made on this journey, I am getting a little bit sad, even as I type this last sentence the tears are flowing knowing that I only pass this way once in life, I sure hope that I have made a positive difference in someone else’s life and that I played my music and showed love. I know that I have certainly received love through out my life.

If possible, please come to closing ceremonies at Dodgers Stadium at 5 pm. There you will be able to get some resemblance of what I have experienced.

It is something new for me to be part of such a large group of people, coming together as perfect strangers, not knowing anything about one another -- not even our names -- and without any problem or inhibition I find myself taking showers with a bunch of strangers, saying hello every morning and having a little chat about the previous day’s ride. When you’re able to coexist like that, you just don’t mind the pain, the cold, and the lack of your own bed… When it comes to a fight for a cause, gender, race, age, or any other category or tag wouldn’t be any thing but an adjective. Sadly AIDS doesn’t mind any of those things either… we had a wonderful time as a group, but the pain is still out there afflicting the young ones as well as the old, the rich and the poor, the homosexual as well as the heterosexual.

After this journey, I’ll go home and sleep in my comfortable bed, I’ll be warm and fine, but this will be just like one rest stop, there are more days to ride, we haven’t reached the final destination, sadly it’s not over yet. I’ll make sure that this experience is as a reminder that we still need to pedal more and more miles and bring comfort to others less fortunate.

Mi nombre es Pablo Garcia, soy el ciclista numero 6096, y este dia me encuentro en una jornada que me trae mucha satisfaccion. Durante los ultimos 6 dias he sido parte te un grupo muy diverso de personas que para mi anteriormente eran desconocidos, que no comparten nada en comun. Jovenes, viejos, diferentes razas y orientaciones sexuales se han reunido para pedalear desde San Francisto hasta Los Angeles, con el fin de contribuir y recaudar fondos para servicios que se proveen a individuos que han sido afectados por el SIDA. Lamentablemente el SIDA es un mal que no ve diferencias de edad, raza y orientacion sexual. Tristemente cuando regrese a la comodidad de mi hogar recordare que todavia no se ha erradicado dicho mal, y todavia tenemos mucho trabajo que hacer, no hemos alcanzado el ultimo punto de descanso, todavia quedan muchas millas que pedalear.

Si les es posible, vengan a las ceremonias de culminacion al Dodgers Stadium a las 5 pm. Ustedes podran tener una breve idea de las vivencias que yo tuve durante esta semana tan maravillosa.

Day 5

Woke up around 4:30 am, my night was not that comfortable as the air mattress was deflated when I got to bed, somehow Pablo didn’t close the valve tight while inflating. Breakfast was not that good so I only had O.J. and a few eggs. I know that the cook cannot cater to everyone’s taste but just once I would have liked a bowl of GRITS. While at breakfast I usually read “The Riders Digest” which provides information about the day we are about to experience, highlights about the route, a person or group and other general information.

While Pablo went and got taped (those bad ankles) I went back to the tent to get dressed and packed up. Today is a short ride day, 43.5 miles, and is Red Dress Day. I am not sure why or how the day got its name but I remembered from last year. Since I wanted to experience all aspects of the ride, Pablo and I shopped and purchased Red Mini Skirts and other accessories prior to the trip. I choose a skirt because I am not ready for the whole dress thing, maybe I’ll post a picture on my web page. Well I got dressed in my Red Mini Skirt and waited and waited and waited for Pablo to come and get dressed so we could leave for the day.

Waiting in the mornings has become a routine for me. I wait in line to brush my teeth, I wait to eat, I wait to do my other Business and I wait for Pablo so we can leave camp.

We leave camp to the sounds of whistles and shout-outs about how nice we look (red is my color) and move on down the road to where a group of school age children are waiting for the bus. They too cheer us on and give us and the other cyclists weird looks about the way we are dressed. While passing through another residential section of town there was a child about 5 or 6 yelling for us to be CAREFUL OUT ON THE ROAD. I thought what I grown-up thing for a child to say.

The next few hours were spent on my loaner saddle, climbing hill after hill and of course some great downhills. At one point while going down a hill I came within inches of running over a snake crossing the road. Of course I wanted to stop and pee again but was afraid the rest of the family would be crossing the road soon. Today I saw the most beautiful lavender plants and could smell fennel everywhere. I am really feeling strong on these rides. I feel really blessed to have not suffered any pains outside of my Butt, not everyone has had it so well. I constantly talk to people about their pains and aches and feel a little guilty I don’t have anything but Butt pain to share.

Arrived at camp and set up my tent and ate lunch by myself. Pablo had passed out as soon as he got his lunch. Again, I had to stand in line to shower, so I just talk and ask lots of questions of whoever is there. After the shower I just chilled out and started today’s journal and reflected on how much fun I am having. I’ll confess that I did have fun today in the red mini skirt, which I will be selling at a yard sale in the near future, as I have no intention of ever wearing it again. Note to my family, Drag is not for me please do not be alarmed.

Went into Lompoc to see a movie, got dropped off by the ALC shuttle van, however, the movie didn’t start for 1 ½ hours so we went CD shopping and had an early dinner at a local Thai restaurant. The restaurant had a group of 15 before us and some how got totally freaked out and couldn’t seem to get the orders out. More and more people came in to eat and waited and waited and the waitress kept saying give me a moment. It got funnier and funnier by the moment and soon I had most of the other patrons laughing at my jokes about them being overwhelmed. Met a young lady and her daughter that were sitting behind me. Her name is Tracee Reynaud, and she sold me her CD that she is self promoting out of her purse. I hope it’s good, I bought it on her word, maybe she’ll be famous so I had her autograph the cover.

While walking to the bus stop to catch a ride back to camp we heard honking behind us. I looked down to see if I still had on the red mini skirt. No it was some lady I had never seen pulling over and offering us a ride back to camp. As I approached the car I noticed she had on an old California AIDS Ride T-shirt, so we got in.

She was on her way to visit her son who is riding and needed us to get back into camp. I asked her name and she told me Stella and that her son is the guy riding in the wheelchair. I see him everyday tackling hills better than some people on bikes and he really moves quickly.

Back to Stella, as we drove she told me that for many years she volunteered but had to quit because she wasn’t going to sleep in a tent on the hard ground any more. She further went on to say that “riding and crewing the ride is like having a baby” and that no two babies are the same and neither is any two rides. When you sign up for the ride it’s like the good news that you are pregnant and will be having a kid in a few months, with riding you are excited about participating in the event. Labor pains soon come on Day 2 and you ask yourself what have you gotten yourself into and as the pains get closer and closer around day 5 or 6 you say let’s get this ride over. After the delivery you forget all the pain and are so excited about your accomplishment, as you ride into LA you forget all the pain and excited to see your friends and family as well as being proud of what you have just accomplished. “We do the ride because we care.” Thanks, Stella, for letting me paraphrase your thoughts and include them in my journal.

Off to the talent show.

Day 4

Well folks it’s Day 4 -- Hills, Hills, Hills, those Evil Twins, the reason I trained so hard, the reason I rode 45 miles up Angelus Crest to an elevation of over 8,000 feet. My day started a little different then previous days -- I actually got up, dressed and had breakfast all before 6am this morning, so that I could go to Yoga class. The Yoga instructor is also on the massage team. Well the Yoga class provided some great stretching in spite of the sarcastically abusive methods used by the instructor. (Remember I am getting ready for all that hill climbing.) I finally get out of camp around 7am -- I had to wait for Pablo to get stretched and taped since he hurt his ankle the previous day.

The air was crisp and clean, not like the smells of Monday, and all around us were beautiful trees. As the ride began we had “warm-up” hills that started around mile 3. If these are considered warm ups, and I am already going into my low gears, what I am I going to do when I get to those twins?

When I started the first twin, I felt really good as I climbed. I caught up with one of my training leaders and as I called out “on your left” I couldn’t resist telling him that I was going to beat him to the top. He immediately started pumping faster and we basically made it to the top together (we were not riding two abreast). I later found out that he was not feeling well, so I should not stick my chest out too much.

Took pictures at the rest stop, hydrated, pissed and was off to tackle that other evil twin. The second twin seemed a little longer than the first but was manageable. Boy, I’m really happy that I trained, I may not be the fastest but I get to call out “on your left” a lot while climbing those hills. As I reached the top, there to meet me (or should I say the cyclists) were “Mom and Dad” cheering us to the top and providing cookies. I told Mom that I could not eat cookies that early in the morning while I ate the entire cookie in two bites. There also was a female cyclist who had gotten off her bike and was dancing to a boom box (I have no idea where she keeps it on her bike) to some really upbeat music.

At the official (or unofficial) halfway to LA spot, I really didn’t care that the hills all around were ALIVE and GREEN and I was feeling pretty pumped after climbing those TWINS. I just got off my bike and took a picture with Ginger, whose own TWINS seem to have grown over night. I also stood in line for over 30 minutes to have my picture taken on a rock with my bike over my head; Pablo also took a picture with me on the rock with his bike.

As I was getting ready to move on down the road I noticed that the saddle on my seat was a little weird, and it crossed my mind that my BUTT was a lot sorer than I think it should have been. Well to my dismay the saddle on my bike was broken. Note, about a month ago I went to a Chiropractor, who recommend that I buy this $140 saddle as it would be great for the ride and provide lots of support and comfort.

Since the next part of the ride to the rest stop is mainly downhill, at least 10 miles I take off. I basically never put my butt on the broken saddle and just get real low on the bike holding my balance and moving about 35 mph down the hill. When I did sit I would try to sit on the unbroken side (the saddle is only 5 inches wide and my butt is a lot wider), this was not very comfortable.

When I could no longer take it, I pulled over to the side, not wanting to get SAGGED. I thought quick, looked down and thought of McGyver (TV show many years ago), picked up a twig and temporarily fixed the saddle. Of course as soon as I hit the first bump in the road that temp fix was no good. If I haven’t mentioned it earlier, not all roads in California are well paved; many are in really bad shape; where are my DMV fees going?

I finally make it to the next rest stop where this amazing bike tech, Karl with a “K” listened to me tell my pitiful story and provided me with a saddle from his own personal bike he just happened to have with him in the truck that day. Boy is God good, I was really happy, because Karl said he would loan it to me for the remainder of the ride.

After getting the loaner saddle, I moved on down the overcast coastline to Lunch, where we had this huge climb to get to our meal and this huge climb to get out while on a full stomach. Moving further down the road I climbed more hills and saw more beauty as I rode through San Luis Obispo and stopped on the side of the road to take a picture of this spectacular old red farm that looked like something out of an epic American movie. Again, seeing California from a bike is so cool that it really is hard to describe in words, I will try hard to put some of the pictures on my web page.

As I left the water stop between rest stop 3 and 4, I got angry for the first time on the ride. I had just climbed another hill and was making my descent when another cyclist in front was riding down the middle of the road when there was a 10-foot shoulder for bikes to use and a huge truck was blowing its horn alerting him to move over. Another cyclist caught up with the inconsiderate rider and told him how inappropriate that was. I personally wanted to stick a tree branch in his spokes or at the very least have him removed from the ride. All week long we have heard about safety and still some people just don’t get it, that their inappropriate behavior can have a negative effect on the entire ride. Enough of that soapbox.

Arrived in Pismo Beach, just breathtaking and indescribable. Passed some really cool ladies who were handing out great ice cream pops and got cheered. Also was cheered earlier by some elementary students who seemed to really enjoy making noise and offering encouragement.

Today, all total I rode a little more than 103 miles. The trip sheet states 97, bike computer states 106, I guess I made some side trips.

At dinner tonight, I was very hungry and ate twice; of course, I had to share some of my Tofu Fajita with Pablo. I sat and talked to a guy named Diego. Diego lives in Carpenteria and for many years saw the California AIDS Riders come through his city and he decided that he wanted to ride someday. This is his first year and he is really enjoying himself. He tells of the encouragement that Lance Armstrong gave him to be better than him one day (they met at a ride in Santa Barbara County). I really enjoy being able to talk to different people at each meal; Pablo and I never eat with the same people twice.

After dinner the entire camp was treated to a mini concert by Tracy Chapman, who is also riding this year. She provided not only great music, but also excellent commentary on why she is riding.

I am so glad I am here. This week has just been awesome.

Day 3

Day 3's entry is by guest correspondent Rev. Ricky Hoyt, Cyclist #6266

Thanks Gilbert for letting me guest write in your journal today. Gilbert and I met on some of the training rides in Los Angeles over the last six months. I’d been training with a group called the Chain Gang; about a dozen of them are up here for the ride. They did a great job getting us all prepared, and not just for the biking but with tips and suggestions for the whole experience. (You can read my training journal on my website: www.RevRicky.com)

I’m learning that AIDS/LifeCycle is about more than biking, even though that’s the focus. It’s also a camping event, although the camping is first class: hot meal every night prepared and served to you, hot showers and sinks. (There’s no excuse not to keep shaving.) I got into camp at the end of day one and immediately called my partner at home. I excitedly told him about the day and how amazed I was at the constant volunteer service. And then I told him, as I walked over to the camp, “And they even put up all the tents for us!” Well they hadn’t. There were just so many people already in camp ahead of me that the field already looked filled.

AIDS/LifeCycle is also a community event. There’s the logistical side of creating a city every evening and taking it down every morning. But there’s also a kind of community created from human connections. I find these are building slowly but surely. Every time I sit down for dinner or stop at a rest stop, I’m meeting people and sharing stories. And then some of these people I run into again, and the stories get fuller and the sharing deeper. This kind of community won’t be taken down at the end of the week. I’ve talked to so many people who have done this ride year after year and are now here with a group of friends they met on the event or training for it.

And AIDS/LifeCycle is also an emotional experience. I cried last night at one of the stories the director of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center told us after dinner. And I cried today on the ride just because it was so beautiful and I was so happy. The emotions are linked to the physical. Our bodies are so stressed with the physical challenge, and we’re all so fatigued (anyway, I am) that it doesn’t take much to set us off. But I’m also finding that this is a safe place to be vulnerable and open about some of the heartache around AIDS many of us have been carrying for years.

It’s an interesting mix of people. Some people, like myself, are really amateur cyclists, or can hardly be called cyclists at all, and we’re here because it’s about raising money for AIDS. Then there are some experienced cyclists who are here because they enjoy the chance to do a long, well-supported, beautiful bike ride. And of course a lot of people have degrees of both reasons to be here. And we all get along well, all shapes and sizes, colors, sexualities, and ages (from 18 to 77 they announced on Opening Day). Each day’s ride is do-able for an adequately trained beginner, but they’re also challenging enough, and certainly beautiful enough, to reward an experienced cyclist.

Today’s ride started from King City. We rode through about 20 miles of rolling hills, passing sign after sign that reminded us this all belonged to the John Gill Ranch. The day started out cold but got gradually warmer throughout the day. Then we started climbing, took a break (Pirate themed) and then headed up “Quadbuster Hill.” I found the climb to be tough, but not impossible. I made it all the way up without stopping, gearing down step by step to my lowest “granny” gear. As always there were a bunch of people standing at the top to cheer.
Past the peak, the ride was gorgeous and fun, a steep descent that leveled off gradually. At mile 30 I pulled into the second rest stop. They’d themed this as “The Brady Bunch” with the volunteers dressed as the cast. Somebody had posted an architectural drawing of the Brady house (remember Mike Brady was an architect) with details indicated, like the horse sculpture in the living room and that Peter had the bottom bunk in the boy’s room.

After that the day got harder for me. We turned into a head wind, and the road was in really bad shape. I’m finding it works to just think about riding from rest stop to rest stop, each one spaced about 15 miles today. I try to keep reminding myself not just to look at the road or at my bike computer clicking off (slowly) the tenths of miles, but it’s hard when you’re picking your way around cracks in the asphalt and keeping your head down from the wind.

Lunch came at mile 43 in Bradley. We had our regular bag lunch and also next door to us the local school held a fundraising barbeque. They time the fundraiser to coincide with all of us big-hearted suckers coming through. A lot of riders opted for the barbeque instead of our bag lunch.

The final pit was at the San Miguel Mission. Unfortunately the church itself was badly damaged in an earthquake and is closed. The pit crew set up in a courtyard. They all dressed as Richard Simmons and danced around cheering our “amazing weight loss stories.” I went into the guest shop and bought a present for my partner. And then I just came out and lay in the grass in the shade. I thought about how interesting it is to spend a week in my body. Not to have to think about work or what to eat or what I’m going to do tomorrow. Not to think at all, but just to be a physical being for a week. I’m more in touch with a couple of places in my right knee than I’ve ever been in my life.

I got into camp at about a quarter to 4. There were letters from the school children in Bradley, xeroxed for all of us, thanking us for riding and telling us to be safe on the road. I cried again. It’s so nice to know there’s a hot shower and a hot meal waiting. And a massage if you want it and medical attention if you need it.

Thanks, mom and dad, for the e-mail. And thanks, Claudia Perkinson, from the church, for your e-mail and for all the support my church has given me. I’m the minister of the Unitarian Universalists of the Santa Clarita Valley (www.UUofSCV.org). They raised over a thousand dollars for my ride. And also, especially, thanks to Peleg, my partner. I put each of my day’s clothes in a separate plastic bag for easy dressing in the tent at 5am. The first day I discovered that Peleg had secretly added a greeting card to each bag. Every morning as I’m complaining about the cold and dreading the hard ride to come, there’s a message of encouragement and love from my husband back home. So I get on the bike and I get started feeling a little warmer and a little more like I can actually do this thing. Thanks, Peleg.

Day 2

Today, I completed my first CENTURY -- in case you don’t know what that is, it is a 100-mile ride. I am extremely proud of myself for completing today and feel that I am prepared to do the other days.

My day started with the smell of breakfast and soon moved on to the smell of the Honey Truck (port-a-potty cleaning truck), fresh dew, redwoods, fresh strawberries, a skunk, and lastly a fellow rider who was just a little gassy.

As I stopped to take pictures of the strawberry pickers, I noticed that they do back-breaking work so that we can have fresh fruits and vegetables, and I thought how most of us just go to the grocery store and complain about the prices we pay but never think about what it took to get that fresh produce there. I also noticed that they too use a port-a-potty and even have a place to wash their hands. The music that played while they worked was soulful but should not be mistaken for whistle-while-you-work music.

I am pretty chatty on this ride, so I make comments to cyclists as I pass them or they pass me, most of which are very pleasant.

• I met a guy and his sister who are riding together this year because the sister came to closing ceremonies, got emotional, and decided she would ride.
• I spoke with a couple who are riding a tandem bike. They met at work when their company sponsored a team, and they will be moving in together after the ride if all goes well. I teased her about not pedaling and sitting back there daydreaming and taking pictures.
• I spoke again with Ginger and asked why he does the fabulous costumes everyday. He told me that he has been HIV positive for over 24 years and that he only does drag to raise funds for HIV/AIDS-related programs.
• Lastly as I waited in line to sign up for a much-needed and well-deserved massage, (did I mention that I rode my first CENTURY today?) I met a couple from the Bay Area who have ridden in many rides that have been together for 24 years (they say that the lesbian and gay community does not have family values or can not stay together in monogamous relationships) and will continue to support this event until there is no need.

One of the most significant items today (besides that I rode my first CENTURY) is the Soledad Mission, where this 80-plus woman sold postcards of the mission and offered to mail them for us cyclists for $1.00. In addition there was an altar cloth, which cyclists were asked to sign providing insights and their thoughts. The cloth will be used on the altar at their next mass on June 27.

Then there was the Cookie lady who made some 1500 cookies for the cyclists. They were good -- of course I can eat cookies since I’m riding and needed the energy to complete my first CENTURY. I also got another cookie from MOM and DAD, a couple who have ridden before and for the last 2 years have just come out to support their son who is riding and the other cyclist they have adopted over the years.

Lastly, as I close this out today, the overwhelming feeling I get is what a UTOPIAN SOCIETY this rides represents. There are people who are using their vacations, their monies and their time to raise money for such a wonderful purpose. There are vendors and people on the ride who give their goods and services, thank us for what we are doing, and cheer us on. Cyclists who assist other cyclists along the road fix tires, chains and offer encouragement

I want to LIVE like this always.

Day 1

I woke about 3:30am in an unfamiliar place and for several minutes did not know why I was in this strange room. I soon figured it out (I had checked in at the dorm at USF) and got somewhat nervous. I left the room and traveled down the hall to the restroom where I thought I was going to pray to the porcelain gods. At about 4:30 I was ready to get on the road, all my fears and apprehensions over. The opening ceremonies were touching and somewhat emotional, especially the fact that Chicken Lady’s bike was retired to be used as the “Riderless Bike” (more on the Chicken Lady later). By now I am really excited and cannot wait to get started.

As ride-out began, the streets lined with people wishing us well, offering encouragement and thanking us for what we were doing, not to mention the one lady who encouraged us not to party too much, like that was really going to happen.

The ride progressed on dewy streets and I witnessed the first mishap when a few cyclists decided to just stop in the middle of the road without notice, causing others to run into them. Lucky no one was hurt and we moved on down the road. The weather got better, what a perfect day for a ride.

The first rest stop was after 8.5 miles and featured the goddesses of ????, not quite sure who they were representing. As we arrived to the site there were bikes and cyclists everywhere, especially in the long Porta potty lines that moved fairly quickly (note to self: when standing in line pick the one with the fewest women, men seem to take a lot less time or they have less to remove).

The climbing began soon after rest stop 1 and at the top of Skyline we were met by a beautiful 70’s “Ginger Brewlay” in black boots and mini dress -- what a nice reward after the climbs. I look forward to seeing much more of Ginger on the ride.

As the day progressed I witnessed some of the most spectacular views. Northern California is simply beautiful with stately trees and beautiful coastlines and of course the wonderful people who stood along the route offering cookies and candies or just encouragement and cheers.

At the other 3 rest stops, lunch and water stop today, I got to take pictures of a Smurf, Wonder Woman and Spiderman, I danced to Solid Gold music, and was just made to feel good and appreciated for what I was doing. One of the funny things I saw at the rest stops was a 5-gallon barrel of Butt Balm which Cyclists used an ice cream stick to scoop out and apply to the rear end in hopes of eliminating chaffing and other discomforts. Later, I heard a story of a woman who actually got a splinter in her rear while applying.

As I approached the final three miles, I heard fellow riders calling for me to stop and partake of a smoothie. In Soquel, The Ugly Mug was providing free drinks to all ALC 3 riders. The people who worked there could not have been nicer. As I arrived in camp the cheers got even louder, I felt like such a celebrity. After parking my bike, I got my gear and tent, set up camp and took a nice hot shower. Relaxed, I went out and cheered others in to camp.

The evening ended with a superb veggie chili for me, while those carnivorous people ate what I’m told was tender BBQ Beef. The announcements were humorous and insightful and probably one of the other highlights of the day.

Can’t wait to get to bed now and start all over again tomorrow, I had no idea that riding was going to be this much FUN.

Why I Ride

I am riding this year to celebrate LIFE. Although I lost my best friend and first cousin to AIDS more than 10 years ago -- and continue to lose other family and friends to this disease -- I want to celebrate the LIFE that all of us are living now, doing what we can to make our world a more enjoyable place to live.

Motivated by a desire to do something meaningful in the fight against AIDS besides write a check, I became a Roadie for AIDS/LifeCycle 2. I had no idea that my life would change so much after that experience. The following month, in July 2003, I went for my annual physical and was told by my doctor that at 308 lbs, I was MORBIDLY OBESE -- or in layman’s terms, I was so fat that I was going to die as a result. Imagine -- I had just completed my Roadie assignment in complete admiration for those who participated in the ride and was feeling totally jazzed about life, only to hear that I was going to die as a result of overeating and not exercising. That was my final WAKE-UP call.

I went home and told my partner Pablo Garcia, LA Cyclist #6096, that I was going to ride in AIDS/LifeCycle 3. Later in the week we both bought bikes and soon registered.

On my first bike ride I did about three miles, got home, and took a four-hour nap. Then the next week I managed about five miles with only a three-hour nap. With the encouragement of family, friends, Cycle Buddies, ride leaders and just about everyone out on bikes, some 10 months later I am eating healthier and shed more than 100 lbs (all naturally) and feel ready for the ride.

My sponsors have been extremely generous, and as a result I have raised more than $8,000 for the much-needed services at the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center.

I am so excited and ready for this next chapter in my life. I will take with me the memories of those who have passed on and now are looking down on me as I participate in this awesome journey called LIFE.