Experience AIDS/LifeCycle 4 (2005)

Why I Ride

I had always heard about ALC around town since I arrived in Los Angeles to go to school. I think I had even picked up a pamphlet a while back when I was in Jamba Juice. But like many, I saw that the ride was from San Francisco to Los Angeles and quickly put it back down again, thinking there was no way I was biking that far.

But fast forward a few years to 2004 and I met a girl named Sarah Sypniewski, who turned out to be one of the outstanding ALC Cycle Buddies. She found out that I enjoyed biking recreationally — nothing serious — and so she told me all about ALC. My first reactions were the same as before and I really didn’t think it was for me. But Sarah kept at it and kept encouraging me.

After reading about it online and talking to Sarah a bit more, I eventually psyched myself up and went to one of the informational meetings to sign up. But even at that time, I was still doing ALC because it seemed like a great challenge to bike the distance and raise the minimum donation for a good cause. Little did I know ALC would change me forever, and the reasons why I signed up originally would be so far from why I ride now.

My experiences with AIDS have never really been that personal. I have always looked at the disease from afar and lived with the erroneous belief that as long as I knew how to prevent it, I didn’t need to worry about it. Growing up, I didn’t know anyone who had AIDS except for the speakers who came to my school or people I saw on television. While I was constantly told what it was and how to prevent it, I never had a heart to do anything about it.

But I have found that during the time spent biking with ALC riders, getting to know them, and hearing their stories, my views of AIDS began to change. I’ve heard how it has devastated people’s lives, took loved ones, and causes suffering in the daily lives of many. However, I am also learning that there are many things that people are doing to help all those affected by AIDS. Now, I don’t just see only the pain and statistics of AIDS, I now see the relief and joy that people receive from those that are working to fight AIDS. I see how grateful people are to be able to get help and find hope in a battle that seems futile. This is the reason why I ride now.

This transformation in myself is a funny thing and there isn’t one specific time that I can pinpoint where my reasons for riding changed, but I’m glad they did. It’s a gradual process that is refined by your pain and sweat as you ride with the other ALC cyclists. A process that is fed by the encouragement of others, the bond of a single purpose, and the hope for a better tomorrow. And one day you wake up and realize how small you really are, but even you are a vital piece in a big puzzle.

No longer is riding in ALC about a physical challenge or donation minimum. It’s about creating hope for those who have AIDS or know people who do. It’s about bringing awareness to the fact that AIDS is still out there and we can fight it. It’s about bringing people together to show what the human spirit really is like. It’s about making a sacrifice to show that I believe that fighting AIDS matters in this world and we truly are able to make a difference if we only try.

Training for ALC4

So here it is, my first and maybe last pre-ride training update … *sigh. It’s been six months since I started training for AIDS/LifeCycle and the time has sure flown by. The ride is just a few weeks away now and I’m so excited I can hardly concentrate on anything else.

The past six months have been filled with eating pasta, flat tires, strange tan lines, swallowing bugs, aching muscles, monkey butt, Powerbars, spandex, and stretching. I’ve ridden through rain, heat, cold, mud, fog, flood, wind, and pain. I’ve met new faces and have great new stories to tell. All and all everything I’ve done up until now makes the ride seem small, but 585 miles and the experience of a lifetime is nothing to shake a finger at. I think I’m ready to tackle the ride. I just hope that I will be able to get past the 4th day mark and then I’ll be alright. My goal is to never get picked up by the sweeping bus and to ride fast, but not so fast that I don’t enjoy all the sights and fun.

Training has been tough over the past months, but well worth it. I went from biking 0 times a week in December to 4-5 times a week currently. Whereas before, biking 10 miles seemed like a lot, I can now bike 70+ miles back-to-back and still be excited for the next day. I’ve learned to love the culture, the serenity, and the competition of cycling. I can now tell you the difference between a Presta valve and a Schrader valve. I’ve been able to see parts of Greater Los Angeles that I might have never seen from a car and am healthier for it. Oddly enough, I feel like I’ve learned to slow the fast pace of life by racing through the streets on a bike.

I can’t say enough good things about the ALC training rides. They are so well put-together, fun, and challenging. Without them I wouldn’t be anywhere near ready to do the actual ride. I’ve learned everything from biking etiquette to cycling techniques from them. I’ve met great people who will be doing the ride with me and my reasons for riding have been greatly influenced by my time spent on training rides. Training rides have helped me mentally get ready to tackle the 585 miles, but they also allowed me to fully experience the spirit of ALC. In a way, I got to see what the ride will be like in a mini version every time I went on a training ride. If I hadn’t gone on any of the training rides, I would have only really experienced half of what ALC had to offer.

And not only has the training aspect of AIDS/LifeCycle surprised me. Time and time again, I am shocked at how everyone that I know has gone out of their way to help me to raise money and encourage me. This ride has rekindled old friendships, strengthened current ones, and started new ones. It’s allowed me the opportunity to reach out to the community and try to change the world, not just complain about it.

So now here we are, just about ready to embark on the main event. All I’ve got to remember is to eat before I’m hungry, drink before I’m thirsty, keep pedaling, and enjoy the experience before it’s over.

Day 0 - Orientation

I arrived at the Cow Palace today at 10:30am and I must say that it is quite fitting that orientation be here. To my shock there were hundreds of people all waiting in lines to get registered to ride, all packed in like cattle and inching forward toward the registration tables! It was quite a sight to behold. It was hard to silence the continual urge to say, “moooo.” People were all busy delivering bikes, getting tent mates, finalizing donations, and getting all sorts of nifty goodies to use during the ride.

As we all went through each process, you could feel the energy in the air. People were excited to be there and ready for the big day tomorrow. People were laughing and smiling, catching up with riders they might not have seen since the last ALC. For others, it was their first time doing ALC and they looked nervous, unsure what they were getting themselves into.

Like the first day of college, I waited in line like a wide-eyed freshman. Taking in all the new incredible sights and sounds. Not really sure if I was doing it all correctly, but always being reassured by ALC veterans. I was happy to see many of the people I had met during the SoCal training rides, and it made me feel not so overwhelmed to see faces I knew amongst the hundreds of ALC cyclists and Roadies.

First I signed in and received my personal ALC packet with my rider numbers and ALC wristband. Then I ran over to the safety video center to try to catch the 12:30 showing. Once inside, I watched the video with a few hundred other riders and we learned about proper riding techniques and how the days on the ride would work. Everyone loved the video and we all cheered and laughed at all the speakers and jokes. After the safety video, I headed over to get a tent assignment. To my good fortune, I met another rider I recognized from some training rides in Los Angeles and we decided to be tent mates! And with that, I was all set to begin riding the ride of my life the next day.

I went home invigorated with newfound strength to overcome my growing nervousness for ALC 4. I knew that all those people at the Cow Palace were going to be going through the same thing I would be for the next 7 days. Many had already survived multiple ALCs and had returned for more. Others had been Roadies in the past and this was their first time riding in the race.

But no matter who they were or why they rode in the race, everyone was there because they cared about curing the AIDS epidemic and helping people with HIV/AIDS. I wasn’t sure what the next day was going to be like, but I was sure that this ride was going to be awesome.

Day 1 - San Francisco to Aptos

Unfortunately, I really didn’t get much sleep last night. Partly due to first-time nerves and partly because I procrastinated on getting all my stuff together for the ride. But I was luckily still able to get out of the house by 4am to get to the Cow Palace by 5am.

When we arrived at the Cow Palace it was a mad house out on the street. Thousands of cyclists and Roadies cluttered the streets with cars, bikes, and pedestrians. Friends, family, and other supporters gave hugs and kisses to their spandex-clad riders. And everyone lugged their bags to the waiting trucks that would take them to our campsite. Being a typical San Francisco morning, it was freezing outside and just stepping out of the car in my biking gear made me shiver uncontrollably. But after putting on my arm warmers and a wind breaker, I felt better.

Inside the Cow Palace was just as much a madhouse. My first item of business was to “dehydrate” since I had drank a lot of water before getting there, so off to the bathroom I went. Then I headed over to prep my bike for the ride out. In bike parking over 1000 bikes waited for their owners and I found my baby and got her ready for the ride. Then we headed over to the opening ceremonies in the next room.

There people were going through pre-ride stretching exercises just before the riderless bike went by to honor all those lost to AIDS. Then a few speakers thanked all the Cyclists and Roadies for their contributions to the ride and, to a room of cheers, we were informed that this year 1,600 riders had raised over 6.8 million dollars to fight AIDS. It was hard to believe the big day was finally here and that the hard work of so many had raised so much!

By now I was chomping at the bit to get going, and when they announced the official opening of the AIDS/LifeCycle 4, six months of pent-up excitement during my training was finally released. I practically ran to my bike so that I could head off ASAP!!

As we rode out of the Cow Palace, our supporters lined the streets cheering us on and wishing us well. Some people rang cowbells, others had signs, and some just yelled their loudest. It was almost like a parade of cruising, colorful, crazy people as we rode through the streets chatting and calling out safety signals. Things were a bit slow because there were so many of us, but eventually we were able to get out of the city.

Once on the road I was treated to my first rest stop of this adventure. At the stop we were able to have numerous amounts of yummy snacks from energy bars to fresh fruit. An army of porto potties was also waiting for us to service the needs of the 16 hundred riders. After taking a quick break I headed back on the road to tackle the still-remaining 70 or so miles.

Today’s course was anything but easy, but it was a nice introduction to the days ahead. We had to climb some challenging hills and had some great downhills as well. What I will remember the most about today, though, is how the ALC and extended community rallied around to help us and encourage us. Roadies on motorcycles and in cars directed us to the right directions and made sure we were safe. They designed humorous and crazy ways to entertain us as we biked mile after mile. They made themes for each rest stop ranging from Rock & Roll, where we were greeted by KISS, to Dollywood, where cross-dressing Dolly Partons told us to “Come back soon ya hear!”

Then there were the local people in the communities that we rode through and the friends & family of the riders. Many of them came out onto the street to cheer us on and help us out in any way they could. People on the side of the road held up signs of loved ones they had lost and thanked us for riding as we went by. We were even treated to any item off the menu at a local coffee house in Santa Cruz. Imagine that, 1600 cups of coffee and espresso!

The scenery today was also to die for. Although it was windy and cold, the sky was incredibly blue and you could see for miles. We rode through forests and past lakes; next to the ocean and through the city. Mile after mile the time went by faster then I could have hoped for and I rarely found myself looking at the mileage on my computer. As if planned perfectly, every moment I thought I didn’t have anything left and my legs couldn’t pedal anymore, there was a rest stop or another person cheering and clanging a cowbell to rejuvenate me. So onward I would trudge, as if powered by those people’s very will for me to succeed, and when I finally rolled into camp at the end of the day it made it all that much more worth it.

And so now it’s the end of the day and I’m exhausted, both physically and emotionally. This first day of ALC was so jam-packed with experiences that I will never forget and right now it’s so hard for me to even comprehend them all. Therefore, it’s off to bed to prepare for another incredible day on the road in the ALC. I promise tomorrow I’ll be more awake and I’ll tell you all about the other incredible stuff that is going on.

Day 2 - Aptos to King City

While yesterday was a long and draining day, it was only a warm-up for today! Yesterday was more emotionally draining with all the excitement and people. However, today was a true test of riding craziness. By the end of the day, everyone would be a grand total of 98.7 grueling miles toward our ultimate goal. But let’s begin at the beginning first.

This morning was unbelievably cold, and waking up at the crack of dawn doesn’t help either. Getting out of my tent the scene reminded me very much of something out of “Night of the Living Dead.” Groggy, limping, and moaning bodies emerged out of hundreds of tents squinting and cursing the morning sun. Seeking the most basic needs of food, sleep, and bathrooms, this horde of riders slowly made their way toward the main camp.

Thankfully we were all revived from our zombied states by a international breakfast of breakfast burritos, oatmeal, fruits, and coffee. Other excitement around camp during the morning was hearing that a large section of the camp was rudely awakened by being rained on by sprinklers that went off at 3am and flooded their camp. More excitement: seeing how full porto potties can really get when 1,600 people wake up and are ready to do their deed.

When we finally rode out, we were soon treated to an incredible change of scenery. While yesterday we rode out of San Francisco and along the coast to Santa Cruz, today California opened up before us to reveal its rural fields of fruits, vegetables, and farms. Every hill we rolled over seemed to show us a new produce, but by far the most tasty today was the artichoke. Every year all the riders stop at this one produce shack and buy either steamed artichokes or fried artichoke hearts. I myself went for the fried artichoke hearts and they were Mmm Mmm good! There’s nothing like fried goodness after you’ve got off your bike and are dying for sustenance.

A curse and a blessing today was the constant winds throughout the route. Headwinds blasted us unmercifully making pedaling anywhere extremely hard. Then crosswinds threatened to blow us off the road. It was almost humorous at times looking down the road as everyone leaned into the wind to keep from being blown over. We all looked like drunken cyclists as we wobbled back and forth and leaned diagonally while biking. But with mean cross- and head winds come fabulous stretches of road when the wind is at your back. So while those cherished stretches lasted, I made sure to put my bike in its largest gear and go blasting down the road at 35 miles an hour.

One of the highlights of today was getting to meet the famous “Cookie Lady” and to sample her tasty cookies. Known for starting to cook homemade cookies for every rider months before ALC, she passes the cookies out with her cookie helpers in a cookie costume. I must say that her cookies also lived up to their reputation as well! You could have chocolate chip, oatmeal chocolate chip, or oatmeal chocolate chip with nuts. It’s just too bad you couldn’t try all three…

Speaking of food, I am constantly astounded and shocked by the limitless vortex that has my stomach has become. Throughout the course of a day on the ride I eat a full breakfast, snacks at every rest stop, a energy bar on the road, some tasty treat at a local traditional ALC city stop, a generous bagged lunch, and enough for two at dinner. Where does this food all go? Straight into my legs for power to the road I say!

So let me tell you about camp as I promised I would yesterday. Camp is an experience all unto itself. From the moment you ride in to the finish line and there are people clapping and cheering your arrival, you don’t have time to relax quite yet. First, I have to find my camping plot, which seems to be in a different area each time. Then I have to get my bags and tent from the truck. After that, I attempt to set up my tent with my tent mate amongst gale force winds. Then I sprint to the showers to hopefully beat the crowds, cuz let me tell you there is NOTHING like a hot shower these days. And finally, before I pass out, it’s time to satiate the vortex beast, my stomach. Before I know it it’s 8pm and time for bed! But it’s all good fun and without it all it wouldn’t be the ALC.

Day 2 was another successful day and I’m getting more used to the routine and the nerves are gone. Unfortunately, now the soreness of the ride is setting in and the comforts of home are starting to be missed. I look forward to seeing what cool things tomorrow will bring and what challenges it will present. I grow closer to all the people each day and I hope that as we travel across this golden state we are bringing greater awareness to the fight against AIDS. I’m glade that today is only the end of day 2 because that means there is still lots more of ALC to experience. But for now, it’s off to bed again to hope my body can repair itself before tomorrow begins again.

Day 3 - King City to Paso Robles

There has got to be something very good or very bad about the fact that this morning when I looked at the ride slip I was excited that it said 77 miles until our next camp. Perhaps it is the fact that yesterday’s said 98 miles and 77 miles meant that my legs wouldn’t quite be mush when I was done… but boy was I wrong.

Today I was dying from the moment I woke up. Starting with being chilled to the bone once again and the compounding of two other days of intense riding, today was a hard day to get warmed up to bike. My butt was extra tender, my back and neck were stiff, my quads hurt, and my toes were numb. Thankfully, today’s weather was significantly warmer and I got a bit of a sun tan to warm me up.

The bane of today’s existence was the heat and the wretched roads. Since it was pretty cool the previous days at first I was happy to see the sun, but soon it got to hot hot hot!! Sun tan lotion flowed freely amongst all the riders and constant hydration was a must. And then there were the wretched roads for miles and miles today. You never quite appreciate the ease and comfort of riding on nice roads until they aren’t there anymore. From the get go, I had to dodge crack after crack to avoid my certain crashing doom. Then there were constant bumps and holes every few feet which vibrated my butt and arms to numbness. On the very rare occasion that we were treated to a patch of newly paved road it was like the sweetest caress of my increasingly sore gluteus maximus.

Kicking off the morning’s ride was a quick jaunt from our campsite into the local hills. I tried to conserve what little energy I had, for I knew somewhere amongst those innocent looking hills was THE QUAD BUSTER, or so people call it. As the lore goes it’s one of the toughest hills on the ride and the destroyer of rider’s quads. So I figured I’d better save up for the main event. Unfortunately, as I rolled up hill after hill it seemed that I would never make the Quad Buster because time and time again my legs failed me. But before I knew it we were upon the Quad Buster and it had begun.

Up and up we went at a snail’s pace, barely the speed one walks at. All I focused on was the creeeeek of my pedals and trying my best to stay balanced. Every so often I’d say, in the weakest voice, “on your left” as I passed another dying rider. After each bend the Quad Buster would taunt us with another long stretch of uphill with rider after rider colorfully decorating its menacing roads. And then just as fast at it began, it was over, and we were at the top cheered on by riders and roadies blowing whistles and handing us refreshments. I found it very amusing that even though you wanted to wave and smile at all your fans, it was hard to get the look of pain off one’s face!

After the Quad Buster, my goal for today was to get to camp ASAP so that I could rush to the massage tent and sign up for a massage. So as I zipped through the great grasslands of California, I tried to take in the scenery more quickly then before. Seeing so many rolling hills of grassland today, I half expected to see herds of buffalo come trampling over the countryside and Kevin Costner talking to some Native Americans on the side of the road… but no such luck. For a brief time it seemed like the Quad Buster had woken up my lost strength and I lead a little train of riders at a great pace that let us stretch our legs, but that was short lived. Soon it was back to the grindstone as we went for mile after mile on roads that seemed to never end. As the heat sapped your strength, it seemed that no matter how fast you went the road just kept going.

For lunch we were treated to a special burger fundraiser for a local elementary school in the middle of nowhere. As we waited in line to get our burgers and egg rolls, the kids tried to get us to buy pens and shirts with their school logos on it. For a town so small this huge event rolling through their town must be quite a spectacle and judging by the kids’ excitement I’m sure it was. After that, it was on the road again and time to pack away a few more miles before the next rest stop.

Another highlight of today was the final rest stop of the day. Its theme was “The Sound of Music” and they even performed a little puppet show for us straight out of the movie. They all had great costumes made out of drapes and they danced around acting out scenes from the film. After being cooked to death on the road, this show provided just the right distraction from my pain and exhaustion to make it to camp.

Because today was a shorter day I arrived at camp around 2:45pm and booked it on over to the massage tent to sign up. Thankfully, I was able to get a spot and so satisfied with my goal attained, I headed off to take a shower. My appointment at the massage tent wasn’t until 5:35pm so I had some time after my shower to enjoy the warmth out of the sun in my tent and I took a little nap.

The 15-20 min massage was awesome and while I did have moments when I thought I might scream because of the “deep tissue” action on my dying quads, I now feel very invigorated for tomorrow. I also got my neck and shoulders worked on a bit, which was a relief since it’s tough to hold up my big noggin for 6 hours a day on a bike.

With another day in the bag tomorrow we will actually reach the half way mark of the ride. I keep having to remind myself to conserve my energy because we’ve still got days more to ride and the 8 hours of sleep a night I get is still not enough to allow my body to repair itself from the day’s festivities. But all is well and I’m having a blast! There is truly nothing like this experience that I have ever gone through and I am so happy that I decided to seize the opportunity to take this adventure.

Day 4 - Paso Robles to Santa Maria

This morning I got up feeling refreshed, strong, and ready to rock. Yesterday’s shorter ride and my massage sure helped rejuvenate my tired muscles. However, feeling a bit weary of overdoing myself before the week was up, I decided to take my time getting out of camp. I washed up, had a leisurely breakfast, then did both the aerobic and yoga groups before putting on my biking gear to head out.

Today’s route would prove to be a great challenge and our second 98+ mileage ride this week. We would face “The Evil Twins” and then once again pound our rears into oblivion in the baking sun. Being the fourth day of consecutive riding, lots of people are feeling the effects of the saddle time and trips to the medical tent are frequent. Thankfully, I haven’t had any serious injuries beyond a sore butt and the average aches and pains.

We tackled The Evil Twins early in the morning, barely 20 miles into our ride. The Evil Twins are named such because they are two challenging climbs one after another. But in my opinion, I’d say they were more like 5-6 challenging hill climbs strung together! The climbs aren’t as steep as The Quad Buster, but they do go on and on which eats away at your will to pedal. Once again, the view was spectacular on the way up The Evil Twins. Wheat fields were being harvested and hundreds of bales of hay sat ready for pickup. Green mountains stretched as far as the eye could see, thanks to the fall rains, and the morning breeze made for perfect biking weather.

As we crested to the top of The Evil Twins and headed our way down, we were treated to the spectacular sight of THE HALF WAY MARK of the ride! From the lookout point you could see miles of California leading to the beach and ocean. Everyone made sure to stop and wait in lines to get their pictures taken with their bikes to celebrate our accomplishment. After that it was an incredible high-speed blast down the other side of the mountain, which had to have been at least 3 miles long. With the challenge of The Evil Twins over, now all that remained was the sheer length of the mileage left for today.

Mile after mile we went on our way through hill and coastline to dusty farmland. One memorable rest stop was along the San Luis Obispo beach line and we snacked on bananas, oranges, and other treats to the sounds of the crashing waves. Eventually we made our way more inland again and it began to heat up. Coastline turned back into farmland and the crosswinds picked up, which made biking difficult. At mile 85 the winds became a real hassle again and everyone began biking sideways. But just when I thought I couldn’t stand it anymore there was another rest stop to rest my weary bones and to refill my water bottles. Then it was just a few miles to camp and the end of just about another “century.”

My thoughts for today: Long distance cycling or any serious cycling for that matter is NOT a glamorous sport! All of us 1,600 riders are a ragged-looking bunch, especially while we ride. We’re a sunburned, sweaty, snot-running-out-of-our-nose, smelly, cracked-lipped, porta potty-using, butt-chaffed, injured, will-eat-anything, frequently-peeing, rolling motley bunch all intent on one thing … making it into camp.

After mile 50 you don’t care what you look like, smell like, or what lurks in your nasty gloves. All that matters is anything that will make you feel better reaching the next rest stop. If you’ve got to pee you’ll have a Cycle Buddy keep watch and give the thumbs up to riders going by as you book it into the bushes to relieve yourself. If your nose and cheeks are hurting from sunburn, you’ll put on suntan lotion with SPF so high that it’s just basically white paint, you’ll ride looking like a mime. You’ll put on creams where you never thought they could go to relieve chaffing and saddle sores. Anything that just makes you feel better and you know that the rider next to you will know what you’re going through cuz they’re a sweaty, half-asleep, butt-cream-using mime too … so it’s all good.

Today I also decided that I’d cheer riders on who were coming into camp later in the day, up until the last rider. It was a good ol’ time and while it was cold it was well worth it. It’s always great to see all the different riders coming in. Some are really ecstatic, while others look like they are about ready to fall off the bike. But I know that all of them are happy to see us cheering them on as they finally get home. Also, when the last rider of the day makes it in, they get a whole big parade as them come in. Everyone comes out to cheer and all the SAG (Stop and Go) cars and motorcycles drive in following the rider. Everyone hoots and hollers, the cars honk their horns, and the motorcycles gun their engines announcing the arrival of the last rider. And after it’s all done, everyone pats the person on the back and congratulates them for a job well done. It almost makes you want to come in last just to get the parade!

And so once again, today was a day never to be forgotten. It was full of loud and crazy moments, like the last rider’s parade, and quiet moments when only the sound of my tires on the pavement could be heard. The road we traveled was long, but happily butter-smooth and I survived another immense day. Although today was a great day of riding for me, my body is still utterly exhausted from the mileage. Thankfully, tomorrow’s ride is very short and it will be a day of rest for us all. Tomorrow will be a great day to slow down on the route and take some more pictures of cool stuff.

Now that I’m finally setting into the routine of ALC, I’m getting to enjoy all the small details and special moments more. Individual people’s stories, small beautiful scenic moments, and the bond of community all add to the experience. I’ve got to make sure I enjoy every moment because it is all ending so quickly. Sadly before long I’ll have to wait a whole year to do it all again, but I’ll be counting each day until then.

Day 5 - Santa Maria to Lompoc

Today would be a short ride in comparison to the others we’d done the past few days. We would ride for half the day, only about 40 miles. You could say that it would be an R&R fun day. Today was also “Red Dress Day,” as it was deemed a while ago. On this day, those who had them, man and woman, would don red dresses or some form of red clothing as they rode. With all 1,600 riders wearing red, we would create a giant twisting red ribbon symbolizing the fight against AIDS and the reason we ride.

Because it was red dress day and everyone knew it was a short ride, spirits were exceptionally high this morning. People cheered as their friends emerged from their tents wearing their crazy red outfits and hundreds of pictures were taken. Not having a red dress myself … I opted for my red jersey and joined the crimson parade. Even many of the Roadies and staff joined in the festivities and a sea of red poured onto the streets of Santa Maria.

Since it was a short day, I took my time getting out of camp and today would be a party day for me. Surprisingly, even though I took my time I seemed to get out just about the same time as I normally do!?!? Perhaps I’m just getting efficient in my gearing up now. Once on the road, I stayed extra long in the pit stops and enjoyed all the excitement and great costumes. One rider even went so far as to sew together a 6-foot-tall pillow-type thing in the shape of a red ribbon, and he rode all 40 miles with it strapped to his back! Some riders rode in red stockings and strange wigs, and others miraculously biked in red mini skirts or long flowing dresses. All the unique pageantry of today attracted the most attention amongst riders and onlookers. It was indeed a sight, seeing motorists with confused looks on their faces as they watched us go by.

Our first rest stop of today was in a very small town in the middle of nowhere, but the local radio station had set out speakers and was playing some great music to cheer everyone on. Joining with the fun, many stopped to dance and welcome others into the stop. Then, it was up another set of challenging hills, even though we had thought the worst was over with the end of The Evil Twins and other named hills. But once at the top, I stopped with some other people to clap for riders still on their way and give them encouragement to just make it the last few yards to the top. Pretty soon we had our own party going and we cheered riders on for the better part of an hour.

After that I took off down the mountain and as the 40 miles melted away it got a bit colder. Before I knew it, we were rolling into camp in another small town called Lompoc and the day was over far sooner then I had hoped. I still wanted to see many of the red dress costumes and cheer more riders on, but that will have to wait until tomorrow.

After dinner tonight we were treated to a rider talent show which featured dancing, singing, poetry, juggling, and stand up. Like any talent show the acts were good and bad, but they were all entertaining or meaningful in one form or another. My favorites were one poet’s work on racism and a guy’s hip hop dancing.

Before I go I wanted to tell you all about what it’s like biking such a long distance and being a human windshield for the last 5 days. Like it or not, if you do this ride you will swallow many varieties of flying insects as you make your way to Los Angeles. It’s as if the bugs fly right toward your face as you go zooming by. And what can you do … NOTHING, because you’re huffing and puffing yourself gasping for air! So down the hatch they go and you get that little added amount of protein to help repair your muscles. It’s either that or they *Thwack* into your face or glasses and leave nice bug juice after bouncing off your extremities. In any case, it’s pretty nasty but another hazard of cycling.

Today was a great day for riding, a party atmosphere (as opposed to one of anxiety), and the conditions were just right. Warm at times and cool when it need be, it was just another beautiful day. I wish the ride could have lasted longer, so we could all have more fun, but it’s good to get some much needed rest before another longer day tomorrow. We’re nearing the finish line and we only have to keep our bodies together for a few more days! Soon I will be rolling into Los Angeles and home again …

Day 6 - Lompoc to Ventura

Without fail, each and every day on ALC is unique and different unto itself. Some are extremely tough physically, others are emotionally draining. One day you might feel like you wish you were home and another you might wish you never have to return home. But I guarantee that everyday will be different than the next and each day’s ride will surprise you in a way you would never expect.

Today for me was a thoughtful day, easy on the body but full of thinking that weighed heavy on my mind. Not in a bad way, but in a satisfying and fulfilling way. After hitting the road to begin this day’s 84-mile trek, it was once again very hard to get warmed up and going. The morning was extremely cold, which was disappointing because SoCal is supposed to be warm…isn’t it? But onward I went, through more farm and field, until we hit the beach around noon.

I thought about how my life had changed in the last few years, I thought about what I wanted the world to be like in the future, I thought about how my experiences riding in ALC had changed my perspective, and I thought about pretty much every other thing there was to think about. I did so much thinking that I got myself into a funk and didn’t feel like I was riding well or was doing enough. But that’s when it happened… my very own ALC “angel moment” as they are called around camp. They might be people who stop to change a flat or help push you up a hill. They could be supporters cheering you on from the side of the street holding signs of their loved ones long gone. Or they could even be children let out of school to watch the riders go by so that they can experience a bit of the good going on in the world beyond their small city.

But for me, it was a woman whose name I will never know and face I will barely remember. She was volunteering at one of the community-run rest stops today called “Paradise Pit” in Santa Barbara. Every year they bring together a few different community companies and organize this impromptu pit stop, where you are treated to ice cream and strawberries to your heart’s content. I had arrived at Paradise Pit and was wandering about seeing if anyone I knew was there, while snacking on the goodies and taking pictures. When I figured I’d better hit the road again — I got all my gear together and picked up my bike to leave — someone tapped me on the shoulder. I turned around to see this lady standing before me and she looked me in the face and said, “you know, you’re a hero…” then she smiled.

I don’t know if it was what she said or the sincerity of how she said it, but I had the greatest feeling of humility sweep over me. I felt so happy to be part of AIDS/LifeCycle and to have been given the chance to be a small part of this greater body of individual heroes. Each and every person came to the ride for a different reason, but all doing what they could to bring out the best in each other and the community around them. And in that sense we truly are all Heroes.

After my “angel moment,” I continued on with the day’s ride with a revitalized outlook. The rest of the day passed by quickly and after a stop along the coast to see a troop of tutu-wearing dancers welcoming us into rest stop 4, it was into camp at a local Ventura Beach.

Seven days of porta potties, Gatorade, sleeping in tents, communal showers, protein & carbs, morning newsletters, evening entertainment, freezing winds, packing bags, and waking up early is all coming to an end. Tonight will be the last night in “Tent City” and the last evening we will all be together as one large group for ALC. I’m somewhat sad and somewhat glad, but living life means change and change is good. Many thank you’s were said and congratulations were given. Ending the whole night was a stunning candlelight vigil on the beach. Riders, roadies, staff, and friends/family stood in silence in a gigantic circle along the beach holding candles to remember those lost to HIV/AIDS. In total there had to have been AT LEAST 2,500 people there on the beach and the sight was mind-blowing. You could see the stars in the sky and everyone’s candles made a seemingly endless chain of lights along the beach. A cool breeze came from the sea as the waves washed up on the shore and I thought how great it was that so many people cared about finding a cure for this disease.

Tomorrow is the end of this great experience and I’ve learned so much while having an incredible time. I will be glad to see a warm bed and a ceramic toilet, but the events of the past week will forever remain close to my heart. I look forward to rolling into the City of Angels and joining in the emotional climax of the event to end this great week. I hope that it will not only be meaningful for all of us that participated in the ride, but also those who see and attend the closing ceremonies as well. With a little work and some faith we’ll be able to make this event twice as big next year!

Day 7 - Ventura to Los Angeles

Today I woke up to the chill of a Ventura beach morning. On this last day of the ride it was once again really tough to get out of my sleeping bag and rolling. Luckily, I had the excitement of the last day to spur me on. My tent mate and tent neighbors, who I’ve become very close to in the last week, made sure to make fun of me and my choice of clothing. Wearing a sleeveless jersey, arm warmers, and biking shorts they told me that I was extremely optimistic about the weather today, as I froze my buns off. But in the end I would have the last laugh as the weather cleared itself up to present a beautiful warm day for the closing ceremonies.

Even though this would be the last day of riding in this incredible adventure, we still had a challenging day ahead of us. It was a treacherous 60 miles riding alongside insane Saturday LA drivers until we reached the finish line. Thankfully, no one was hurt and everyone made it safe and sound to the end. Riding my way towards LA, I felt a sense of joy and sadness because I knew it was all coming to an end. I was excited to be home again and could taste the end very near, but I was sad that soon this experience would be over.

There were many times during this last day when I purposely slowed down to try and savor the remaining moments before they quickly passed by. Even then, before I knew it we were rolling along the PCH on once-again familiar pavement to my eyes. Before long we were in Malibu and I was eating lunch alongside my fellow riders for the last time. As I sat there eating my roast beef sandwich, I looked around at all the smiling faces and satisfied riders. It made me happy to just be amongst everyone for one last time and I quietly enjoyed the moment.

After arriving early into Brentwood, since closing ceremonies didn’t start for another 2 hours, I decided to enjoy a Jamba Juice while I waited for time to pass. As time went on, a few other riders stopped to burn some time as well and we took pictures and congratulated each other on our accomplishment.

Finally, with the time drawing near, I headed out to cross the finish line and end my riding time for ALC 4. Entering into the Veteran’s Administration Center and crossing the finish line was awesome. Friends and family lined the street to cheer us on, wave banners, pompoms, and shout congrats. I couldn’t help but smile with joy at such a warm welcoming as I coasted to a stop. I had finally made it and my body and spirit had not failed me. It was now time to finish up this ride and enjoy closing ceremonies.

Around 4pm it was time to have closing ceremonies and all 1,600 riders and 400 roadies gathered to head towards the stage. Only now could I fully appreciate the vast amount of people who rode in ALC. There seemed to be riders as far as I could see stretching toward the stage as we prepared to do our final “ride in.” When we finally began to roll into the closing ceremonies area it was quite a sight to see. Once inside we were treated to congratulations and thanks from many of the ride’s organizers and we watched clips of our 7-day journey on the megatron.

Some of the best and most emotional moments were when the riderless bike was paraded down the center to symbolize all the people that had been lost to AIDS and when the CEO of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian center asked us all to take part of ALC’s spirit with us into our own daily lives to make the world a better place. I found myself overwhelmed with emotions as I listened to and watched all that we had done and accomplished during the past 7 days. I couldn’t believe that it was all over and like all great things it had gone by far too quickly.

My Final Thoughts: To me AIDS/LifeCycle has changed my life. It has allowed me to experience joys and struggles that I might have never been able to before. It has allowed me to put into practice my beliefs, that we can make the world better then it was before. It has allowed me to accomplish something great for someone other than myself. It has allowed me the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends. It has inspired me and those around me. It has allowed me to laugh, cry, sweat, bleed, believe, and cheer for one worthy cause. It has taught me to believe in myself and the power of the human spirit. It has allowed me to fight for a cure for HIV/AIDS.

So now here I sit, back in my nice furnished apartment. Warm, comfortable, clean, and off a bike. I’ve taken my own personal shower, prepared my own food, and used a real toilet. But the magic of AIDS/LifeCycle and the community that rallied around it are gone. I know for sure I will participate in ALC 5, but I also know that there will be nothing like the magic of the first-time rider. So I try desperately to cling to the memories and emotions of the days gone by, while I promise to keep the spirit of ALC in my heart. Shortly I will return to my everyday life, but for now I think that I will just enjoy everything ALC has given me and wear my dog tags and wristbands for a bit while longer…

Signing off until next year,

Matt Quan
Rider #3536