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Greetings from beautiful Aptos, California, the destination for Day 1 of AIDS/LifeCycle 4, 85
staggeringly gorgeous miles south of San Francisco.
This year, we’re thrilled to report, we are 1600 cyclists strong, supported by a hard-working team of
400 Roadies. And here’s more good news: As of this writing, we have raised a total of $6.8 million to
support the life-saving, life-sustaining HIV/AIDS services of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center and the San
Francisco AIDS Foundation. Here on this website, we’ll bring you the literal and figurative ups and downs
of our seven days on the road.
Impressions of Day 1:
- It’s cold as hell in San Francisco, arriving at Cow Palace at five in
the morning clad only in bike clothes and anxious to
start riding 585 miles down the coast.
- After group stretching to prepare our cold muscles for the first part of our
voyage, LAGLC CEO Lorri Jean and SFAF Board Chair Mark McCormick delivered rousing
tributes to the participants and our commitment to ending AIDS.
- With tons of riders pedaling out of the Cow Palace, a common refrain was: "Slowing…stopping…rolling!"
- The lunch stop at San Gregorio Beach brought us stunning views of the Pacific – as
well as burrs for those who sat on the grass.
- All kinds of folks cheered us on, from a medical team passing out Red Vines
to a cheering section in Santa Cruz.
- Rest Stop 4 was only 10 miles from camp, but who can pass up “Dollywood” with
buxom blonds willing to pose for a photo?
- Lots of people cheered the tailwinds that made us feel like speed demons --
too bad those same winds are now blowing tents and dirt around
the camp (don’t
worry, it’s not that bad).
- There are over 2,000 stories in this tent city of ours, and we can tell ours
at the Dedication Tent at camp each night. We can make a prayer flag, record
our thoughts in a memory book, or add a name or comment to the remembrance flags
that will be part of Closing Ceremonies. Or just take a quiet moment away from
the activity of the ride. It’s a lovely space.
Reporting by:
- Quentin O’Brien, Director of the Center’s Health and Mental Health Services (Rider #3532),
LAGLC
- Curt Shepard, Director of Government Relations (Rider #3029), LAGLC
- "Aunt Blabby"
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Riders Digest, Day 1 (PDF, 500K)