Reflections on AIDS/LifeCycle 2022
I'm just back from 7 days of cycling, totaling 545 miles, during AIDS/LifeCyle. Our team of 20 raised, the Carols, $207,924.50. To put the generosity of our donors in context, each rider has to raise $3K to ride and because of you, I raised $12,500. Without my donors, I wouldn't have had this opportunity to give back to my community.
For those not familiar with this ride, it has 2 major goals, end stigma associated folks who are HIV positive and to provided equitable access to prevention, care, and support programs for everyone. This event funds both the SF AIDS Foundation and the LA LGBT Center. Riders who come for norther California donations go directly to SF AIDS Foundation, as they continue to center the communities with the highest risks through programs like Black Brothers Esteem, provide Spanish language support groups, and offer programs specifically tailored to the needs of trans and non-binary folks. SF AIDS Foundation also has made major impacts on policy and development of PREP, sharply reducing the transmission of HIV in SF and impacting global policy on its use.
I wanted to share a bit more about my journey with you all. I hope this encourages others to join AIDS/LifeCycle next year and shines a light on this unique event.
The Route
Day 1: SF to Santa Cruz (82 miles)
We set off our journey from the cow palace in SF on our way to Santa Cruz. Where we learned that we raised nearly $18 million for the SF AIDS Foundation and the LA LGBTQ Center, shattering records for the ride with 300 fewer riders than normal. For the first 40 miles, we were faced with torrential rains, a first for me riding in those conditions. Later in the eve arrived wet and exhausted in Santa Cruz.
Day 2: Santa Cruz to King City (109 Miles)
The longest day of 109 Miles. This was both mentally and physically challenging with long stretches of lonely riding, but one of the prettiest days on the route with long stretches of coastal and inland farmland. This route has my favorite stop in all of the ride, in Castroville, with lots of artichoke tastiness. All in all, I completed my fastest century ever in about 7.5 hours, thanks to some amazing tailwinds.
Day 3: King City to Paso Robles (63 Miles)
This is always the hottest day on the ride, at 96 degrees it did not disappoint. Much ice water and Ice Cream were had at stops. The Highlight of the day also Is stopping for lunch at the Bradley school. AIDS/Lifecycle participants have truly transformed this school and community and changed minds. Every year (sadly not the last 2 years), the Bradley public schools fundraise by selling burgers to ALC participants. This 1 fundraiser enables arts and sports education. But the most touching thing is it has changed folks' minds in the community about HIV and the LGBT community. Because of the symbiotic relationship with this community the school has evolved to teach LGBT history as a part of its curriculum and has reduced stigma in this rural community.
Day 4: Paso Robles to San Maria (93 miles)
The halfway point to LA is a 7-mile climb from camp and a gorgeous day coming back from the inland back to the ocean, with amazing descents and sea air ending in Santa Maria.
Day 5: San Maria to Lompoc (43 miles red dress day)
One of the best days on the ride and also the shortest, it originated as dress in red day to capture the ribbon-like nature of the ride and honor the cause, but leave it to us to turn it extra and over the years it has evolved into red dress day, our team the Carols, themed us as Self-Carol dressing for a spa day. We rode steep climbs in drag and had a lot of fun with bubble machines as we moved through the ride as a group.
Day 6: Lompoc to Ventura (89 miles)
This is truly my favorite day on the ride, it is not only the most beautiful stretch on the ride as it's almost entirely coastal on calm paths with the ocean always visible but in the camp on the beach on the ride the true meaning of the ride reveals itself. I wanted to share a moment from camp in Ventura. Ordinarily, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence host a guided ceremony on the beach to remember those our community lost to HIV and AIDS. 3,500 candles are handed out and, like a ripple, each rider lights another's a candle. We are usually directed to extinguish the candle in the sea when we feel the time is right before returning to our tent. This year something different happened. Someone in the middle of the crowd decided to kneel unprompted, planting their candle in the sand. They sat and reflected before moving back to allow others to do the same. Those of us on the outer rim wondered what was happening. As others continued to step back, that ripple grew and manifested a current of hope. We stood and sat silently for over an hour, in the community. This moment brought me to tears thinking both about the folks in my life affected by HIV, what would it mean if I did not know them and love them, and the memories of those lost to the crisis. One of my teammates highlighted a story of a friend they lost only 5 years ago, due to their internalized stigma and not seeking treatment. While we have the tools to fight this disease we still have a lot of work to fight the stigma and make it safe for folks in the BIPOC community and those affected by the opioid crisis to seek treatment.
Day 7: Ventura to the finish line in WeHo (70 miles)
The last day on the ride is filled with adrenaline, both at the excitement of finishing the ride and the harrowing ride on the PCH in Malibu with drivers who are not very accommodating to the cyclist. This day is also filled with the sadness that the event is about to be over and the bonds created between teammates and the community, known affectionately on the ride as the love bubble, are about to burst. I was surprised at the end by my partner Chris with our dog Parker, and a few friends who showed up which was so lovely.
Closing Thoughts and Next Year
I am so thankful to all of you who made supporting this cause and organization happen. On a personal level, my heart is filled with the support of my donors, the event itself, and the amazing team of gals that I got to ride with and get to know more. Thank you so much for your support and I hope you will support me next year as I do it again in 2023