In the end the love you take is equal to the love you make

[Steven_Draker]

Greetings from AIDS Life Cycle 9 and Paso Robles, California. It's difficult to believe that Day 3 is now over. We rode over 250 miles up-to-date from S.F. on our way down to L.A. Muscles are sore however spirits and everything else is up !

 

Follow the daily reports, look at the pictures and videos from the Ride HERE

 

The weather this year has been particularly tricky with some serious fog leaving San Francisco, some heavy side winds on our longest day (107 miles), then a bit of a tropical heat (watch out the sunburn, baby)

 

http://www.aidslifecycle.org/experience/photos/official-photos/day-one/medium/20100606-ALC-Rood0655.jpg

 

(the single most impressive picture when leaving San Francisco on Day 1 in the fog)

[Guest]

$50 to your goal at this point! Congrats! I have no doubt but that you'll be over the top in no time...

[+ purplekow]

that is a beautiful photo Good luck with the rest of the ride.

[JackTwist]

Enjoy the Ride and View.

 

Steven,

Stay safe and have fun out there. Thanks for all you are doing for this important cause. It is great to read your updates along the way down here to L.A. Take care, bud.

[Steven_Draker]

"It hurts so much, but it felt so good ..."

 

Thank you all for the nice words, warm thoughts, encouragements and also to all who contributed with donations in this year's event. The AIDS LifeCycle 9 is now over. I had a great time participating for a third year in a row ... (jamais deux sans trois) as the French say.

 

This year I rode every mile and every inch of the route from San Francisco to Los Angeles (some 545 miles or in metric system over 900 km). Last year due to a heavy rain and a serious accident on 101, the leg 6 of the Ride was cancelled. For all those who might think that the Ride is an easy one, I invite to enroll for the next year event, go that extra mile (pun intended) and check for themselves. I had a few hard moments - on Day 2 (our longest Ride - a bit over a Century) with some side winds and muscle/butt aches, another when crossing the border between Northern and Southern California and on Day 5 (Red Dress Day) with some strong headwinds which added some extra difficulty to the Ride in the last 25%. I had the impression to fight with an evil demon when climbing a very steep hill and had this strong headwind blowing into my face and trying to push me off my bike. I asked myself if I would be able to continue that day. Then I thought about the people who have to fight every day with this terrible virus and I doubled my effort and continued to the end.

 

A very special moment was the Candlelight Vigil night in Ventura on Day 6 when in the silence we all walked to the beach and in a huge circle, holding candles remembering all those who we lost in the fight with AIDS.

 

Finally, Day 7 arrives and everyone is excited and anxious to get to Los Angeles and cross the finish line. The last 60 miles ... Arriving at the VA Center was a moment of relief and excitement difficult to describe with a huge crowd greeting the cyclists. For 7 days we were working hard: burning calories and working hard those muscles, raising awareness and money, fighting the stigma, helping people who live with the virus to get a better life and better treatment. I'm glad to be part of the ALC community and to have contributed in a small and modest way to this worthwhile cause in which I truly believe. The statistics say that a gay male who lives in San Francisco has 85% chances to contract HIV during his adult live. This number is way too high and there's much to be done in this field.

 

As a final note: a special mention and thanks to the Rider who flew 21 hours from Australia to take part in this year's event, the Rider from England who wasn't afraid from biking thru those steep California hills for a first time, the girl from Sweden who had to wake up every day at 3 am to partake in her roadie's duty and last but not least the crew from China who was making a movie about the Ride. Hopefully we'll see soon a similar Ride in China. It's great that AIDS Life cycle has such an important impact not only in California and the US, but all over the world. So, probably we'll see some of the Riders soon in China ... who knows?

 

Yesterday, my fortune cookie said "Do one good deed today and make this world a better place, you'll feel better". I guess this must be true.

[Steven_Draker]

Candlelight Vigil / Day 6, Ventura, CA

 

http://www.aidslifecycle.org/experience/photos/official-photos/day-six/medium/20100611-ALC-Rood1912.jpg

[doitb4ugo]

Thanks Steven

 

Thank you so much for your posts here on the ride...It was very enjoyable to login and see this event through the eyes of someone working his ass ( a very nice ass) off for this great cause.

[Diverdan]

Thanks Steven

 

Thanks for the updates, the pictures and your contributions to the ALC. While your muscles may be sore, I know that you have had a great experience and congratulations on your third ride. It is an inspiration to all of us who are unable to do this.

[seaboy4hire]

Steven as some one who is positive (nine yrs last week) I want to thank both you and David for doing the ride. And I want to thank those who donated as well. The last couple yrs has not been good money wise for many but charities have also been hard hit and charities have been doing the best with what they have. Steven, David and others don't let the donations and volunteer work stop with the bike ride. Even if you can donate $20 a month it's something and something is better then nothing. Every month out of my day jobs pay check and from every appt. I have a portion of each that goes to Life Long, Seattle's Aids and hiv charity. They offer up everything from a meals on wheels type system to help with housing. So again thank you Steven and David and those who helped out along the way.

 

Hugs,

Greg

[Guest greatness]

oh my

 

Greg.. You are such a sweet heart~~~ I found a nice book for you to read.. Please send me your address.. I won't stalk you.. Kisses and hugs~~~

 

Steven as some one who is positive (nine yrs last week) I want to thank both you and David for doing the ride. And I want to thank those who donated as well. The last couple yrs has not been good money wise for many but charities have also been hard hit and charities have been doing the best with what they have. Steven, David and others don't let the donations and volunteer work stop with the bike ride. Even if you can donate $20 a month it's something and something is better then nothing. Every month out of my day jobs pay check and from every appt. I have a portion of each that goes to Life Long, Seattle's Aids and hiv charity. They offer up everything from a meals on wheels type system to help with housing. So again thank you Steven and David and those who helped out along the way.

 

Hugs,

Greg

[Guest greatness]

Steve~~

 

Thank you for doing this.. You are a truly wonderful person~~~ I also thank David and AdrewD and others who participated in this great cause. Love you all. Kisses and hugs~~~

[Steven_Draker]

Thanks, Greg for the nice post. You're spot on - the AIDS Life Cycle 9 is over however the fight against AIDS and HIV continues ... every day and all year long.

Keep donating for your local organizations, AIDS programs and charities.

[Steven_Draker]

video break

 

Gurls are having fun on the Ride ...

 

Watch this video: