It’s been almost 2 months (to the day) that I departed Cow
Palace in San Francisco…and what a wickedly crazy two months it has been. I jumped right into the summer semester of school, completed my community service for my grad program, dealt with some personal family health issues, and enjoyed some R & R. I’ve had several urges to sit and write a
blog update to describe and round out my personal experience with ALC, however,
there was part of me that wanted to (selfishly) take time and reflect what it
was I experienced and recognize how it changed me … and it did change me. $16.3 million dollars raised for HIV/AIDS
services in San Francisco and LA! $16
million. I was apart of that. WE
were apart of that. It’s somewhat hard
to put these emotions into words, particularly (for me) without shedding a
tear.
While the days of the ride blend together, I have vivid
memories of certain parts where I felt truly tested – physically, mentally and
emotionally.
Day 1 was bittersweet.
Riding out of San Francisco into an unknown terrain with your adrenaline
pumping was an awesome feeling, however recognizing you have 545 miles ahead of
you was somewhat of a buzz-kill. “What
did I get myself into?” popped into my head several times this day,
particularly around mile 60 – where my upper back and neck felt like they were
going to fall off onto the side of the road.
My body was definitely screaming at me, retaliating - not knowing what I
had set out to do. That first night at
camp I set up my tent, showered, ate dinner, and B-lined it to the Chiropractic
Tent for an alignment. I never knew a
neck crack could sound so loud and feel so good.
Day 2: This was the
109 miler. My VERY FIRST
CENTURY!!!! And one of my more favorite
days, as well. Flat terrain. Tailwinds.
Sunny and blue skies. And knowing
I was staying in a hotel that night made those 109 miles worth every pedal
stroke. Along the ride, those who stayed
in hotels were known as “Princessing” for the night. I was never so happy to be
so dirty and tired…and be known to “princess” anything.
Day 3: Quadbuster and
the Town of Bradley. Now, I’ll admit, I
made it halfway up Quadbuster before I got off my bike and walked the other
half. Hey – I’m from Chicago…the only
hills we have here are ramps into a parking lot. And – as I was walking, there were riders
that already made it to the top of the hill, turned around to go back down to
do the Quadbuster all over again. I
heard some guy did it 4 times! They’re
nuts. Before reaching the top, I got
back on my bike, threw it into the lowest gear possible, and trucked it
through. I was humbled when the CEO of
the SF AIDS Foundation (Neil) got behind me to push me up to the hillcrest. (Thanks Neil!) But the downhill ride made it worth it.
The Town of Bradley is where lunch was stationed this
day. Population 120. The town shuts down (school and businesses)
this day every year to cook burgers and raise money for their school programs,
which receive little-to-no state funding.
Last year, ALC raised around $16k.
This year, we raised over $40,000!!!! Amazing!
This was an added bonus. Everyone
in Bradley made us feel warm and welcomed.
I’m sure I can speak for many when I say the honor was ours to be apart
of their cause.
Day 4: You’re
“Halfway to LA!” A 91 mile day, but it
didn’t feel like one. Before officially
making it “halfway,” one must climb NOT one, but two steep hills – nicknamed
the Evil Twins. It should be noted that
I did not walk either of
these hills and rode them both. At the
top of the second hill, we officially declare our halfway point. As always, going downhill was my favorite
part. After this, we make our way back
West toward the Pacific. At this point
of the ride, I felt like the hard part had to be over….
Day 5: Red Dress Day
and a personal mild set back.
Traditionally, AIDS Lifecycle holds a special day where all riders dress
head to toe in the color red to raise awareness about the cause and symbolically
create a giant red-ribbon through the hills and winding roads. A fun day, to say the least.
It’s a short day – in fact, the shortest of
the ride. A mere 42 mile day. Easy, right?
Well…at about mile 7, I was riding downhill and shifted to a higher gear
to gain more momentum – when all of the sudden, it felt like my chain came
off. Well, about a half-a-second later,
my back wheel rolled in front of me.
Panicking, I couldn’t clip out of my pedals in time to catch my balance
and completely wiped out. For weeks, I
had a bruise that went from my rib-cage to my knee on the right side of my
body. I had to sag out this day. Bike techs at the following rest-stop did not
have the parts needed to fix my chain-derailer so I was bussed to camp, where I
handed over my bike to the Cannondale folk and was told they’d call me that
evening to let me know if/when my bike was fixed. I was planning to camp this night, but
screwed that idea and quickly booked a hotel room in the town of Lompoc. Needless to say, I rested the majority of the
day and did not receive a phone call about my bike. There was a slight depression that fell over
me, not knowing if I’d be able to ride.
It was strange…the want to get back on my bike and finish. Physically, my body had enough. Mentally, I wanted to complete this
challenge. Emotionally, well…my emotions
agreed with my mental state.
(Notice the IL plates. Illinois REPRESENT!)
Day 6: 5am wake
up. “Will my bike be ready at
camp?” Sure enough, it was!!!
I was just happy to ride the 88 miles ahead of me that
day! Crazy, I know. But I came this far. I wanted to complete this journey. A beautiful and scenic ride through Santa
Barbara and into Ventura. It was the 2nd
to last day. At the first rest stop, I
called my childhood friend (and old LA roommate) Lucy – who lives in Woodland
Hills (deep in the valley of Los Angeles.
An inside joke because she knows how much I loathe the valley). Anyway, I asked Lucy if she wanted to meet me
that evening in Ventura for dinner…and join me in attending the candlelight
vigil on San Buenaventura State Beach.
She graciously accepted the offer and braved the drive up WHILE 9 MONTHS
PREGNANT!!! When I saw her, I was
completely shocked she even agreed to make the trek in her condition. She’s supported me in everything I’ve ever
done throughout my life – it didn’t surprise me she would drive all that way,
even knowing she could go into labor at any minute. We dined at the Marriott (where I
“Princnessed” for the last night of the ride…) toured the camp, watched the
evening announcements, and made our way to the beach. Lucy was a trooper, holding back contractions
(no joke) and all.
Day 7: Ventura to Los
Angeles. Our last day! Now, months ago, I received an email from an
old LA friend (Drew) who asked me if he could ride with me into LA on the last
day. At first I thought, “how awesome to
offer – but he’s crazy if he wants to
do this.” Sure enough, 6am. Drew is in the lobby of the Marriott. Took the train up from LA (with his bike)
the previous evening, “princessed” at a local hotel, and proved me right. He is crazy!
J I met Drew years ago when I lived in LA
through my very good friend, Ashley. Ashley
and I were somewhat inseparable for a good amount of my time in LA. Drew and Ash went to college together in PA
and both moved out to LA. My friendship
with Drew was always peripheral with Ashley….and while I lived in LA, we only
saw each other when Ashley brought us together.
Don’t get me wrong – we’ve ALWAYS enjoyed our times together (from what
we can remember) but our lives were very perpendicular: Drew lived on the Westside and worked in
engineering; I lived in West Hollywood
and worked in the film/TV industry. Oh
– and Drew is straight. Not that it
makes any difference for a friendship…but we were just on two different paths
in LA. After going through the last 62
miles with him, what I can say about Drew now (and can probably say about our
entire friendship) is how loyal, humble, and amazing he is. I truly mean that. He and I had a chance to bond on those 62
miles (particularly over that pitcher of beer at Gladstone’s in Malibu just
before riding in). That experience with
him – the shear meaning behind him wanting to ride with me that last day –
helped me connect and get to know Drew with my heart…and that means more to me
than any friendship I ever make in life.
Thank you, Drew. Words can’t
express how your support that last day meant to me.
Excitement.
Anxious. Adrenaline – this is
what I felt riding into LA. First stop
in Santa Monica was to see these little nuggets! These are Ashley’s twins (Avery and Taylor)
and the gorgeous Lexi. Ashley happened
to be in Italy during the ride, but her Mom happened to be in LA watching the
kiddos and Ashley sent them out to their corner (on San Vicente Blvd) with
signs to cheer me into the finish line.
I adore this family so much!
Finish Line: It was
hard to miss my family as I rounded the corner of the finish line. My twin bro: Terry. My Sister: Molly. My cousin:
Gerry. My mother: Karen. My Rock: Lucy (again). My DEAR Friend: Ann Murphy. My
two LA besties: Tony Crago and Jason
Cobb. My NYC Bestie: Jared Cohen.
The good thing is, we caught it all on camera. J I was so grateful to have them there…familiar
faces - cheering me on with love and support for riding the previous 545
miles. They are my constant
cheerleaders, though. They’ve been
cheering me on throughout my entire 7 year journey, some not even knowing it. Again:
words cannot describe what that means to me and I don’t know that I’ll
ever be able to form those words of thanks.
Something deep inside of me knows that they know how much I love and
appreciate them.
Today is the 7th Anniversary of my Dad leaving us. I took him with me on this journey, as well. He's been with me through it all.
Today is the 7th Anniversary of my Dad leaving us. I took him with me on this journey, as well. He's been with me through it all.
Well. That’s it. Enjoy my sweet bikers/farmers tan below. Don't be jealous.
Well….I could tell you how after this, my family and I went
to a restaurant in Santa Monica where I randomly ran into 3 people I knew from
when I lived in LA. Or…how we ALL went
out to AGO and I nearly face-planted into my food…Or how AFTER dinner, we all
went out to West Hollywood and Molly stuffed dollar bills down a go-go boy’s
speedo and got his privates bounced on her head (there’s even pictures…)……
but, I’ll save that for another time.
There are many things I didn’t bring up throughout this post….
The Chicken Lady
Random rider stories about how HIV/AIDS has affected them
The Poz Peddlers group
The Roadies / Volunteers
what I've learned / how much more there is to learn
…California.
….so so so so so so so so so much more.
Would I do this again?
FUCK YES! Maybe you
should too.
xo
Below is the official 2015 ALC Lifecycle Video....a great summary of what this ride is and means to so many.
Below is the official 2015 ALC Lifecycle Video....a great summary of what this ride is and means to so many.
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