AIDS Lifecycle: A Life-changing Experience

As I sit at my desk in my Tonic office, it doesn't seem possible that just a week ago today I was nearing the end of a 70-mile ride on Day 3 of AIDS Lifecycle. This was the day that I found my stride on the bike and felt at one with the pavement -- albeit with sore quads and a tender butt!

By now, I've had a chance to re-thank my donors, complete seven loads of laundry and sleep in my own bed. The dogs were most overjoyed at our arrival as they always whether we leave for five minutes to take out the garbage or for seven days riding 545 miles to Los Angeles to raise money and awareness to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

I met some incredible folks who really care about solving this epidemic. I learned much about my physical and mental abilities. I had moments where I was utterly exhausted and couldn't bike one more minute (but had to, so I kept going). I had many more moments when tears filled my eyes, whether it be from hearing others' reasons for riding or listening to accounts of losing close friends to AIDS when the disease first hit the gay community in the 1980s.  Whatever drove me to finish the ride, I finished it in Los Angeles a different person than when I first mounted my bike in San Francisco a week earlier.

Of course, it helped to have 1,000 people cheering us on at the finish line. I had always seen athletes hailed in large stadiums, but never having been an athlete myself, it was a first for me! Now I know why athletes cry when they receive a gold medal. I can't imagine feeling any more proud of myself and my team -- my fellow cyclists who helped push me up hills (literally) and kept me inspired to get to the finish.

A 70-year-old man (it was his fifth ride) reassured me that if he could do it, so could I.

I plan to ride again next year in ALC9. If you'd like to join me, go here. To wrap up my series on my AIDS Lifecycle experience, I'd like to share the video of the week shown at the closing ceremonies. I hope you feel at least a trace of the emotion and excitement I had all week.

See you next year?

And, you can find my entire series on ALC8 here:

Riding my Butt Off For a Cause

AIDS/Lifecycle Day 1: I can’t believe I’m doing this!

AIDS Lifecycle: Halfway to L.A.

AIDS Lifecycle: Why Do We Do This?

Top Photo: "Chicken Lady," who has participated in just about every single AIDS Lifecycle, crossing the finish line in Los Angeles; Bottom Photo: The author at closing ceremonies in Los Angeles. (Photos by Dan Estabrook).