Your Hero

Oh yes! The count down begins! Only 24 days left until I start pedaling down the state of California! With that in mind... I give you my 24 thoughts proceeding ALC6.

1. AHHHHHHHHH!!! (Whew, that felt good.)

2. Need to make flight arrangements and secure a place to crash in SF. :o) Dan? Jess? Alex? Anyone?

3. I would love to find a way to hook my camera onto my bike and take a video of me going down hill at 40 miles an hour. Would my face really be pulled back like a puppy with its head out the window?

4. Do cycling socks NEED to match the whole outfit?

5. I'm already not looking forward to the football bread lunches, but my mouth is watering over dinners and dessert!

6. Note to self... at Orientation, make friends with a nice roadie. Megan can't set up our tent from Australia!

7. Must try on my red dress with bikie tighties and sit on my bike and make sure the ruffles won't get caught in my spokes.

8. Detox until after the ride... no wine, beer, or soda... ouch.

9. I should get another 300 miles in on my bike including some HILLS.

10. Maybe I really SHOULD get my nose pierced... that's a great look on me.

11. Heidi and I need to create a new ALC song this year, just in case certain staff members try to sign us up for the talent show again. Perhaps to the tune of “Under The Sea”?

12. Eat before you’re hungry and drink before you’re thirsty.

13.

14. Remind Heidi to bring a bag with WHEELS.

15. I need to remember that I don’t need to be a ferret during the ride and save and hide food in my pockets. The Ride will feed us and it might attract bears into our tent… and when I say bears, I really mean big, scary animals… and when I say big, scary animals, I really mean bums in Santa Cruz.

16. “Sunscreen’s for sissys!”

17. Pajamas vs. no pajamas... more room for extra stuff in my bag, but a less happy tentmate.

18. Two words… Ear plugs.

19. Remind myself of those that donated while I climb the big hills and I'm cussing and raising my fist. They believe in me, so I should too!

20. Buy a head light so at night I can see in the pitch black porta-potty and still have use of both hands.

21. Bring some money so I can purchase that SWEET jersey that Dinh and I designed. It’s going to be awesome seeing it on the road!

22. Is a photo gallery of road kill we see on the ride funny or just gross?

23. Remember to bring extra batteries for my camera so I can share my experience with all of you!

24. Remind all of you out there that NOW is the time to donate. It's getting to be crunch time and I am SOOOO close to my goal.

"Each one of us can make a difference. Together we make change." - Barbara Mikulski

Please make a contribution to support my efforts. Your contribution is fully tax-deductible and will make a real difference in the lives of many affected by HIV and AIDS.

Until next time... Keep Rollin'!

- Tricia

www.aidslifecycle.org/1708

Heeeeeeeello! Yes I am still alive and kicking! I think it has been almost 3 months since my last ALC update... wow, where does the time go?

I have been keeping super busy, and I am super excited to announce... I'm an official Training Ride Leader! Haha... streets of Long Beach beware!

http://leaders.aidslifecycle.org/1…

Basically the TRLs lead organized rides throughout the week all over the state. The rides are of varying distances and terrains, and are led by experienced volunteers... aka ME!

I have spent the past few months shadowing veteran TRLs and learning more each time. I can give a safety speech with an added Tricia touch, explain to newbies why you shouldn't wear underwear under your bikie tighties, and help someone that hasn't been on a bike in 14 years feel comfortable. Speaking of... when was the last time YOU were on a bike? :o)

My first training ride is this Saturday! I am SUPER DUPER EXTRA excited. Everyone is welcome and you do not need to be registered for the ride in June... you know... the one that I'm fundraising for... hint, hint. Just bring your helmet, some water, 80 cents for the ferry, and a great attitude!

Even if you can't make it out to ride with me this weekend, please make a contribution to support my efforts. Your contribution is fully tax-deductible and will make a real difference in the lives of many affected by HIV and AIDS.

Keep rollin'! *HUGS* Tricia

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What an amazing experience! I can not put into words what the week on the road was like or meant to me. I think that's why I have waited this long to give everyone a post ride update. I'm sure some of you want to hear a day by day play by and others of you just want to hear that I made it home safe and sound. So I will compromise!
I made it home safe and sound.

And instead of a play by... here is a link to all the photos! Ok... so I haven't posted them yet... but check back on Friday!

http://www.haebc.com/tricia/galler…

But I will share with you a few accomplishments, and a few challenges, and a few quirky stories.

I embarked on this amazing journey and SURVIVED! That's my first and biggest accomplishment. It wasn't every mile of road or every hill that counted; it was my determination and dedication that made the experience worth every second. Heidi and I both knew that we should have trained more... but we had some nice cross training along the route (aka walking our bikes up never ending hills). On Day 1, someone told us that by the end of the week we would be riding up the hills. You know what? We were! Another rider told me, "You have as much energy as you think you have." Those words carried me up the Evil Twins on Day 4. I debuted the bikie tighties finally, another defying accomplishment!

All the riders and roadies (and staff) were incredible. We came together as a community and each morning we greeted each other with smiles and hellos. It's really hard for me to explain the feeling in camp and on the road. For one week, our differences didn't matter and it was our similarities that connected us. They mentioned that we might have some post partum depression. I think I'm just sad that I had to leave all the cooked meals! I have never eaten so much in one week in my life!

If you are still in the mood to continue reading, I found a great article on the event that I included at the end of this update.

So this won't get too lengthy, I'll end it with a short dialog on the road between Heidi and myself.

"Tricia, you have something between your teeth..."

(I start to look)

Heidi: "I think it's a bug! I told you not to bike with your mouth open!"

For all those of you who might be wondering... yes! I'm going to do this again! I'm wasn't sure if next year I wanted to be a rider or volunteer as a roadie... but they say that this experience changes your life so I plan on hitting the pavement and riding once again so I can to stay involved until I can help change other people's lives too.

_______________________________________

AIDS/LifeCycle Rolls Victoriously into Los Angeles, Raising $8 Million for HIV/AIDS Services

(Los Angeles, CA) - After a week experiencing the physical and emotional challenges of a 585-mile journey from San Francisco to Los Angeles, more than 2,200 participants in AIDS/LifeCycle (ALC) rolled to a victorious finish in West Los Angeles on Saturday, having raised over $8 million from 70,000 donors. Money raised from the event will support HIV services provided by the event's co-producers, the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation.

"In this 25th year of the fight against AIDS, 2,200 participants took a week out of their lives to remind the world that AIDS deserves all our attention," said Mark Cloutier, executive director of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. "There are 150,000 Californians living with HIV and an expected 2,000 new infections this year. This money will fund services for those with HIV and support us in new innovative approaches to reduce HIV infections."

AIDS/LifeCycle 5 set a new record for participation and money raised, attracting cyclists from nine countries and 40 states, including a contingent of people living with HIV known as the Positive Pedalers. No other event raises as much money for HIV/AIDS services.

Lorri L. Jean, chief executive officer of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, told the crowd at the closing ceremony that this year's ride held special meaning for riders and supporters.

"The second day of the ride marked 25 years since the beginning of the AIDS epidemic," Jean said. "And still the epidemic rages on. Here in the presence of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, we are reminded of those we have loved and lost to AIDS. Every one of the 585 miles we traveled this week is not only a reminder that we are all living with AIDS, but also a rededication to the belief that there is no greater power than people collectively committed to making a difference in the world."

Over the course of the week-long event, the 1,800 riders - sometimes outnumbering the populations of the communities they rode through - were greeted by local residents of eight counties. This year, local AIDS services organizations provided education, testing and outreach as ALC moved through different communities. Supported by the California Office of AIDS, the efforts highlighted HIV/AIDS awareness in those communities and emphasized prevention and the importance of early testing and treatment.

It is estimated that 150,000 Californians are living with HIV/AIDS, many of whom are unaware of their infection.

All my bags are packed and I'm ready to go...

Ok, good thing this is a post and you don't really get to hear me sing! :o) I'm not that bad, but you can hear the nerves in my voice. I'm filled with anxiousness and excitement... and still a little fear of those hills! Thank you for all your support and kind wishes! I will be safe, I might debut the bikie tighties, I will have fun, and mostly I will think of all of you!

I won't be able to have email access... but they set up a webpage to keep everyone up to date on our adventure! You can even leave me messages on there that I can check when I get back into camp each night. Write me! I love notes! Not all at the same time though... if your name starts with an A-F write on Sund... I'm just kidding! But I would really love to hear from everyone. Here is the information:

See AIDS/LifeCycle through my eyes with "Experience AIDS/LifeCycle 2006" at http://experience.aidslifecycle.or…

Starting Monday June 5, the AIDS/LifeCycle web team will post:

1. A written travelogue from the road, summarizing the previous day's highlights
2. Daily audio podcasts -- for a preview, visit http://experience.aidslifecycle.or…
3. A variety of event photos (starring ME?!)
4. Online blogs written by five participants as they experience life on the road and in camp

Throughout the event, messages of support can be retrieved in camp by individual participants or read by the entire community of cyclists and roadies. Messages can be sent from http://experience.aidslifecycle.or…

If you have FANS who would like to be a part of AIDS/LifeCycle Opening Ceremonies in San Francisco or Closing Ceremonies in Los Angeles, the details can be found at http://www.aidslifecycle.org/cerem….

If you have time in LA... I would love to see you! Call my cell phone, it should be on! Thanks again! And... I'm rollin'!

*HUGS* Tricia

AHHHH!!!! The count down to day Zero is upon us! My first email went out at the end of October... and now I'm close to the end. Well, I take that back. I think this will be just the beginning. I've heard that the ride can really change your life. Who would have thought trying to help others can change your own life? Already I think I have changed a little bit. I feel the love and support from so many people throughout my life. Old friends to new friends, co-workers, family, and even a caring stranger or two have gave me the confidence that I can conquer this adventure and anything else that I put my mind to do.

I'm super excited because I'm just $230 short of my fundraising goal! Remember, if you donated to me in 2005, you can donate again for taxes in 2006! :o) Well, I'm sure you can donate twice in 2006 too, just ask my mom!

I'm making a sponsor shirt too... not exactly sure how yet so I'm sure it will be interesting. I want to be on my ride and be able to look down and read a name and say to myself... this mile's for you! Haha... ok... the next 10 miles! I'll try to update everyone on during the ride if I can and maybe one more time before I leave. I'll definitely have up a photo gallery of my time on the road. Until then... keep rolling!

PS... only $230 to go!

PPS... 8... 7... 6... ahhhh... 5... 4...

www.aidslifecycle.org/6053

You guessed it! I got special pedals installed on my bike. With these new pedals, come new shoes, 30% more efficiency and a lot more concentration needed! Every cyclist that I have talked to says that you fall at least once when you start using clipless pedals. Basically you are attached to your bike and have to kick your heal out to unlatch and put your feet on the ground. Sounds simple right? I thought so the first time we went out. Heidi and I both did wonderfully! Now, yesterday was a different story! Heidi did an acrobat routine over her bike and back up on her feet. She knew she was going down when she couldn’t get her foot out, so she decided to fall with style. Watching Heidi made me a little nervous, but I had faith in my skills. Yah… until I was at a stoplight, completely stopped with one foot on the ground and one foot clipped in. Somehow when I was trying to turn my bike around, I ended up on the ground. Skills, yah, my skills were lacking as I lied there and still with one foot clipped in and unable to unclip and get out to stand up. My faithful friend came to my rescue and I was back on my feet in no time. Falling wasn’t as bad as imagined. No bruising or scrapes, but heaven forbid, I did break a nail!

21 days until we hit the road! No clue where time has gone. Thank you for all your support. :o) You rock! I’m still $500 short. Can’t wait until I hit my goal (hint hint). 65 mile ride on Saturday and facing some hills. I’m excited more and more each day!

Keep rolling!

www.aidslifecycle.org/6053

Who’s longing out there for another update? Wait no longer because here it is! (BTW for those of you just joining us because I keep adding email addresses to my list, you can read all the previous updates here & WELCOME!)

Last I left you I shared how I planned on riding in that really long training ride that gives the riders a chance to experience what a typical day in June will look and feel like. Well we did it and we survived! The ride took us through all the LA beaches; Santa Monica, Venice, Manhattan, and some other ones I wasn’t paying much attention to. The other riders were super nice. We rode over ten miles with Beth, a 48 year old cyclist that has been doing the ALC Ride since the very beginning. As we rode along, she told us stories and answered questions. It’s amazing to listen to the passion everyone has for this incredible ride.

Reading back on my first update I’m amazed of how far I have come in my training. Don’t get me wrong, we still have our recruiter Pam greeting us with smiles and claiming us as her Long Beach kids and I still haven’t gone out fully in my bikie tighties, but the each time I ride the miles just fly by faster.

Thanks again to everyone for their support and encouragement. Together Heidi and I have had over $200 donated to us by complete strangers. I still have some promises out there for pledges, but even ff every person I send this out donates just $10 I will surpass my goal. Please consider making a contribution!

Oh, and be nice to cyclists when you are driving in your car!