ALC 11: Interview with Jon Walker

Here's my one minute with Jon Walker, my good friend and tent-mate on the AIDS Lifecycle 11. Jon's talking about being properly geared for the weather conditions! I think this video was taken in the morning on Day 3. Day 3 was clear and sunny -- a welcome change from the rain the day before -- but was cool in the morning.

Thanks Jon, it was wonderful camping with you!

Video Interview: Neil Giuliano

Here's my interview with Neil Giuliano, CEO of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation about what inspires him about the riders on the AIDS Lifecycle. (Sorry about the audio quality, remember, I'm a beginner!)

And once again, many thanks to the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, the Los Angeles County Gay and Lesbian Center, and the ALC. Words cannot describe how wonderful the ride was.

Video Interviews From the Ride

Over the next few days I'll post the six video interviews I did on the ride. The interview below is one I posted already: Alic Shook from San Francisco. I asked Alic why he was riding on the AIDS Lifecycle 11. Alic and I met on training rides and he's an inspirational person for me. He's and incredibly strong rider and always seems to be smiling.

Hopefully this is a higher quality video. Sorry if the sound is off...I'll have to work on that for next year. I took these videos with my phone after all! All the responses are well worth parsing out the background noise for.

I took these little videos to inspire my boyfriend to do the ride with me next year. I hope they inspire you to do so, too. If you do, please let me know! I'll interview you and get you up on my blog...and maybe I can "be the reason" for you!

Big hugs,
Bear

Day 6

83 miles today. It's clear, warm, and no wind at the top of the first hill. Finally warming up. Waiting for my friends at the first rest stop. Still excited, but looking forward to a real shower and bed!

My muscles and joints seem to be holding out. And lack of sleep's not really been a hindrance either.

I've definitely noticed a tendency to cry when I hear people's ride or life stories. So much inspiration and courage in one place. I took a bunch of videos, and will post them when I get back. I think the quality of upload from the phone sucks.

Can't say I want this to be over. Can't say I'm sad I'll get back to normal in 2 days!

Sent from my iPhone.

Day 5 -- Red Dress Day

Imagine riding your bike in a dress!

Sent from my iPhone.

Riding in the Sun

It's bright and sunny. Day 4 we made it to the halfway point. Sunscreen is a major topic of conversation. Everyone looks sun dazed but happy. I wish I could be here forever.

Stopped in Pismo Beach for a cinnamon roll. I relented and had half. Thanks, Jon!

Two Nice Men Waiting for Cinamon rolls on Day 4

Keith and Mike.

Day 4, Half Way to LA

Hoping for a better pic, but for now!

Don't Cheap Out on Camping Equipment

Cheap camp towels suck and get smelly fast. Cheap camp pads (which I thankfully replaced) are not comfy. But actually cheap sleeping bags aren't so bad...if you have two. But get the $20 towels!

Day 3 Pics

I'll try to post videos when I get back.

Day 3 Video

My friend Alic and why he rides the AIDS LifeCycle.

Rest Stop 2 Day 3

Demitrius and Jon

Rest Stop 2 Day 3

Our new friend Tim and his fondest admirer.

Day 3

Bright clear and cold. Still glowing that we finished yesterday. Didn't sleep that good but ready to ride. Gonna get out at 6:30.

Day 2 From Hell

First, the good news I completed all 109 miles with no mishaps (though Jon almost ran me over). Only about 400 riders finished today. That's the bad news. Though it wasn't that cold (low 60s all day) the winds were a good 30 mph. Red Cross had to sag in hundreds of riders. Many people had hypothermia. Will get the details tonight after dinner.

Shortly after we had lunch in San Geronimo we left because it was too cold to hang around. If we hadn't, we wouldn't have been able to complete the day.

This was my most challenging ride ever. Some kick ass tail winds though. I had an average time of 16 mph. But the head- and cross- winds were killer.

And the rain! Not in sheets or anything, but just sporadic enough to really drench you.

Just learned that most of my team made it back too!

All in all a great day!

Sent from my iPhone.

Day 2 Start

It's 4:00 am. Couldn't sleep 109 miles today. I think I can handle it. Brushing my teeth. Breakfast at 5. Ride out is 6:15 today.

Dinner Video

Camp video 2

Camp video

Look at all the luggage!

And 1/3 of camp has already picked up.

John's Horse

Lunch Day 1

Turkey on croissant, pasta salad, chips, cookie, and a nectarine. Never has food tasted so good. I hear it's gonna get old though.

Kevin at Rest Stop 2

Loading the Arena

Everyone filing in for opening ceremonies.

Some Friends from Sacramento

Not awake...5:00 am, Really?

It's 4:10 am and I can't figure out why we need to meet up at 5. Why not 9? Anyway, I slept and am ready to ride!

Thanks to all my donors. I raised about $5,500 by ride day!!

Sent from my iPhone.

Me and My Platinum Sponsor

At Bike Parking

From Instagram

(see full image)

Sent from my iPhone.

Registration Line

Waiting in Registration Line

Jon, Kevin, and Scott.

Crying During Safety Video

Scott says I'll be crying all week. Gah!!

Standing in Line for Check in

The Culprit

Erin Fixing my Cable

Thank God for Erin.

Major Surgery

Getting a new shift cable installed.

On the way to Orientation

Jon got an orange Mohawk. I'm so jealous!

Ready to Go...More or Less

I'm packed. Have my gear, helmet, shoes, gloves, water bottles, everything. I cleaned my chain thoroughly, reinstalled it, lubed it, and tested in for about 200 miles. I'm good to go, right? Of course, the gremlins come out at night.

This morning, I had a few minutes to kill after I woke up, and decided to clean and lube my chain. I clean it. I lube it -- with the heavier oil since it might rain, and then try to run through the gears. What happens? I can't shift into the high gears!! GAH. The rear derailleur won't budge from the middle cog.

Videos make derailleur adjustment seem doable, but without a work stand, the process would take me a few hours! Who's freaking out? Me?

Anyway, all the local bike shops don't open until 10:00 a.m., so I can't get someone to look at it right now, and my ride is due in 15 minutes anyway. Not sweating...there are bike techs at the rest stops, right?

Still, it would be nice to have my high gears for tomorrow morning!! As it turns out, there will be a bike technician (sponsored by Cannondale) at the Orientation day.

Here's a map of the orientation day set up.

Now I just want to leave and hope that the line for the technician is not too long so that there's time after orientation to get to Mr. S Leather for some last minute shopping.

Orientation Day

Just waking up. Not ready to go. Bed is so comfy... Zzzzzzzz

Sent from my iPhone.