How my experience began with ALC (Aids/Lifecycle)http://www.aidslifecycle.org/1603Well, it all began on a beautiful summer day in June of 2005 on the Central Coast of California, Pismo Beach to be exact. I was riding my motorcycle home from the beach and noticed hundreds of riders on Pacific Coast Highway 1 (PCH). I have heard of the AIDS/LIFECYCLE ride coming through our small town each summer. As I was riding home I noticed and gentleman on a motorcycle that was following the riders with his light flashing and a sign that read Caution Bicyclist Ahead. I was interested by the Motosafety Crew, so I followed the riders down the road on their way to the Pismo Beach rest stop. When I got there the gentleman from the Motosafety crew was setting there, so I asked about joining the Motosafety. I received the information from the most helpful Motosafety crew gentleman. I took the phone number and name of “BUZZ†with open hands and off I went. About a week later I called the number and was put on the list for ALC5 Motosafety crew which took place in June of 2006.
As the ride began on that morning in June, I really didn't know what to expect. I was given a task about 20 miles from the start at a street light in west Daly City to control traffic at that light. That was the first true experience of the ALC5 AIDS/LIFECYCLE ride was when I watched over 2000 riders pass by me on the road to Los Angeles. All and all the whole week of the ALC5 ride is a never ending memory for myself. Meeting new friends and hearing their story of the previous ALC rides and their experience of the event and of their experiences with HIV/AIDS. So I decided after my 7 day journey through California's back roads to sign-up for the ALC6 ride at the closing ceremonies.On my 3.5 hour motorcycle ride home from LA back to the Central Coast the past weeks events were going through my mind how much fun it was and how many new friend that I made and how much of a difference we made in somebody life with HIV/AIDS. It was like being with one big happy family on a summer vacation, but it wasn't for some. In that time it took me to get home it came to mind that I too have lost friends and that I still have friend with us today that are positive from HIV/AIDS. They themselves are using the services that are provided by the centers in LA and SF with the moneys that are donated by the people like you that care. I told myself that I was going to ride the ALC6 as a Rider not as a Roadie, so I got onto the Internet to see what it would cost to get a bike and gear that could handle the 100s of miles of training and the 545 mile trip to LA. I kind of got discouraged when I saw that it would cost myself thousand of dollars to get geared up for the ride. Being on a low income I decided that riding wouldn't work for me next year, but Motosafety would.Then things changed for me on a mid September day at the L.A. ALC5 barbecue reunion. I was having a great time chatting away and looking at the pictures of our past venture through the back roads of California. I was explaining in conversation with friends on how I would love to ride in ALC6 as a rider too help support the cause, but that I could not afford a bike and the gear that it would take to complete the ride. I told them that I was still going to be a Motosafety Crew member for the ride that I would be there to help them down the road. Well the day went on and I even explained my situation to Lori Jean which the is coordinator for L.A.'s end of the ride, yet she told me not to worry there will be a year that you will be able to ride. The day continued and it was time for ALC5 video of the ride and the give away of the grand prize which was a brand new JAMIS Ventura road bike. At least everyone there dropped their tickets into the can to be drawn. When the ticket was drew they started to call the first few numbers, of coarse everybody had those numbers. When they continued calling the last three numbers which were 852. I was shocked, because I was holding that winning ticket in my hand. I went up to the stage to receive my new JAMIS road bike they asked if I was going to give it back because I signed up as a roadie, of coarse I said no and told the audience that know I can ride ALC6 and I will ride ALC6 as a rider not a roadie. So please help us out and donate as much or as little as you can to help support AIDS/LIFECYCLE by clicking the web link at the top of page to make your donation.
