Upright & Stowed

List

Some of the things I remember seeing during my week riding from San Francisco to LA.  Compiled partly so that I don't forget.

strawberry fields, seals, brussels sprouts, wind surfers, live oaks, eucalyptus trees, blooming jacarandas, hippies, artichoke fields, golden beaches, a perfect lighthouse, cows, grapes, soccer fields, petroleum processing plants, snakes (in the form of roadkill, thankfully), palm trees, mansions, mexican field workers, wine-tasting rooms, hills, highways, back roads, surfers, islands in the distance, cheering schoolchildren, orange-y sunsets, Spanish missions, olive trees, cars, crashing waves, rolling surf, military bases, coffee houses, horses, roadside fruit stands, smiling faces

The Wrap Up

After thinking about how to capture my AIDS LifeCycle experience for the blog, I decided that a complete narrative would be far too long, and that it would come up far too short in many ways.   So I’ll settle for a few brief summary points … and the little slide show, above.

The LifeCycle was a physical challenge that I am thrilled to have met.  It was a fund-raising effort that wildly exceeded my goals.  It was a California travel experience of exceptional beauty and diversity.  It was a highly emotional journey, rich in every possible way.  It was seven days and 545 miles of pure, positive energy.  And more than anything else, it was a demonstration of the power of a community of people to come together and do something good.  I am so very proud to have been part of this particular community effort.  Thank you so much to my generous donors, and to my friends and family who helped me get from training all the way to the finish line.

Exuberance

I did it!  I rode my bike 545 miles in 7 days from San Francisco to LA as part of the incredible AIDS LifeCycle.  This is me at the halfway point between San Francisco and LA.  That's my bike over my head, the Pacific Ocean in the distance and one of the happiest smiles of my life on my face.  More to come after I return to NYC on Tuesday ...

Ready to Roll

After three months training, thinking about our inspirations, being blessed with the support of  friends and family, and dreaming of a world without AIDS, Peter, John and I are packed, orientated, carbed up and ready to roll on the AIDS Lifecycle 7 ... 545 miles from San Francisco to LA.  Between the three of us, we've raised over $72,000.  Now that's a powerful threesome, no matter how you cut it.

I've decided to take my first week-long blog vacation, staying in the present throughout the ride.  I have so much to look forward to during the next several days: Challenging myself physically, as never before.  Sharing this journey with two very special friends.  Meeting new people, each with their own stories to tell.  Seeing California in a way I've never seen it.  And crossing the finish line in the presence of my parents, sister, cousins, and many incredible friends who are heading to LA to be with me.  It's going to be amazing.  I look forward to sharing the journey with you upon my return.  Much love, David

20,000

If we had a $20,000 note in the U.S., I would have used its image for today's blog post instead of this 20,000 ruble note from Belarus.  Alas, we don't.  But here's the good news:  Today I surpassed my AIDS LifeCycle fund raising goal of $20,000!!!!  I am absolutely thrilled and honored that my friends, family and unknown blog readers were moved enough by my decision to do this ride that they stepped up and made a donation.  The 545 mile journey from SF to LA will be tough at times, but the spirit of those who have given so generously will be like the wind on my back.  Thank you thank you thank you.

Then/Now: LifeCycle Edition

On February 2nd I completed my first AIDS LifeCycle training ride in Central Park.  Four laps, and it almost killed me.  This weekend I did the same ride, and I barely felt a thing.  So I head to the west coast feeling confident, though not cocky.  Here's the photographic evidence.  No retouching.

RTG

I've got two BIG events coming up, and I took this picture today to illustrate how truly RTG I am.

Event one is my 25th college reunion, this weekend.  Where is that reunion?  At (drumroll) Brown, and thus the selected shirt.  It's backwards in the mirror, but you get the point.

Event two is the AIDS Lifecycle, and my readiness to go is all about my sporty new buzz cut.  There will be no helmet hair for David on this ride.  Even better, I don't have to pack a pharmacy's worth of product. 

It's good to be ready.

100 Miles!

Yesterday I woke up at 3:10 am, rode my bike to Penn Station, took a train to Babylon, retrieved my bike, rode it 100 miles to Montauk, showered, ate like a savage, sat on the LIRR for 145 miles back to NYC, rode my bike home, and climbed the stairs to my  apartment at 9:15 pm. 

You might ask, given a day like that, "Why is David smiling?"  Here's why. 

1. It was supposed to be cloudy and rainy, and it wasn't
2. I am now officially as ready as I'll ever be for my upcoming AIDS LifeCycle
3. I got to spend the day with my training buddy John
4. I was under the careful tutelage of our training "master" Dieter, shown here at the halfway mark.
5. It was a gorgeous ride from beginning to end 
6. I have no idea how bad my helmet hair looks

I'm shipping my bike to San Francisco today.  This is your last chance to sponsor my ride if you haven't done so  already.  I'm working hard to help find a cure for AIDS.  Whatever you can do to help means the world to me.

7 Days in June

 
Follow my AIDS Lifecycle journey by checking out the daily videos, photos and postings on the official site.   Click here.  I'll be back with regular posts after crossing the finish line in LA!

62 Equals 100

Get it?  Sixty two miles equals one hundred kilometers.  That was my training accomplishment for today, leading to a total of 150 miles ridden this week!

Here I am with my numero uno cycle buddy John, earlier this afternoon, upon completion of the Nassau/Suffolk Challenge.  We rode through three hours of rain and three without.  Our course took us through the wealthy villages and hamlets of Long Island's North Shore, none of which I'd seen before.  Glen Cove, Bayside, Cold Spring Harbor, Mill Neck and of course, Muttontown.  It was a great day, and I'm feeling strong.  The 545 mile AIDS LifeCycle kicks off in 34 days.