Something to Think About

In Los Angeles...
An estimated 1,700 people will become infected with HIV this year.

In California...
Approximately 86,120 have died of AIDS since the epidemic began in 1981.
151,000 currently live with HIV/AIDS.

In the United States...
Every 9 ½ minutes, someone is infected with HIV.

In the World….
More than 50% of those living with HIV are women, and women’s share of the infection is increasing in several countries.

Data Sources:
Joint United Nations Program on AIDS (UNAIDS); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); California Department of Public Health; San Francisco Department of Public Health; Los Angeles Department of Public Health; California HIV/AIDS Research Program; the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation; and Buchacz, et al (2005).

A Wake Up Call

I rode 57 miles on Saturday from Santa Monica to Palos Verdes and back. It was not graceful, it was not fast and it was not easy. However, the day was AMAZING!!!

The rain clouds cleared from the downpour the night prior and it was a beautiful Southern California day. I couldn't imagine a better way to spend it than on my bike out in the sunshine. The ride out was great and I felt really good. We were along the coast most of the way and it seemed everyone had the same idea we did...be outside!  The ocean was an incredible blue color, really deep sapphire, and the air was crisp. 

And then...we hit Hawthorne...the most giant, long, crazy, hard hill that I have encountered thus far. I mean it put Griffith Park and Elysian Park hills to shame. IT WAS HUGE! I wish I would have taken a picture from the top to show you what a giant of a mountain this was, but I was too tired when I reached the top to do much of anything. I really didn't think I was going to make it, but there was no alternative...up was the only way to go. Ryan was great at letting me, even encouraging me, to take my time, and one of the ride leaders named Wayne rode with me for a bit and tried to offer me some advice to "think of a song, a rap, a chant, a just get into a rhythm."  I had to stop a number of times, and I am not to proud to tell you that I cried (just once), but eventually I reached the zenith. It was a happy moment for sure.

We started back to Santa Monica at that point and as any of you hikers, bikers or runners know...sometimes down is harder and scarier than going up. My shoulders got really tense and sore as I held the bike stead and applied the breaks and two days later I am still feeling it.  On the plus side, my triceps are much tighter too.

The ride back was long. That is all I will say because I have blocked most of it from my memory. IT WAS LONG and I was so very glad to be home. We rode 57 miles, in 7 hours that day. I am convinced Ryan, Ulisses and many of the others could have done it in half the time, but when all was said and done, I did it!!  Even now it feels like a dream. 
When we got home I couldn't eat anything and noticed that my body started to go into shock with bouts of chills and fever. This was my fault. I did not hydrate or eat as I should have, and I definitely learned that I need to take care of my body before, during and after a ride. The ALC folks would say "drink before your thirsty, eat before your hungry, and pee before you pee your pants." :) Good advice all around.

Ya know, this was the hardest ride I have completed thus far. It was physically straining, but maybe even more telling to me...it was mentally and emotionally straining. I always wondered what people thought about on these long rides, and truthfully I am sure it is as varied as the people riding. I asked Ryan and his response really stuck with me. He said "when I ride I am just so happy to be on my bike, I think of work and people and my life...but mostly I just have fun." That was not the case with me. I had some interesting thoughts about removing "more" from the dictionary, the fact that we live in a world of logos (and very bad ones for the most part), and I sang Sugarlands "Fly Away" over and over and over...but my thoughts were mostly negative.  This is something I am going to work on next weekend. I am going to seek beauty and fun instead of dwelling on the Hawthorne hills. The rides (and life) are too short to dwell on the uphills.

This ride was a wake up call for me, and I can't wait to see what next week's ride will bring.

1ST CALL FOR FUNDING SUPPORT!!

Dear Friends,
I know that there are many worthy causes that you support and conversely, the economic climate has us all tightening our belts. I considered funding the ride myself, but then I decided it was important to give you the chance to support me in this endeavor. Fighting HIV/AIDS is something I am passionate about and I hope that, even if you don’t agree with the charity or only have a small donation to give, you will consider supporting me in this ride.

With your help, my fundraising efforts will enable the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center to develop management programs and offer continued leadership to prevent new HIV infections. This year the AIDS funding in California was cut drastically by the government so every donation, no matter how big or small, will help.

The AIDS crisis is not over!
All cyclists are required to raise $3,000 by May 15th to participate in the ride; my goal is to raise $5,000.

To support me with your financial contribution, please follow the link below: www.tofighthiv.org/goto/cinsation

I greatly appreciate your consideration, and your donation. With your help we can make a difference!

Thank You!
Cindee

Doubts

So it has been awhile since I've had an update.  And truth be told...I haven't been riding at all.  Between the rain and moving apartments, I just didn't have it in me to get into the saddle and ride. During this downtime I've been thinking...maybe I should just do it another year.  The thought of raising $2,810 ($190 already secure) in the next couple of months terrifies me, and I have yet to ride more than 30 miles or do a back-to-back ride.  Ugh!! :)

All these doubts circling and dancing in my head for weeks and weeks, and then.....I just made up my mind a couple days ago.... I AM DOING THIS!  I am doing this reader!! I may have to do it alone, and I may have to pay the fundraising minimum myself (let's hope not) but I am doing this.  I refuse to chalk this up to all talk and no action.

Last night I started my 10 miles per day on the bike at the gym, signed up for a 55 mile Palos Verde training ride on Saturday (yikes!) and wrote my first fundraising letter.  I also clocked the distance to and from work (4.5 miles each way) and as the weather continues to cooperate, I am going to ride to work 2-3x a week.

I have to keep reminding myself that I didn't just sign up for this for the athletic challenge (although it surely is). I did it as a committment for myself to help raise awareness and funds to fight HIV/AIDS. It is time for me to put the doubt behind and move forward.  You will be hearing a lot from me in the upcoming weeks and months asking for money and providing information about this disease.  Please help however you can.

THE AIDS CRISIS IS NOT OVER and the state of California especially needs your help as funding was cut this year.  Together I know we can make a difference. I'm counting on it.