AIDS/LifeCycle

From ibikeu Wiki

AIDS/LifeCycle (also abbreviated ALC) is an annual seven day, 545 mile bicycle ride and fundraising event that wends its way from San Francisco to Los Angeles to raise money in the fight against AIDS.

Participants in the ride are required to raise a minimum of $2500 to participate. This high minimum donation & large number of participants (2500+ riders) raises a tremendous amount of money for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the AIDS related services of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center. In 2008, AIDS/LifeCycle 7 raised 11.6 million dollars.

Some of this money also pays for the overhead of the ride itself, which is a fully supported ride, with vehicles that carry bags for the riders, SAG cars, rest stops with snacks and provided meals, and camp sites with services including portable shower facilities. The staff for the event largely consists of a volunteer work force of roadies, which helps keep costs low and maximize funds for the beneficiaries. Sponsorships from large businesses and corporations also help pay for some of the support services on the ride.

Rider Support

AIDS/LifeCycle is known for its high level of support for cyclists, largely staffed by volunteer roadie crews.

• Breakfast, lunch and dinner meals with separate menu for vegetarians. (Not all vegetarian options are vegan)
• Rest stops along route with snacks, water, drinks, and portable restrooms in between meals.
• Traffic directors at some intersections to aid cyclists getting through areas of heavy car traffic. Some intersection corking by police on mass ride out on day one.
• Detailed route slips handed out at beginning of each day with arrows pre-posted at all turns for ease of navigation. Some safety signs posted for road hazards for cyclists as well as warning signs for cars to be aware of cyclists on the road.
• Gear trucks carry all cyclists and roadie travel bags, and truck crews aid in loading and unloading.
• Standard 2-person tents provided for all participants and carried with bags on gear trucks.
• Announcements and entertainment at dining tables during dinner each evening.
• Roadie crews cheer on riders, often at the peaks of major hill climbs.
• Some small towns along the route host special events such as BBQs and bake sales to give riders an alternative to pre-made lunches and raise money for local schools.
• Bike tech crews provide free service for bike maintenance, and only charge cyclists for parts used. Bike tech teams are set up at major stops and in camp each morning and evening.
• Limited number of sample bikes courtesy of Cannondale. Priority is given to riders whose bikes cannot be repaired. Any remaining bikes can be demoed for a day of riding.
• Fully equipped medical staff and a separate team of sports medicine specialists that provide massage and sports taping for muscle and tendon strain and injuries. Rollers provided for self massage.
• Portable shower facilities at camp each morning and evening.
• Portable restroom facilities at all rest stops and camp sites.
• Temporary bike racks at all stops and fenced bike racks for all cyclists guarded by security staff at camp sites.

Traditions

• Rest Stop 4
  • Festive themes to cheer on riders are common at many rest stops on the ride, but one rest stop is especially known for this. Rest Stop 4, the final rest stop on all but one day of riding, is made up of a team dedicated to going above and beyond to put on a show for riders. Employing props and costumes, the roadie team of Rest Stop 4 put on elaborate productions to cheer on riders before they finish the last leg to camp. They have their own website, and although volunteer roadies are not required to raise funds, they collectively raised over $20,000 in 2008.
• Red Dress Day
  • On day 5 of ALC, many participants wear red dresses or other red attire and costumes. The tradition began when it was noticed one of the stretches of road on the route for day 5 looped around like a ribbon, and that a stream of riders in red would make it appear like the red ribbon worn in solidarity for those living with HIV & AIDS or have passed away from the disease.
• Candlelight Vigil
  • On the evening of Day 6, a candlelight vigil is held along the shoreline at the Ventura camp site.

Links

• AIDS LifeCycle Official Website
• Team Midnight Ridazz is a group from the Los Angeles bike scene that participated in AIDS LifeCycle 7.