AIDS/LifeCycle 4 -- March is the Perfect Time to Gear Up

AIDS/LifeCycle, the 585-mile cycling event benefiting the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, launched its fourth year at the Kick Off party in January held at the W San Francisco. One of the party's many highlights was the premiere of the CBS/UPN Bay Area produced Public Service Announcement featuring AIDS/LifeCycle3 cyclist #2308, singer Tracy Chapman, who lent her beautiful voice to endorse this year's event. We also welcomed our newest sponsor, Wells Fargo, who joins Subaru, 24 Hour Fitness and CBS5/UPN Bay Area, all of whom continue to generously support AIDS/LifeCycle, the largest multi-day cycling event for HIV/AIDS in the United States.

Stephen Cadby, Associate Director of AIDS/LifeCycle, notes that the growth of this year's event is based on "positive buzz" from past participants who have discovered that the joy of participating comes on three levels: the physical challenge of cycling 585 miles in seven days; the enormous donor support; and the concrete difference cyclists know they are making in the lives of those with HIV. "We are gratified by the tremendous interest in our event, coming not only from Northern California but from around the nation and from several countries. The growing registration numbers and the participants' excitement and dedication affirm that a commitment to ending the AIDS pandemic is alive and well."

Tilmin Husdon, a multi-year AIDS/LifeCycle participant first joined the event three years ago for very personal reasons. "Two of my dearest friends, Tony and John, died of AIDS within six weeks of each other. It changed my life and the life of all my friends. Now we go to weddings, baby showers and parties, and Tony and John are not with us." Hudson struggled physically to complete her first ride but never gave up. "People think they need to be super athletes, that they need to ride every single mile and be real fast and not struggle. It's not about that at all. It's about raising money to help others have a better and longer life. It's about taking care of each other. It's about a community coming together to say, 'Don't forget those who have died. Don't forget there is no cure.'"

It's the perfect time to register and train for this year's event which takes place June 5 -11. Our upcoming Cyclist Expo on March 13th at the Hall of Flowers in Golden Gate Park welcomes those who want to register by providing fundraising and training workshops, three training rides geared toward every level of cycling, informational miniseminars on health, nutrition, proper cycling technique and bicycle fit. AIDS/LifeCyclists also enjoys discounts from local cycling stores, fitness clubs and other community partners. Join us at the March Expo or at one of our information meetings and meet the extraordinary people that make up AIDS/LifeCycle. Check out our website www.aidslifecycle.org for a complete schedule or call us directly at 415-581-7077.