From May 31st to June 6th, a group of determined men and women will cycle from San Francisco to Los Angeles. They'll be pedaling for AIDS as they participate in the 14th annual AIDS/Lifecycle, the ride to raise funds and awareness for the disease which decimated the LGBT community during the 1980s.
As with previous years, each rider signs up a series of sponsors. Sponsors commit to a financial donation to be used for HIV services at the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the Los Angeles LGBT Center, both of which are the Lifecycle beneficiaries.
Castro resident and longtime HIV survivor Sean Ray, a 10-year veteran of AIDS/LIfecycle and one of the ride's "roadies" (service providers), tells Hoodline that HIV remains with us. "AIDS has become a manageable, chronic condition," Ray tells us. "And that's not a bad thing, but the virus is still an issue."
Photo: Sean Ray
"For many people, basic needs such as food, shelter, and clothing come into play for those who are homeless or disenfranchised, and are trying to cope with just surviving every day," Ray notes. "Having access to support systems, medical care, and housing resources is crucial to these individuals."
"Nor has the stigma associated with HIV has gone away," Ray said. "But I recently spoke to someone who seroconverted (became HIV positive), and he told me he felt like it was a death sentence. Although he knew in his head that this was not the case, just hearing those words is devastating, even today."
The ride itself, as Ray describes it, is an incomparable seven-day experience. "We leave from the Cow Palace in San Francisco on Sunday, May 31st, and arrive in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 6th," he says. "During the week, riders and roadies camp in tents in parks and fairgrounds along the way—Santa Cruz, King City, Paso Robles, Santa Maria, Lompoc and Ventura. The ride is fully supported by a team of 600 volunteer roadies. They take care of everything along the ride that does not involve actual cycling—meal service, rest stops, gear and tents, camp and route signage, massage, medical, water and ice, and much more."
Photo: AIDS Lifecycle / Website
In addition to fundraising, Ray says that the ride is also a wonderful way to meet people and bond. "I love waking up and hanging out in each camp with folks," he said. "We meet so many amazing people along the route, from school kids and church groups to business people and entire communities. I really do feel that this event spreads awareness to those who would never otherwise be exposed to HIV/AIDS awareness."
Though roadies don't ride, they still have their work cut out for them. "As a roadie, one does like to be physically prepared," Ray explains. "Although it is not the same as being on your bike all day, many of the roadie jobs, including my gear and tent team, are physically demanding and require you to be up at very early hours and working all day. Unwinding with my teammates is my best way to recover, along with getting plenty of rest, water and food."
Maintaining his health and wellbeing has been a part of Ray's life for many years. "I have been HIV positive since August of 2000," he shared with us. "Although this is a long time, I feel the long term HIV survivors are the folks who've been with us since the '80s and '90s—truly amazing. My health is luckily very good. I started on medications a couple of years after my diagnosis and have changed regimens a few times over the years, as medicine advances. I currently take one daily pill, Triumeq, which is quite different from when I first started."
Ray is quite happy with the results of his regimen. "I am 46 now," he says. "Other than knowing that I have HIV, I would never know that I have HIV."
As for Ray's individual fundraising, Ray tells Hoodline that this year's ride is filled to capacity with riders and roadies—but that all-too-critical funds are still needed. "Right now I'm the number one roadie fundraiser for the second year in a row," he says proudly, pointing out that he raised $35,000 in support of last year's ride. His goal for this year is $20,000. (You can visit his fundraising page for more information.)
Have you ever participated in the Lifecycle or know someone who has? Share your experiences in the comments.
