Long Beach Cyclist Blogs On San Francisco-LA Ride

This marks the first on-the-road installment from cyclist John Pierson, who  works in the ports complex and lives farther East in Long Beach. He will be reporting from the road as he and thousands of others take part in a 545-mile cycling benefit. "All money raised in this endeavor goes directly to prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS."

Good Morning!
You likely don't know me, and I've never contributed to Patch.com before, but I've just taken off on an adventure that will affect someone you know.

As I write this, it's 9:30 Saturday night, and I've just finished an intense day of last-minute preparation for this year's AIDS Lifecycle. Along with nearly 2,300 other people, I'm riding a bicycle from San Francisco to Los Angeles to help raise money to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS.

We all gathered Saturday morning at the Cow Palace in Daly City, CA, to hear our fellow riders' inspiring stories about overcoming diagnoses of HIV and AIDS, and surviving loss of family members to AIDS. We also went through safety training that's vital to get us all down the road safely.

As you're reading this, I've likely already left Daly City and am pedaling my way to Santa Cruz. Over the next seven days, as we ride from city to city, battle the elements, eat tons of food to replace the thousands of calories we burn, and learn more about ourselves and the things we're capable of, I'll work to bring you stories from the road.  Sometimes it'll be from a person who's HIV positive, sometimes it'll be a person who lost a loved one, or even just a person who was inspired to undertake a new challenge.

Either way, I'm excited for the opportunity to bring you along on the ride, and hope you'll enjoy the experience with us!
Thank You,

John Pierson

AIDS/Lifecycle Rider #3574

www.tofighthiv.org/goto/John.Pierson

(No pressure but those who are interested can make a tax-deductible donation; I'm more than half-way to my fundraising goal).