Showing posts with label general info. Show all posts
Showing posts with label general info. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

DID YOU KNOW? ALC Team PHX is on Facebook!


Check us out. In addition to our hot blog, we have an official Facebook group! Join us on Facebook today! Are you a local ALC cyclist or roadie and want to join the team - either officially or unofficially? Give us a shout and we'll get you hooked up!

To find the team page, search for "I ♥ ALC Team PHX". SUPPORT YOUR HOME TEAM! JOIN TODAY!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

OFFICIAL AIDS LIFECYCLE MEET AND GREET IN PHOENIX - November 15

PLEASE RSVP for the OFFICIAL AIDS LifeCycle Meet and Greet at Bliss/ReBAR MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15 from 6-9pm! Members of Team PHX and a representative from the ALC staff will be on hand to answer any questions you have about the ride! Come meet some other cyclists, enjoy a drink and some DELICIOUS appetizers, and learn about the ride! I promise there is nothing more exciting going on on a Monday night in Phoenix!

OFFICIAL MEET AND GREET
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2010 - BLISS/REBAR - PHOENIX, ARIZONA - 6:00-9:00 pm

To RSVP for the event, please visit http://www.tofighthiv.org/site/Calendar/2038112248?view=Detail&id=145812. Know a cyclist or someone interested in the ride? Feel free to invite them along!

Thursday, October 21, 2010

An AMAZING Video from the LA Gay and Lesbian Center...

Friends -
Do you have questions about how the money we raise for AIDS LifeCycle is being spent? This video from the LA Gay and Lesbian Center - which supports ANYONE who needs help, NOT JUST LGBTQ persons - does a really good job of covering some of the critical services your sponsorship dollars support.


PLEASE take a look and support the cyclists of ALC Team PHX TODAY! We need your help to protect these services so that they can continue to provide care and services to people in need.

Thank you!

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Fountain Park, Fountain Hills, AZ



Today I rode out to Fountain Hills as part of a 75 mile ride around the Northeast valley. Fountain Park is a frequent highlight of my longer rides and I wanted to share a few brief seconds of the joyous sight of the fountain with all of you.

Every hour, the fountain fires off for a solid 15 minutes. It's quite a spectacle to see.

Here's a little blurb about the fountain from the Fountain Hills municipal website:
The centerpiece of Fountain Hills is our beautiful fountain; one of the world's tallest man-made fountains. It serves as a focal point for the community and attracts thousands of visitors each year.
The fountain was built in 1970 by Robert McCulloch the year before reconstruction of the London Bridge in Lake Havasu City, another of McCulloch's projects. The fountain sprays water for about 15 minutes every hour at the top of the hour. The plume rises from a concrete water lily sculpture in the center of a large man-made lake.
The fountain, driven by three 600 horsepower (450kW) turbine pumps, sprays water at a rate of 7,000 gallons per minute though an 18-inch nozzle. With all three pumps and under ideal conditions, the fountain reaches 560 feet (170m) in height, though in normal operation only two of the pumps are used, with a fountain height of around 300 feet (91m). When built, it was the world's tallest fountain and held that record for over a decade.

Monday, September 13, 2010

TWO Local Shop Rides Make BICYCLING MAGAZINE'S '50 Best Rides in America' List!

If you're looking for additional local rides to supplement your training for AIDS LifeCycle, here are two local shop rides that might be worth looking into. A few of our cyclists have purchased bikes from Bike Barn (and we LOVE the staff there). I might be checking out their rides soon. I will let you know when I'm going!

The image below is a little blurry in spots, but I copied the text below, as well!

From the October 2010 issue of Bicycling... Click to enlarge!

Bike Barn
Phoenix
The Ride: Meeting at 6 or 7 a.m. two Sundays a month, this ride covers 20 to 30 miles, depending on the pack's makeup. The relatively flat suburban roads help accommodate newbies.
The Scene: Ride leaders Bob and Dave create a custom route for each week's group - and because there are two leaders, the pack often splits into fast and slow rides.
The Scoop: bikebarnaz.com

Bicycle Ranch
Scottsdale
The Ride: Attracting as many as 80 people, the A/B/C ride spins 40-60 miles along an out-and-back route that leaves from the shop and heads toward the mountains. After grinding up a 1,500-foot climb, the pack regroups at the Bartlett Lake Ranger Station before descending back to the shop.
The Scene: The shop provides postride bagels and coffee for all riders.
The Scoop: bicycleranch.com
 

Saturday, June 12, 2010

DAY SEVEN: VENTURA TO LOS ANGELES! WOOOO HOOOOO!


We're almost there! Today our trip south will take us through Ventura, Oxnard and Port Hueneme (pronounced Why-Knee-Me) and Malibu. Is that Mel Gibson I spy?! Or Barbie in her pink Corvette?!

We will see the military planes on display as you ride past the Naval Air Station on our way to Highway 1 also known as the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). Once on PCH it's a straight shot down the coastline for about 20 miles. We will enjoy the southern California sights of surfers and beach goers as we pedal through Malibu on our way toward LA. We will complete our journey with a turn away from the coast and nice pedal through Santa Monica on our way to the Closing Ceremonies site.

Highlight of the day: The streets are peppered along the route on Day 7 with friends, family and well-wishers!

The other UNSPOKEN Highlight of the Day: TONIGHT WE GET TO SLEEP IN REAL BEDS! IN WEST HOLLYWOOD!


TODAY'S PROJECTED DISTANCE: 61.5 miles

Friday, June 11, 2010

Tonight, we honor those we have lost...


Tonight, the participants of AIDS/LifeCycle, as well as our friends and families, honor the memory of everyone we have lost to this disease. As we gather on the beach this evening in Ventura, California, I ask each of you take a moment to reflect on your own memories and the impact HIV and AIDS have had on your own life. We must come together to put a stop to the spread of HIV while helping those living with HIV and AIDS to live in good health and with the dignity and respect they deserve as our brothers and sisters.

Bless you all!

DAY SIX: LOMPOC TO VENTURA!

Day Six begins on one of the prettiest roads on the entire route... You know, when it's not RAINING. Last year, the Day Six route was closed by the California Highway Patrol due to heavy rain, which caused a number of automobile accidents in the early morning.

But none of that this year! We hope.

We will pedal through vast expansive ranch lands with wildflower covered hills on both sides! As we ride toward the coast through the gorgeous Gaviota Pass we will be on US101. After lunch we will pass through the heart of Santa Barbara, Montecito and Carpinteria and on into Ventura where we camp at San Buenaventura State Beach.

Highlight of the day: Day Six is the best day for dolphin sightings! Tonight is also the annual candlelight vigil on the beach in Ventura. More on that later!


TODAY'S PROJECTED DISTANCE: 85.5 miles

Thursday, June 10, 2010

DAY FIVE: SANTA MARIA TO LOMPOC! RED DRESS DAY!



Day Five begins with a beautiful and scenic ride through the farmlands of Santa Maria. At the edge of town, we will enter one of Santa Barbara County's prettiest wine country roads. The scenery will be classic Central California with sprawling vineyards and ancient oak trees making the few challenging climbs along the way well worth the effort.

Lunch is located in the quaint tourist town of Solvang - a town founded by Danish immigrants. The authentic Danish architecture, thatched roofs, traditional windmills give the town an old world feel, making it a very popular cycling destination. Departing Solvang, we will pedal through Buellton, home of the world famous Pea Soup Andersen's and head into Lompoc on more beautiful and scenic wine country roads.

Highlight of the day: It's RED DRESS DAY!!!

(Just a note: This is the day that I ended up in the Emergency Room on ALC 7! Last year, no problems, but I'm hoping to avoid a repeat performance!)


TODAY'S PROJECTED DISTANCE: 67.7 miles... while wearing dresses.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Thank You Ginger Brewlay!


Today, as we ride our bikes to the summit of the Evil Twins, before we get a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean on the other side, we're going to get a good look at Ginger Brewlay as she cheers us to the top of the hill. Ginger's participation with the ride for the past 16 years and fundraising efforts for HIV and AIDS year after year is an inspiration to us all.

And hell, when you see her at the top of the the highest point on the ride each day, you just can't help but smile as she waves, cheers, and pushes struggling cyclists up over the last hump... In heels.

We love you, Ginger.

Check out AIDS/LifeCycle's recent interview with Ginger Brewlay:

DAY FOUR: PASO ROBLES TO SANTA MARIA!


The route on Day 4 has a little bit of everything - a feast for the eyes with stunning vistas and ocean views that give way to sprawling fields of farmland and even some quaint seaside towns. The route will wind along some remote and seldom-traveled roads as well as some congested town streets. Before lunch we will conquer the infamous Evil Twins. The Evil Twins are no fun! The name comes from the fact that once you reach the first summit, you have to ride back downhill a bit before riding UPHILL again to the second summit.


The views from the top of that second sister hill are nothing short of spectacular! The hills beyond the second hill seem to ripple and roll out toward the ocean just a few short miles away. From there we will ride back out to the coast and through the city of Pismo Beach and on into Preisker Park in the beautiful Central California city of Santa Maria. BUT... Not before stopping in the coastal town of Cayucos at the base of the mountain for Cheeseburgers with Dr. Vince and Team Dilly Dally!

Highlight of the day: Half Way to LA!!


TODAY'S PROJECTED DISTANCE: 97.7 miles

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

DAY THREE: KING CITY TO PASO ROBLES



TODAY IS THE QUADBUSTER! Sounds awful, huh?

Don't let the name scare you, though. Quadbuster is only a small part of the route on Day Three. We will pedal on VERY remote roads passing only a few small quaint stores, mostly later in the day. On ALC 7 we rode past the most expensive gas in the United States - no kidding - at $5.09 for Regular Unleaded!

Rest Stop 4 is at Mission San Miguel, one of California's 21 historic Missions. This is where I bought the crucifix for the Anglican rosary I created for last year's AIDS/LifeCycle event. The day ends as we ride into Paso Robles where we camp at the Mid State Fairgrounds. We dine inside the fairgrounds dining hall - what a treat! Indoor facilities! Highlight of the day: Lunch on Day Three is in the small town of Bradley where the local school hosts a BBQ to raise money for their field trip program. I'll gladly donate some money to the kids this year, but I'll bypass the burger line again this year to get back on the road I think.


TODAY'S PROJECTED DISTANCE: 66.7 miles

Monday, June 7, 2010

The view from DAY TWO: SANTA CRUZ TO KING CITY!


This is what the better part of Day Two ought to look like... I took this photo on ALC 7 -- Just before Scott C. wiped out and broke his shoulder. Scott is back on the ride this year. No more napping in ditches, buddy.

Beautiful, no?


Day Two is going to be 107.6 miles this year! This is a long mileage day with relatively flat terrain that will take us through the Salinas Valley, also known as Steinbeck Country (good thing I've read The Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men, no?). The lushness of vineyards, strawberry and artichoke fields stretch as far as the eye can see in all directions. There are usually excellent tailwinds (except for one horrible spot where the tailwinds become CROSSWINDS!) along the roller coaster road (literally! Rolling hills with strong tailwinds pushing us home) that takes us into King City at the end of the day. Highlight of the day: Mission Soledad, the Water Stop location on Day 2 is one of the most historic and special destinations on the ride.


TODAY'S PROJECTED DISTANCE: 107.6 miles

Sunday, June 6, 2010

WELCOME TO DAY ONE! SAN FRANCISCO TO SANTA CRUZ!


Our AIDS/LifeCycle adventure begins as we ride out of the Cow Palace grounds in San Francisco immediately following Opening Ceremonies. The route on Day One offers some of the best scenery and cycling roads that San Mateo County has to offer. The stunning coastal views from hilltops to the ocean are truly Northern California at its best! Tailwinds prevail as we pedal along scenic CA Hwy 1 on our way to Harvey West Park in the City of Santa Cruz. Highlight of the day: The lunch stop on Day One offers a spectacular and breathtaking view of the ocean.

Day One offered three very moving experiences for me on ALC 7 and 8: The opening ceremonies, the crowds along the streets with memorials to family and friends lost to AIDS, and the beautiful views along the Pacific (pictured above).


TODAY'S PROJECTED DISTANCE: 79.4 miles

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Check Out Stephanie TerMeer's Blog, Cycle Sister

Tyler's sister, Stephanie, is with us on the ride this week and is also keeping a blog. Check it out at http://cyclesister.blogspot.com.

A DAY ZERO PRIMER: WELCOME TO AIDS LIFECYCLE!

Tyler, Scott, and I want to thank all of you - our sponsors and supporters - for your contributions and messages of support over the last several months. Last year, Tyler and I kept a very active blog to help you experience AIDS LifeCycle as closely to way we experience it on the road.

Here it is again! While we've been blogging during our training, you're going to start to notice some changes in the way we post. Here's a little primer to the blog as you'll see it over the next few days.

Daily Route Summaries: Early each day, we'll post a route summary that offers a short description of the route, sometimes a photo or two, highlights for that day, and the total projected distance.

Gabcasts: Usually once or twice a day, we'll post an audio message that can be played through our blog. This is a chance to actually hear our voices and get a little bit of a quick update from the road.

Text Message Posts: We will post A LOT of short messages from the road in the form of text messages or short emails. These will be SHORT and SWEET, but will help give you an idea of what we're up to on the ride.

Photos and Videos: We will try to take some photos and video and post them from the road. You won't see too many of these, but we usually take a few and upload them. It's a pretty safe bet you'll see one the morning of Day Four when we hoist our bikes over our heads atop THE EVIL TWINS at the HALFWAY TO L.A. POINT.

Now, here's some overview information about the Route:

One of the many things that makes AIDS/LifeCycle such a unique and special event is the scenic route that takes us through the heart of California. Stunning views, historic destinations, and even the chance to spot dolphins frolicking off the coast are followed by a hero's welcome in the City of Angels. Although the route has been largely the same since the very first AIDS/LifeCycle, there are typically some changes from year to year.

There are seven days of riding, and each day is different. We’ll ride an average of 80 miles a day, over varying terrain. One day, we’ll be riding a flat route along the coast or through artichoke and strawberry fields, the next we might be riding through fog banks and foothills. The course is designed to be challenging but completely doable.

The starting points and destinations for each day are as follows:

DAY ONE: San Francisco to Santa Cruz
DAY TWO: Santa Cruz to King City
DAY THREE: King City to Paso Robles
DAY FOUR: Paso Robles to Santa Maria
DAY FIVE: Santa Maria to Lompoc
DAY SIX: Lompoc to Ventura
DAY SEVEN: Ventura to Los Angeles

Today is DAY ZERO (yeah, we really call it that)! We're in Orientation today, squaring away some final business and getting ready to hit the road! Keep checking in these next few days for new posts!

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Los Angeles or BUST... Take One

Alright folks! It's time for Tyler and I to get on the road, bound for Los Angeles! The car is packed up with our luggage, the bikes are mounted on the hitch rack, and we're about to be fully caffeinated thanks to the lovely ladies at the Central Park Starbucks!


We're dropping the bikes off in Orange County, where they will be staged and shipped via truck to San Francisco. Meanwhile, we'll hop on a plane at LAX and arrive in SFO early in the evening.

Scotty will join us in San Francisco Friday afternoon.

Wish us luck! Los Angeles or BUST... Until the next time.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

WHY WE RIDE

It’s easy to think that HIV/AIDS is no longer a problem. Medications have come a long way, and people are living longer, healthier lives. This is why the work of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center is so vital. These agencies continue to provide the critical services and education needed to meet the growing needs of our community. We ride to raise awareness and knowledge about HIV/AIDS among participants, their donors, and the general public. We ride because—in the current economy—our agencies need these funds more than ever. Ultimately, we ride so that someday, we won’t have to.

AIDS is not over.

In California alone there are 151,000 people living with HIV. Nationally, 70 percent of all new infections occur in communities of color and people under the age of 25 are increasingly affected.

The costs associated with medical care and treatment for a person with HIV are about $20,000 per year. Access to life-saving drugs, clinical trials and state-of-the-art treatment helps those with the disease live a longer and better quality of life. AIDS/LifeCycle will help those living with HIV/AIDS gain greater independence and get the treatment and care they need. Prevention services geared towards high-risk populations will ensure that future generations will not experience the same level of loss that we have faced in the last two decades.

As the number of people living with HIV increases, so does the need for the services provided by the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, the two agencies producing this event.

AIDS/LifeCycle is the only AIDS fundraising bicycle event in California organized by the non-profit agencies that will benefit from the money raised by its participants. Our sole concern is providing critical services to people living with HIV and AIDS. Your support and commitment to this event is pivotal to our success. Your participation and the monies you raise will allow us to provide these critical services.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Data from the Paul Hulse Memorial Century Ride

We'll be posting a more complete description of the day's events early this week, but I wanted to share the map, elevation profile, and some data about the ride tonight before I hit the sack. Here you go!

(Click to View)



Starting Point: Santa Clarita, CA
Mid-Point: Ventura, CA
Ending Point: Santa Clarita, CA
Miles Completed: 103.9
Average Speed: 16.6 mph
Maximum Speed: 36 mph
Total Moving Time: 6:06
Total Ascent: 2,724 feet
Elevation Change from Lowest to Highest Point: 1,125 feet
Calories Burned: 5,600+
Total Flats: 2

Number of New Friendships: Too Many to Count!