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Riding from SF to LA for AIDS. Ballers! AIDS Lifecycle 2008, day 6. Photo: GarySe7en via Flickr.
In just 8 weeks, 3000 cyclists will pedal up San Vicente Blvd. in Santa Monica after a 7-day and 545-mile ride that begins in San Francisco. This year marks the 8th Annual AIDS Life Cycle Ride, a benefit for and co-produced by the LA Gay and Lesbian Center and the SF AIDS Foundation.
Join the fight this Sunday, as two LA-based AIDS Lifecycle teams, the Midnight Ridazz and Until There's A Cure, along with Prix Body Adornment, host Ink-&-Ride, a day of biking, tattooing, eating, drinking and fundraising, all in support of the LA Gay and Lesbian Center.
This LAist writer happens to be participating in this year's ride, and has been amazed by the generosity and kindness of all the people involved. After a tour of the LA Gay and Lesbian Center's Clinic a few weeks ago and spending time with other participants who also happen to be direct beneficiaries of the the clinics services, the importance of the ride took on a new meaning. Especially in a time where funding is being cut and donations are down. For some, this ride marks the 17th and even 20th "anniversary" of their diagnosis with HIV, basically making them survival cases. So the efforts are paying off, but much work is still to be done, especially in terms of education and awareness in order to curtail new diagnoses. This ride literally helps save lives.
Not feeling a tattoo? The Midnight Ridazz team will be selling their siiiick I BIKE LA shirts. You can't bike LA without one. And "each one comes with a fancy limited edition laminated spoke card telling you how awesome you are for joining in the good fight." For just $20 (and a good cause), that's a bargain for a t-shirt. How can you say no?
Bike Ride: 8am; 30 miles through Beverly Hills, into the Valley and back
Tattoos: 1pm - 10pm; $100 with 60% of the proceeds going to Aids Lifecycle
Eat and Drink: Red Rock Bar & Brewery will be offering 10% discounts.
PRIX BODY ADORNMENT
8776 W. Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood
And for all you Long Beachers.... you can support AIDS Lifecycle too. Today and tomorrow, The Midnight Ridazz will be representing at the Long Beach Bike Festival, hosting the goldsprints, selling their shirts and helping people get down for the fight against AIDS.
