Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Los Angeles Times - May 20, 2002
Jeffrey L. Rabin, Times Staff Writer
The inaugural AIDS/LifeCycle was born last fall out of a falling-out between two nonprofit agencies and the promoter of the California AIDS Ride, Los Angeles-based Pallotta TeamWorks.
The Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation created their own ride because they thought Pallotta devoted too much of the funds raised to marketing and operations, rather than to the two groups and their programs. Pallotta sued to block the AIDS/LifeCycle ride, but a Los Angeles Superior Court judge in January ruled that the dueling events could go forward. The ninth California AIDS Ride, sponsored by AIDS Project Los Angeles and produced by Pallotta, will be June 2-8 with an estimated 1,100 participants.
The controversy significantly dampened participation in this year's bicycle journey. The two rides combined will draw fewer than 1,800 participants, compared with 2,700 riders in the single event last year. The organizers of last week's AIDS/LifeCycle ride said their event raised more than $4.4 million in donations.
The AIDS/LifeCycle got off to a difficult start Monday after leaving San Francisco. Shortly after lunch, one participant died of an apparent heart attack on a hill along the San Mateo County coast near San Gregorio State Beach.
But on Sunday, after traveling 65 miles from their last campsite in Ventura, the cyclists drew cheers as they rode the final segment together and attended a ceremony to celebrate their achievement and pay tribute to people who have died of AIDS-related diseases.
The event attracted people from all walks of life, ranging in age from 18 to 71. Each participant was expected to raise at least $2,500. A contingent of New York riders distinguished themselves by wearing green crowns modeled after the Statue of Liberty affixed to their bicycle helmets.
Jesse Dubler, 19, of Los Angeles rode despite being unable to hear traffic or fellow riders along the state's highways. He hopes to create a team of deaf riders next year.
"I'm riding because I had an experience--a 'scare'--that had me sympathize with HIV-positive people," Dubler wrote in response to a reporter's written questions. "I know this is one of the best ways to raise funds and promote awareness."
Ben Goldstein, 53, rode with a group known as the Positive Pedalers, people who have HIV or AIDS, who led the cyclists down Santa Monica Boulevard to the closing ceremony in West Hollywood. Goldstein has been HIV-positive with symptoms for more than 20 years and he has had AIDS for six years.
"I feel like I was going to climb over my own kind of Mt. Everest doing this trip from San Francisco to L.A.," he said. "It was my way of saying no to the virus."
Goldstein said he rode to support the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, which has helped pay for his medications, and to maintain awareness of the health crisis. More than 47,000 people live with AIDS in California, and an additional 94,000 to 130,500 are living with HIV.
Rabin participated in the ride in honor of his brother, Neil, who died of AIDS-related complications in December.
020520
LT020508
Copyright © 2002 - Los Angeles Times. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Los Angeles Times, Permissions, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053. http://www.latimes.com.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2002. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2002. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .