San Francisco Chronicle - June 1, 2009
Jim Doyle, Chronicle Staff Writer

The event, co-sponsored by the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, drew fewer riders than in some previous years, but nonetheless captured support for the two nonprofit organization's AIDS-related services.

"We raised $10 million that is really critically needed, in spite of the economy and particularly in light of the cuts that the governor is proposing for HIV care," said Debra Holtz, a spokeswoman for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation.

About 2,150 riders from 41 states and 14 nations began the winding, 545-mile trek in drizzly fog at the Cow Palace, heading south on Interstate 280 in even more fog, before cutting over to Highway 1, where the sun finally broke through. Sunday's first leg carried the riders 79 miles to Santa Cruz.

Many of the cyclists wore exotic headgear - their helmets adorned with feathers, cow horns, animal ears, bumblebees, daisies, crowns, and other mascots and avatars. A few riders were on recumbents - low, reclining bikes for one or two people.

Justin and Amie DuBois of Montara and their 4-year-old Australian shepherd, Rocco, waited alongside Highway 1 for Amie's sister-in-law, Maryann Grond of Los Angeles, who was participating in the marathon for the 10th time.

Shifting to nonprofit event

Beginning in the early 1990s, the for-profit Pallotta TeamWorks firm of Los Angeles sponsored the California AIDS Ride. But that organization fell out of favor among activists who complained that it was increasingly profit driven. In 2002, nonprofit sponsors organized a competing event - the AIDS/LifeCycle, which is now the dominant event of its kind in California.

"All the riders seem happy," said Justin DuBois, waving at the legions of passing cyclists.

At a nearby rest stop, Francisco Taylor of Concord blew soap bubbles at arriving riders, who stopped to take five.

"The training is the hardest part. The ride itself is wonderful," said Jordana Jones of Rancho Santa Margarita (Orange County), who trained for six months and rode with six others in a group called the Kitty Kat Club.

"The fundraising was a little tougher than last year, but we made it," said Jones, who sported kitty ears above her helmet and a long orange tail attached to her bike seat. "I raised $3,500."

The cyclists stopped for lunch a few miles south of Half Moon Bay at San Gregorio State Beach, where some riders crashed out for a nap on a bluff overlooking the ocean.

Others shared picnic tables or sat on the grass, wolfing down a bag lunch that included a sandwich, orzo salad, water and Powerade.

Nearby, some cyclists were treated by a medical team, mainly for cuts, bruises and dehydration.

Fitness trainers' pact

Pedro Carriedo and Lauren Fairbanks, both personal fitness trainers from New York, took a break from pedaling. He stretched out her body, and she gave him a neck massage.

"That was the agreement: We'd stretch each other out, but she's not really sticking to the plan," Carriedo joked.

"The ride has been awesome. It's been beautiful," she said. "I'm really excited to see how the next few days go."

About 500 volunteer "roadies" helped stage the event, handling logistics, traffic control and medical team duties, and handing out food and water.

"All the riders and roadies come together not only to support each other, but to spread awareness and educate the communities that we ride through," said Michael Cook of San Francisco, who followed the cyclists in a van with five other ex-riders who all wore rabbit ears.

Cook, who has ridden in the event five times, couldn't participate this year because of a broken jaw he suffered from a bike accident in the Presidio three months ago.

Ricky Normington and Jackie DeJesse, both 18 and seniors at Head-Royce School in Oakland, rode in the marathon as a high school project.

"I like challenging myself, and I was kind of inspired by my mom (Consuelo Crosby) who ran a marathon (in Florence, Italy) for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation two years ago," DeJesse said. "Seeing her at the finish line, seeing how she felt, it's a feeling you can't get anywhere else."

Lonnie Payne-Clark, 56, of Napa is making his seventh AIDS ride down the coast.

"I lost my first partner of 17 years and also my identical twin to AIDS back in the '90s," he said, "so this ride is great for me because I can remember them in a big way."

He raised more than $6,000 from friends and supporters. "I keep going back to the well every year because they know how important it is."

E-mail Jim Doyle at jdoyle@sfchronicle.com.

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