Zack Kreiter's
AIDS/LifeCycle Homepage

Zack's Links

San Francisco AIDS Foundation
Committed to ending the pandemic and human suffering caused by HIV, the San Francisco AIDS Foundation develops innovative solutions, combining scientific evidence with community experience to fight HIV/AIDS and promote health. Established in 1982, the Foundation provides direct services to thousands of people living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS and supplies information to thousands more about HIV prevention and treatment through programs that include the California AIDS Hotline (800-367-AIDS). The Foundation promotes HIV awareness in the community and advocates for sound HIV/AIDS policies at all levels of government.

L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center
The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, a leader in battling AIDS and caring for those who are HIV-infected since the earliest days of the pandemic, provides free medical care to those who can't afford treatment and distributed more than $21 million worth of free HIV medications last year. The Center also provides one-on-one and group therapy, mobile testing/counseling, education, advocacy, and prevention services. Each month 700-1,000 people are tested for HIV at the Center.

Experience AIDS/LifeCycle 2007
Get a taste of last year's event, with participant blogs, audio podcasts, and hundreds of photos.

Zack's Blog

Saturday, June 7, 2008

7:05 PM

6-7-08 Day 7 of Aids Bike Ride

Notes are sketchy till Zack has a chance to rest!

Total miles for the day 62 miles

Zack rode 60 miles!

I asked him what the high was from the whole week & he answered the natural beauty of California.

I asked him the low of the week & he answered the pain. Yet as he experienced the pain he thought of the individuals that had lost their life to Aids and what they must have gone through and that helped him pedal on & continue with his ride. As his journey comes to an end today I must say that each and everyone of the riders helped to raise that 11.6 million dollars and yet they each come away from this journey with priceless memories of what they all shared throughout this experience!

Zack's total miles if I calculated it right is 439.2 miles out of 537 miles. Way to go Zack!!! Excellent job Son!!

Love, Mom

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3:54 AM

6-6-08 Day 6 of Aids Bike Ride

Sorry folks no update as of yet for yesterday!!!!

Ok new update but it's sketchy till Zack gets a chance to rest!

Friday total of 85 miles & Zack rode 78 of them.

Zack was talking with a few girls and one of them said her life had changed so much from the ride that she wanted to shave her head and have a new beginning.  Zack & the other girl's helped her but the razor she had didn't work so they just cut it really short.

A total of 3000 people formed a circle with a lighted candle and observed silence for 10 minutes then without prompting they started moving towards the water where they all snuffed the candles out to represent the unused candles as a life taken too soon from aids.

The hilight of today was that they stayed in a camp that had a regular restroom and Zack enjoyed *flushing* the toilet twice!!

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Thursday, June 5, 2008

4:39 PM

6-5-08 Day 5 Aids Bike Ride

Destination for today was Lompoc from Santa Maria a total of 42 miles

Zack rode 40 miles and had a misfiring muscle in his calf.

They started out with it being chilly & warm at the same time then it warmed up.

They say this year has been the worst yet for winds. Lots of winds today and 10 hills.

Everybody got sunburned lips which they put zinc oxide on to help.

Supper last night was chicken and steak burritos, vegetables and pecan pie.

Breakfast was eggs and french toast

Lunch was tritip steak sandwich.

Zack will be going into town this evening for dinner and a movie and the movie is *Sex in the city*

*Are we there yet*  I couldn't resist lol

Love, Mom

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1:27 AM

6-4-08 Day 4 Aids Bike Ride

Total miles today was 97 miles

Zack completed 91 miles!

The winds were 22 mph and the weather was hot & cold.

Breakfast was eggs & sausage.

Lunch was turkey sandwich and pasta salad.

At lunch time they were in Pismo Beach and 64% done at that time.

Tomorrow is dress RED day.

They climbed 1300 ft in 3 miles and descended 1700 ft in 12 miles.

Zack's knee hurt for the majority of the ride. Chiropractor worked on his knee and his vertabra was out of line.

Another day of priceless memories for Zack! Way to go Son!!

Love, Mom

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Tuesday, June 3, 2008

5:48 PM

6-3-08 Day 3 of Aids Bike Ride

Final Destination today is San Robles.

Up at 5:00 am

Breakfast was eggs, sausage and blueberry pancakes.

Zack stopped at the chiropractor before starting out and they worked the soft muslces on his left leg, and then wrapped his left knee. He then did stretching and was on the road by 7:40 am.

He rode for 7.2 miles and had the sweep pick him up then he decided to sag because of the pain he was experiencing from his left knee.

From there they went to Pit#2 and picked up other people who were going to sag.

For lunch they were in a town called Bradley and the town each year to fund their school for the year puts on a BBQ for the bikers. The state doesn't fund the school because they think it's too small, therefore it's considered a fundraiser. So while they stayed on the bus lunch was picked up and passed out to those on the bus. Zack had a turkey sandwich.

They were then taken to camp where Zack set up his tent and showered and went back to the chiropractor where he got a lower back and left knee adjustment. He took a break to call me and catch me up to speed and then he went to get a massage on the right leg so that it won't start hurting. Zack had chicken and rice along with green beans for dinner. He will check with chiroprator in the am to see what they recommend for the day.

Stay tuned :-)

66 was the total miles of the day.

Zack wants YOU all to know that he just signed up for next year's Ride and the minimum to join is $3000.! He would appreciate your support and more info on it in August. Start saving now everyone ;-)  !!!!  Way to go Zack!!

Love, Mom

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Monday, June 2, 2008

6:52 PM

6-2-08 Day Two Aids Bike Ride

Final Destination for today is King City. Which was a 105 mile trip. Zack made it to the 83 miles and then got a ride in the sweep vehicle that took him to Pit Stop # 4 where he chose to ride into camp on the SAG Bus.
His knee was hurting him the majority of the day and he did go to medical in the am but they said they wouldn't have anyone from sports meds till

noon. At noon he did go back but was very limited with the time he had for them to diagnose the problem. The 4 muscles under the kneecap are

tight. He took an ibuprofen at breakfast and then one around 5:00 pm. Zack said that 250 people were sagged before noon. He said they had to

fight the winds all day. He said that he had to push himself all day and that he was wanting to make it to *Skinny Dip Bridge* but when he found he

had 10 more miles to go his knee said NO-WAY! They were up at 5:00 am and on the bikes by 7:30 am. It took them 2 hours to get out of Santa Cruz.
He said he is getting known for the person that says *On the right*. When a biker is coming up from behind and passing they will say *On your left*

and Zak made me laugh when he said I hardly ever get to pass anyone so in order for me to get to say anything I tell them as they pass *On your

right* I see that on the second day of his Aids Bike Ride he has not lost his sense of humor!!! To catch you all up on the menu:

Dinner last night: Chicken, meatball pasta, vegetables, and cheesecake and Zack wants all to know that he went up for seconds!

Breakfast: Breakfast burrito & sausage.

Lunch: Chicken caibatti and cookies.

Dinner: Chicken, steak, and porkloin and when I asked which one are you having his reply was all 3!! I was laughing and said you know you could

 gain weight just as the girls riding in the SAG Bus told him the same thing !! Oh and I almost forgot he said apple pie too!

For day 2 on the Aids Bike Ride Zack may have not made the entire 105 miles physically due to knee pain but he was sure there in spirit for the entire ride! Way to go Son Good job!!

Love,
Mom

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Sunday, June 1, 2008

7:20 PM

6-1-08 First Day

Hi Everyone!

I am Zack's mom and I agreed to blog for him so that everyone can be updated on his Aids Bike Ride Journey. Before I begin I want to thank everyone that has supported him in this endeavor! My husband and I are so proud of him for his dedication and passion in this cause. He has truly given from his heart and I want to take this time to say although it's just the first day of his Aids Bike Ride Journey, Son....a job well done!

Zack called at 4:23 (Ohio time) for his first update. They had just stopped at 1:00pm (pacific time) for lunch. They were half way into their ride for the day which was 40 miles with 40 more to go. He said there was lots of wind and freezing cold and at this time his knee was hurting. He had taken three ibuprofen for this. The ride was mostly hills and was looking forward to the other half of ride for the day because he said it would be mostly flat ground. His day started out as follows:

4:00 am Alarm

4:30 am on the road

5:00am cow palace (bike arena)

5-6 am Met up with other bear team members

6:00 am stretching & introduction. They were all told then that they had raised 11.6 MILLION Dollars!!!!!! At this time they had a Riderless bike in motion in memory of those who have passed on from Aids.

6:30 am Was the ride off. Zack said this was a site to see! He described it as a CF. (He said to ask him)

They  walked their bikes for the first 1/2 mile while people lined the path applauding!!! They mounted their bikes and they were off while people were still lining the path!They will stop for the night in Santa Cruz. 

They arrived at Santa Cruz and Zack phoned me at 6:39pm (ohio time) with latest update. He sounded much better at this time then he did at lunch when his knee was hurting and he said the ibuprofen did help.

He had turkey sandwich along with a pasta salad and oatmeal raisin cookies with water to drink. Right after lunch they had a huge hill but once they were on it turned out to not be so bad. He did have a massive hill to contend with later on which they crosstrained on. He explained to me that crosstrain means where you walk the bike for part of the hill. He said there were rolling hills for the most part and then flat land then a big hill right as they were coming into camp.

Zack stopped at rest stop#4 which was five miles out of Santa Cruz to get his bike adjusted for gears slipping and also his five week old bike needed brake adjustments because the cables stretched.

Along the way Zack met two girls who's names were Ellisa and Mellisa. They both had leg cramps and he offered them raisins letting them know that they work better than banana's for potassium levels. Later he was talking with Mellisa and her reason for riding was because she had a sister who died from Aids but before she passed on she gave birth to a son who was born with full blown Aids. Zack felt a need to have me put this in his blog to show the progress they have made with Aids because her son just graduated from high school!

While he was talking to me he was in line for a shower and he said they had six semi trailor's with showers in them. After his shower he was heading to eat dinner. He then gave me a url to go to: sfgate.com , he said his picture should be there!

Sounds like a beginning of priceless memories for Zack! Way to go son!

Love, Mom

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Saturday, April 12, 2008

11:08 PM

Angel Island

04/12/08

Angel Island

I met up this morning with a co-worker from my previous job and 3 of his friends to take a journey to Angel Island in the San Francisco Bay.  I met Aaron at the Embarcadero at 9:00 AM and waited for his friends until 9:30.  We discovered they went straight to Pier 39 and were waiting for us there.

Upon arrival at Pier 39, we bought our tickets ($14.50 RT), and I set out to get breakfast.  The first coffee house I went to ended up only taking cash, so I left my selected products at the counter and went next door to Soudin Sourdough Bakery.  I ordered and paid for my breakfast, and the cashier did not give me a receipt, so I asked (based on their signage and policy) if my breakfast was free today, and the manager came over and refunded my breakfast.  What a way to start the morning!

The weather was very nice out today!  The ferry ride over to the island was just beautiful.  The amount of sailboats out on the bay this morning and afternoon was just amazing.  I saw some schooners out as well. The wind was just slightly blowing and disappeared as the day developed.

We started out the ride by taking this bike trail up to the main perimeter road.  This was a different feeling on my new bike, as the tires are thinner and the bike is much lighter.  When I pulled on the handlebars I nearly popped a wheelie just trying to go up the hill.  Once to the perimeter road we all decided to go counter-clockwise around the island.

Wow, started out with a hill right away again!  Learning the gears on my new bike already (27 gears).  The five-mile perimeter road was up and down the whole way around.  About half way through the ride, we found a shady area for Gabbe and her three and a half month old.  Aaron, Dan, and I continued on after a short break, leaving Kevin with Gabbe and Ivan, to explore the inner perimeter road up above.  The initial path to get to the inner road was about a 25% grade in which Dan was able to successfully navigate, but Aaron and I walked. 

After arriving at the inner perimeter road, it was a hard packed dirt road with some places with loose gravel.  Adjusting to this ride was a bit interesting as well, since I had to learn how the bike handled on this surface compared to a paved road.  Again this road had some rolling hills just like the outer road did, but the route was much smaller.  We covered the inner road in about 30 minutes with the later part being a nice downward sloping drop.  Coming down the path to get back to the outer road, I thought I was going to dump my bike because it was skidding out behind me even though I was feathering the brakes.  Then I saw a path, which went up towards the outer road versus the down slope, so I took that to recover from falling, which worked.

Once back on the outer road, we met back up with the others and continued our way around the island.  As we came near the old military encampment on the island, we detoured and went exploring the old buildings.  Down the hill, we had an excellent view of San Francisco and the bridges of the bay.  The trek up the hill back to the perimeter road was a workout in its own glory, but I made it in Granny gear.

Finally making it back to where we started we had an hour to rest and enjoy the scenery while we waited for the ferry.  I enjoyed a sandwich or two and an ice cream while waiting.  Of course I enjoyed the scenery, and I especially enjoyed some eye candy while waiting as well (He was in a Red Sox cap).

The trip back on the ferry was a bit different than the ride to the island.  First we went to Turbin to pick up passengers there, and OMG the amount of bikes boarding the ferry was outrageous (about 60).  From there we went on to Pier 39 in San Francisco.  On this part of the journey I took a power nap, wakening suddenly when a passenger through bottles into the trash can next to me.

I would totally do this trip again.  It was an amazingly beautiful day with exercise and great company.  The total mileage for the day from BART to BART was 14.15 miles.

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Monday, April 7, 2008

7:00 PM

First Century (metric)

04/07/08
I have completed my first Century (metric) ride, for those out there who do not want to do the conversion that is 63 miles. 

OMG!  I did it! :

I woke up at 5:30 AM on Saturday morning the 5th of April, in order to get prepared and get my ass to Palo Alto, our starting point, from Oakland.  The meeting time was at 7:00 AM, and because I hit the snooze button way too many times I was running late.  Luckily traffic was light due to it being the weekend, and I arrived a few minutes past the hour.  We were scheduled to ride off at half past the hour, so I had plenty of time to stretch and meet my fellow riders for the day.  I was able to meet a few of the other riders from Team Bear.

During the safety meeting we were introduced to the Ride Leaders and the Sweep.  (The sweep is the person rides last on the ride, and helps fellow bikers to keep the minimum pace or to assist with anyone having emergency or mechanical failures.)  We were instructed to follow all road rules as if you were a car, as all rules apply per state law.  This included hand signals to signify what your intent of motion is on the bike.  During the meeting we discussed the route, and were asked to pay attention to all the route changes while we were in the city.  Then, just as the safety meeting was ending the final Team Leader arrived, and we had our full complement of assistance.  In total we had about 30 people riding.

So the ride started out, and I followed a group of individuals who seemed to be at my pace.  A few blocks into the ride someone forgot their helmet, but no one noticed because he had a bandanna on.  So he turned around to go get his helmet.  We continued as a group, because the two ladies we were with had to go to the restroom.  Our first stop was a starbucks so riders could get a quick bathroom stop, thus we chugged along.  All of a sudden the SAG pulls up and tells us we made a wrong turn.  After getting turned around and back on the correct route, we were now about one mile behind.

I decided to continue the route when we got to starbucks with another group who was just departing, as I did not have to go, and I did not want to get lost again.  This time when we thought we were approaching the 15 mile mark we stopped at the next starbucks where I purchased my muffin, yogurt, and OJ.  I then was made aware this is the wrong starbucks, we are supposed to stop at the one on the other side of the bridge, as this is the stop when returning this afternoon.  Needless to say a scarf down the muffin and finish of the OJ, but carried the yogurt parfait with me in the bag around my handle bars.  How annoying this became especially during the canyon portion of the ride.

The Dunbartin Bridge was the first incline of the day, which was supposed to be pretty much a flat route.  The bridge was not that difficult to manage, as the winds were not kicking up at this hour in the morning.  I did enjoy the downhill portion of the bridge.  During the next portion of the ride we had about three more bridges but not as significant as the one we just went over.  At about 11:30 AM we came up onto the last six miles of the first half of the ride, and this was the canyon into Sunol.  During this next six miles the shoulder disappears a few times as well as the road narrowing.  In addition, the elevation rises ever so slightly throughout the canyon.  No major issues were encountered, the ride leader reminding is to call out “Car Back”, “Car Right”, “Grate”, “Glass”, and any other safety hazards for other riders to be aware.  Half way through the canyon, we start to see the first riders start to return and we all wave.  Finally reaching Sunol, it is not yet time for lunch as the town really does not have a selection, but a 15 minute break is enjoyed, while I finally eat the yogurt parfait from earlier.  It was much needed!

The return down the canyon actually was not as exciting as I thought it would be, and I actually no hate headwinds.  Even though the decent through the canyon was quicker than going up, we had headwinds the whole way down, and did not enjoy the free fall motion, but had to work by pedaling to get through the canyon.  Upon reaching the end of the canyon in Niles, it was time for lunch.  I ordered a chicken wrap, as I was feeling the need for protein.  It was not very big, but then again I also did not want to fill up with a full stomach as we were only a little over a half finished with the route.  I was there at the lunch stop for about 40 minutes.
I finally got back onto the route, only after finding out the sweep, Diana, was pulled off the route due to some issues, and the sweep was now the Ride Leader I have been riding with.  Great I am at the end of the group!  As we get started back on the route, the winds have kicked up, and my butt was starting to feel the result of being in one place all day.  Also, just before we get to the main bridge I started to feel a cramp come in my right calf.  I stopped and pulled over to see if I could walk it off, and Kerwin, the Ride Leader gives me some raisins and a fun size Snicker bar, which come to find out the raisins have more potassium than bananas and the Snickers help with the protein and fat needed my body was demanding.  As we get back onto the trail, Kerwin also helps me understand the different gears I am using and when to use them, as I stated I was not sure when exactly I should be using which one at any particular time.

The idea behind the gears is to have the bike work for you not the other way around.  By this time in the ride I am getting tired, and have the Dunbarton Bridge to still cross, but knowing how to use the gears really helped in navigating the bridge.  The bridge was much harder this time because the headwinds really have kicked up.  As I reached the summit of the bridge and prepared to take the free fall down the other side, I was so disappointed to find out I was not to receive the satisfaction of the downhill.  The headwinds were so strong; I actually had to pedal in order to keep the bike in motion.  Finally reaching the end, there was Starbucks, a break point in the ride.  Upon riding into Starbucks, Kerwin and I were received with clapping from a few of the remaining riders. Three quarters of the way finished!
After a short break Joseph, Kerwin, and I take off to finish out the route.  Initially Joseph and I are riding together, and then when he sees Kerwin catching up, he goes on ahead.  The route back to the start point was slightly different, and was designed to get the mileage, so we could hit our 100 km mark.  As I pull into the Palo Alto Gunn High School parking lot, I was greeted with a warm welcome from the sweep, SAG, and Joseph who was taking my photo as I completed the ride.
I was so tired, but felt really good about finishing my first 100 km.  Yes, I know it’s only 63 miles, but still it is an accomplishment within itself.  Now for next weekend with 83 miles!  Whoo Hoo!
 

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Saturday, February 2, 2008

8:00 PM

SAVE THE DATE: Bottoms Up @ The Big Top, March 2, 2008

Event:
B-Unit Presents: Bottoms Up @ The Big Top
A Benefit for the AIDS Lifecycle

House DJ Party featuring:
Funky Bear
Papa Tony
Dann Edmond
Agent Adam

website: http://www.bottomsupatthebigtop.org

Date/Time: 03/02/08 4pm - 2AM

Where:
Bench and Bar
2111 Franklin St
Oakland, CA 94612

BART: 19th St Station, walk 2 blocks

WHY:
This event is to help raise funds for the AIDS Lifecycle for Rider 1252
(Zack Kreiter). Zack’s goal is to raise $3500.

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Tuesday, October 23, 2007

4:08 PM

Entertainment Books

Good Afternoon ALL!

I have teamed up with Entertainment.com and I am selling these FANTASTIC Coupon books to help raise funds for the AIDS Life Cycle. You can purchase the San Francisco Bay Area one from me directly at the reduced rate of $25, or you can order it online or any other area online for a reduced fee off their normal selling price. Here is the link: Entertainment Books and AIDS Lifecycle 1252

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Tuesday, August 7, 2007

3:17 PM

ALC 2008 Kick-off

I registered for the ALC 2008 ride at the SF Pride Parade. A really good friend of mine, Steve Demeter, participated in the 2007 Ride. I met him in LA as he arrived. Over the next 30 days, I decided I wanted to help with the efforts. Recently, I have had several friends infected with HIV. I want to help put a stop to this disease, and this is how I want to help make a difference.

Yesterday, 08/06/07, I received my information on fund raising and how to create my site here on ALC. I kicked off a few emails to my family, and today to my friends. My cousin from Ohio broke the donation cherry.

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