Robert Bylsma's
I'm Riding to End AIDSHi supporters, Well it's that time again- I am spending 6-7 days each week pedaling my way toward being ready to ride my bicycle 585 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles. My weekend rides are now up to 50 miles, traveling from Sunnyvale into the hills around Portola Valley, Los Altos and Woodside. We will increase our route each week until we reach 100 mile routes in early May, climbing up every winding road in the area! Come June 1st I'll be ready for the 7 days of riding- sleeping on the ground for 6 nights in a row will be another story! We spend each night in 2 man tents, waking at 4:45AM so that we can strike camp and be riding by 6:30. 10-12 hours of pedaling later we are in a new city, setting up our tents all over again- usually fighting strong winds that want to take the tent away before you can get in it. I wouldn't say it was fun exactly, but you sure have a feeling of accomplishment when you roll into the veteran's center in Los Angeles, surrounded by cheering crowds. Last year 2132 other riders and I raised over $11,000,000. to support the fight against AIDS! This was such an amazing number it brought tears to our eyes when they announced the total- at 5:00AM on the first day of the ride. I want to say a really big thank you to all my supporters- you helped me personally raise an incredible $3020! This year we have already registered the maximum allowed number of 2500 riders, so it to be the biggest Aids Lifecycle ride yet. With our volunteer support group there will be over 3200 of us working our way down the state to raise money and make sure people know about this growing pandemic. An important part of our mission is to increase awareness and knowledge about HIV/AIDS among participants, their donors and the general public, and to address the widespread misperception that HIV disease and AIDS are no longer a problem -- in fact more people are living with HIV & AIDS today than ever before, which means a much greater need for services. I must raise a minimum of $2,500 to earn my place beside the other riders and will need all the help I can get to reach it. I ask you again to look inside your heart and help me put an end to this illness- an illness that is spreading faster now than ever before, and striking people from ALL walks of life. Help me make this virus something that my children don't have to fear- and hopefully my grandchildren only read about in books.
|
Robert's Goal: $2,500.00
Current Total: $3,445.00 |
||||
Robert's LinksSan Francisco AIDS Foundation
L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center
Experience AIDS/LifeCycle 2007
|
|
866.245.3424 • 415.581.7077 • 323.993.7483 • info@aidslifecycle.org • Privacy policy
|