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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.

Jake's Blog

Monday, May 12, 2008

10:38 PM

Mt. Diablo and More (1st East Bay Ride)

First of all, if you haven’t contributed yet, it isn’t too late!  Please take a moment to do so now…

So, this weekend was great!  After the long back-to-back rides last weekend, I took Saturday off, but signed up for a high-intensity Sunday challenge (including a climb to the peak of Mt. Diablo)!  The ride was my longest yet at 90 miles.

While biking has been incredible, I definitely enjoyed my free Saturday – it was my friend Gina’s birthday.  We went down to the waterfront and watched the Kaboom concert and accompanying fireworks.  But, knowing I had a crack of dawn ride out of the EastBay, I called it an early night and headed to bed.

Jeff and I drove out of SF around 6:15 a.m. and headed for Orinda in the EastBay.  I was so happy to be on this ride after months of starting from San Francisco and riding over the Golden Gate.  Who knew I could grow tired of those gates?

But, this was a new ride, with a new route I had never seen before, so I was filled with energy.  Expecting the warmth and sunshine we rarely get in San Francisco, I was dressed in a light jersey with no jacket or warmers.  My mistake, it was cold, foggy and windy!  Fortunately, Moe was kind enough to lend me a vest.

We rode out from Orinda BART at 7 a.m.  This was my first ride steeped in fog.  It was not until later that I realized how much ground we covered.  From Orinda, we cruised along through Lafayette, Walnut Creek and Danville before resting at the base of Mt.Diablo.  We purchased some drinks and a snack and began our climb up Mt.Diablo.  The banter between Jeff and me kept us both going and had those around us laughing too (we do sound like an old married couple).  Because it was foggy, visibility was limited.  I’m glad, as the psychological barrier of seeing the peak soaring ahead would have made the 11 mile climb more daunting.  But, it was foggy and we cruised up the mountain in the cool morning air.  As we climbed, we eventually came above the fog line.  For the first time in my training, I was climbing very well.  I was passing others in the group with ease and feeling confidence like never before.  Climbing to the 3,849 foot summit was an amazing feat!

From the summit, you could see a view of the Bay Area surroundings, including San Francisco wrapped in fog, the SouthBay and Peninsula, cities in the surrounding valleys and the San Joaquin and Sacramento River Delta to the east.

By the time we descended, the fog had lifted.  It was an amazing 11 mile ride DOWN.  I’ve come along way in my comfort on the bike and was completely relaxed the whole way down.  It was amazing to see how far we had climbed in the fog. 

Stopping for lunch, it hit me that the ride was only half over.  For some reason, I thought the ride was to Mt.Diablo and back.  Turns out, the route included another 40 miles.  With the exhaustion starting to mount, we kicked off the last leg of our journey.  We went from Danville, through San Ramon, Dublin and Pleasanton.  This was much more urban, with far more vehicles than I had been used to in Marin.  In a way, this had to be good for my training.  From Pleasanton, we crossed over the Castro Valley grade into Castro Valley.  We had massive headwind holding us back the entire time.  It was a struggle just to get to the crest.  In fact, we had to peddle during the down hill as well!  From Castro Valley, we took Redwood Road and faced another massive climb.  With the exception of Mt.Diablo, this climb was as big as any I had done throughout my training.  From here we cruised north and towards Moraga before finally reaching our car in Orinda.

The day was the most challenging I had faced yet.  The good news is that there is nothing at all like what I did today on the actual ride.  I feel like I am definitely ready for the event on June 1.  What we did today could have been broken up into three separate challenging rides for most – but we did them all in one day.  To think, just five months ago, I couldn’t even ride 15 miles on flat ground.

Ultimately, I hope my riding makes a difference.  So, please keep contributing…

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Wednesday, May 7, 2008

9:32 PM

160 Miles / 2 Days

This weekend was a huge success.  I completed 160 miles over two days.  Both rides I’m told are equal to or more challenging than any on the actual ride.  Doing the two back-to-back was a huge confidence booster as I gear up for the event.

On Saturday we rode the same route through Marin.  When we got to Fairfax, we continued on to Olema, then headed north to Point Reyes Station.  From there, we headed east towards Nicasio, back down to Sir Francis Drake Blvd. and home to San Francisco.

I spent a lot of this day riding on my own, but talking with others along the way.  Eventually my friend Patrick and I crossed paths and rode together.  We had a great time and really got a chance to chat along the way.  He stopped with me when I needed to break.  The saddle on my bike is so small, my butt was killing me at times!

On Sunday we took the same route to Olema, but then headed south.  We hit StinsonBeach and then climbed over Muir Woods into MillValley and home to San Francisco.

Sunday was great.  I got to ride with Abigail, who I met on this ride.  Riding with Abigail was Renny and the three of us got to know each other better.  It was great riding with him too.  Actually, in Olema, we were separated from Abigail and rode the two of us until StinsonBeach where we all regrouped.  

There were some great ups and downs along this route.  I think I found one of my favorite downhills.  The road was banked so well for bikes to zip left and ride as the road meandered downward.  I also found the route I like least.  From StinsonBeach, the rode climbs for several miles along the shear cliffs of the ocean.  While the views were absolutely stunning and unlike anything I’d seen to date, I was not prepared for the plunging drop to the right of my bicycle.  I also could not believe the extremely long climb that followed as I climbed over the coast range and back into MillValley.  Oh my god, were we tired! =)

The weekend was a lot of fun.  I was able to see more of gorgeous Northern California.  I love the stunning beauty this region has to offer.  And most importantly, I had an opportunity to get to know others doing this ride and to hear their reasons for doing it.

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Wednesday, April 16, 2008

10:24 PM

Going the Distance...

 

Well, I got back to it and did some riding this weekend.  But, the rides have been killing my back.  So, before the ride on Sunday, I finally had my bike fit.  

I  had a few go-to recommendations, but several didn’t work out for whatever reason.  However, Camiel recommended Eric Pritchard <eric@pacbikes.com> at Pacific Bicycles in San Francisco.   And I am so glad I listened.  He’s been working with bikes for over a decade.  He made several adjustments by site, only to have them spot on after taking measurements.  Ultimately, I changed the handle bars (4cm to wide) and the saddle (also to wide).   We made some height adjustments to the stem and to the handle bars.  Riding home, I could tell the difference immediately – it was like riding a new bike!

Here is the new Saddle that should provide greater comfort.  I went with white to bring out the white trim in my bike.  I also had my handlebars wrapped in white.  And, I’ve special ordered new water cages from Specialized in white .  Hard to keep clean, but so much sharper than the black standard.

So, this set me up for my longest ride to date.  I rode 90 miles on Sunday!  I got up at 7:30, met Randy and Nate at Safeway/Starbucks at 8:00 and set out with the rest of the group at 8:30.  We took the normal northerly route to MarinCounty.  I had been as far as Lagunitas on a past ride, but we blew passed it on our way to Point Reyes Station.

The ride was challenging.  It was hot that day.  But, slow and steady, we kept a constant pace on our way to the coast.  Nate and I hadn’t ridden to Pt. Reyes Station before, and made the mistake of thinking it was actually on Pt. Reyes (it is not).  So, we took a slight detour that added a few miles to the trek.

On the trip, I saw beauty everywhere.  We saw a sweeping view from the bridge, an amazing bay view from Sausalito, beautiful neighborhoods like Shady Lane in Ross, a grueling climb (White’s Hill) above Fairfax, tranquil forested paths through SamuelP.TaylorState Park, and coastal grasses as we approached the ocean.  On the way back, we saw this again in reverse.  But, by the time we approach SF, we saw stunning views of fog blowing across the bridge and sweeping through coastal trees in the Presidio.

Throughout the day, we climbed hills and coasted down them.   It was great to be part of a team working towards a common goal.  When one of us needed to stop and rest, the others were there to provide support.  This was definitely the hardest I had worked all season.  It feels great to be part of a good cause!  PLEASE KEEP DONATING...

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Monday, April 7, 2008

7:07 PM

Shocker!!!

Sadly, I didn't get a ride in this weekend.  I was really looking forward to my first ride outside of Marin County (as beautiful as it is, it is becoming quite familiar).  The missed ride was 78 miles in the East Bay. 

I stayed over at Jeff's house so that we could get an early start.  But, when he went out to his patio to collect his bike, that morning, it was gone!  Jeff lives on the fourth floor of a residential high rise in Cathedral Hill.  Typically, his patio would be unaccessable to anyone.  But, what we didn't realize, was that a neighboring building under construction had scaffolding that rose all the way up to his floor.  Knowing that some reject likely scurried across his patio while we were sleeping is rather unsettling.  But, the worst thing is that the bike had been custom built for him.  Now he'll have to get it replaced. =(

Fortunately, that morning a friend of his volunteered a great bike to Jeff for the next couple months - so at least he'll have something to ride.  So, we spent Sunday collecting the bike, shopping at Mike's Bikes for supplies and recovering from the shock.  Considering all the work Jeff has put into training for this great cause, I'm just disgusted that someone would come along and snatch his bike.  I'm proud of Jeffrey for how he handled the situation.  I just don't think I would have responded so gracefully.  That's what makes Jeff a role model.

So, while I didn't get any riding in, I did get a better understanding of how cautious I must be with my bike.  I've spent a lot of money on that bike and gear for this event.  This is a very important cause and I very much want to contribute to it.  I'm proud to be riding with people like Jeffrey in June.  People like him make a difference.

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Friday, April 4, 2008

5:04 PM

Doubleheader

Almost two months have passed since my last blog!  The good news is that I've been training fairly regularly.  While my initial rides covered almost 30 miles, my longest ride to date approached 70.  And most importantly, While I was in New York two weeks ago and couldn't ride, I made up for it with my first back-to-back ride this past weekend.  Over the past two months, I have covered a lot of the North Bay area with rides through Sausalito, Mill Valley, Tiburon, Fairfax, and as far as Lagunitas to date.

The good news is, I had a great time over the weekend.  I decided to do back-to-back rides with Jeffrey this weekend.  The idea is to start improving my endurance in addition to my ability to go further and further with each subsequent weekend.  After all, I have a week of non-stop riding ahead of me in June (roughly 90 miles each day - totaling 565).  So, I did two rides this weekend which totaled just over 100 miles. 

SATURDAY

On Saturday, I rode to Fairfax and back.  But, unlike my earlier rides that went across the Golden Gate and down to Sausalito, this ride added a trip up the Marin Headlands that morning.  I had no idea there was such elevation there!  Climbing the Headlands, you are actually higher up than the two towers of the Golden Gate.  This was definitley one of the more grueling climbs I have done to date.  It was beautiful though.  There were wildflowers everywhere, a iconic bridge to my left with a gleaming ocean below.  I realize that I am very lucky to live in San Francisco.  We have a much better topography to train in than our fellow riders in Los Angeles.  We have challenging hills, beautiful vistas and the friendliest of riders!  Getting to Fairfax was nice too.  Jeffrey and I had lunch with many other riders.  It was a great opportunity to socialize and meet others on the ride.  I also learned that I do not need a full sandwich from the deli at Perry's in Fairfax - they're filling!!!

SUNDAY

On Sunday Jeff and I rode together again.  We started from his house in Cathedral Hill and rode to Golden Gate Park for the start of a training ride.  This training ride was part of the schedule Lifecycle Expo event on Sunday.  There were over 200 riders signed up for this ride!  The ride start was interesting.  There were a lot of bikes trying to funnel out of one small area onto the park streets.  I can only imagine what it must be like to start a ride with 2,000 riders.  The ride left GGP and followed the normal course of a Tiburon Loop (which I have come to know quite well).  The ride was nice, though I have to give Jeff a hard time due to a miscommunication (we got separated - he kept going, but I waited for him at Mike's Bikes).  Once I got back to GGP, I was irritable and ready for a nap.  Jeff was great, he handled me well. =)  After perusing the booths at the expo, and failing to win the raffle drawing for new bikes, we claimed our own bikes from the bike valet (yes, bike valet), and headed home.

Since the weekend, my upper back has been killing me.  The two days of riding was definitely a challenge.  I realize now that I need to make a bike fitting a priority.  A bike fit is done to measure me and the bike, make neccessary adjustments and provide a safer, more enjoyable experience.  Regardless of the discomfort, I'm really looking forward to getting on the bike next week and tacking on some longer rides.  I'm definitely starting to get a little nervous as June is rapidly approaching!  As Jeff said on his blog,hopefully we'll break last year's fundraising total of $11 million. Particularly in light of the State's likely budget cuts this year, the SFAF will need all the help we can provide...  With that said, please keep contributiing.

 

 

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Wednesday, February 13, 2008

10:41 PM

Collecting Miles

Two weeks have passed since I purchased my bike.  I can't believe it!  Subsequently, I have kept busy and have quite the training regimen down: 

Monday – weights with a trainer;
Wednesday – spin class;
Friday – more weights with a trainer;
Saturday – bike training ride.

I have been doing the weights and the spin class for almost two months now.  And, since purchasing the bike, I have now completed a bike training ride each of the past two Saturdays.

RIDE 1
Getting up at 7 a.m. for my first training ride was not easy.  It wasn't that long ago that I was waking up at 2 p.m. on Saturdays (obviously much later than 7 a.m.).  But, I managed and it got easier.  The first ride was certainly challenging.  The weather was terrible!  It rained and rained and rained!  But, the AIDS ride is rapidly approaching and I haven't started my bike training – so I knew I had to go.

Whereas some drove to the ride starting point in the Presidio, I had no choice but to bike there.  As this was really my first time riding the bike, I was slightly overwhelmed.  Climbing hills and figuring out gears is challenging when you're riding solo!  I stopped a couple times along the way just to play with my bike and figure things out.  I'm grateful that few cars are on the road during the early hours of the weekend.

I got to the training ride starting point (Sports Basement in the Presidio) from my home in the Castro, I was elated to have made it alone.  Riding that bike cleated into the pedals the whole way was an accomplishment.  At that point, I had not yet fallen.  From there, we received the route map (there were about 15 of us) and took off…  The course took us through the Presidio, down through Sea Cliff and along the Great Highway and to Lake Merced.  At Lake Merced, the skies dropped rain like never before.  I was soaked!  One rider stopped and waited for a bus ride home.  It was at this point my bike slipped and I fell for the first time.  I wasn't able to cleat out quick enough and got a little scraped up – but was okay.  Getting back on my bike, we wrapped around Lake Merced, followed the Great Highway again, went through Golden Gate Park, and climbed Arguello to get back to the starting point.  At the time, climbing Arguello without falling over was a big deal!  I was also happy to have completed about 30 miles without riding shorts or basic bike equipment.  I wore a heavy backback (never again).

RIDE 2
This ride could not have been any more different from the first one (though I still got up at the crack of dawn).  The weather was amazing!   At 7 a.m. it was already warm with sunny blue sky.  About a block from my house, I learned a valuable lesson – avoid railroad tracks!  I didn't cross at a sharp enough angle and my bike got sucked into the groove between the track and the pavement.  I ate it and my whole left side was scraped.  Lesson learned.  And, as much as I wanted to go home, medicate and go back to bed, I got back on the bike and headed for the starting point in Golden Gate Park.

At McLaren Lodge, about 40 of us gathered under sunny skies for a ride to Mill Valley and back.  I was much more prepared this time.  I had the proper attire (good riding shorts and a jersey).  This ride was not at all like the prior week.  I love every minute of it.  The ride flowed through the park and up Arguello and through the Presidio.  There, we turned towards the Golden Gate Bridge, down to Sausalito, along the bike path and up Miller Avenue to Mill Valley.  From there we turned back and returned home.  I was much more at ease on the bike and tried to focus on feeling the gears, shifting, proper peddling, posture, etc.

Also, this was my first time crossing the bridge on a bike and it is a moment I will never forget.  People from around the world look at postcards of the bridge, but on this day, I was living it.  At that moment, I realized how blessed I am to be in San Francisco.  It was a great reminder of why I am doing this ride; that I am incredibly fortunate to be in a position to do so.  I am lucky that I can train in one of the most beautiful locations in the country while getting in shape and working for a very important cause.  I've never felt better about what I am doing…

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Sunday, January 27, 2008

11:11 PM

Bike Action II

So, I did it!  I bought a bike today.  I really only meant to consider options... But, with the clock ticking down and the time running out before the ride (June 1), I knew I had to make a decision soon.

So, Nate and I got our start at noon today.  We met up and went to Valencia Cyclery (on Valencia between 21st and 22nd Streets).  While their selection wasn't huge, it certainly had options that were ideal for the ride I'm planning to undertake.  Most of the bikes were EXPENSIVE. 

I test rode a 2007 model Specialized Roubaix Elite and it was great.  The floor model was in silver and black (it was not nice to look at).  I saw from the tag that it also came in a blue tint.  Turns out, they had the blue model in stock and in my size.  Not only that, it was still in its own box and hadn't been opened yet.  When JP (the guy at Valencia) showed me the frame, I was in love.  The color is gorgeous!  The blue shines in the light, the branding is metallic and the carbon ribbons glow.

The bike's suggested retail price was $1,900, but I got it for $1,500 - YEA!!!  So, though I already spent more than I intended to, I'm very happy with the choice. 

I didn't see the bike shoes I wanted at Valencia (everything they had was in black), so I checked out Sports Basement and Mike's Bikes.  There were no shoe options at Sports Basement.  At Mike's Bikes I found exactly what I was looking for.  Of course, it also happens to be the most expensive shoe sold by Specialized - damn.  With my 15% discount, I got the shoe for $250.  The S-Works road shoe is the lightest one they have on the market and it is amazing!  YEA!!!

And I'm hoping to god that this next weekend is sunny - because I am going riding!


My bike:
http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/2007/bikes/RB_Elite_Tpl_Blue_Tint%20Wht.jpg
My shoes:
http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/equip/08ShSWRoadWhtGrp_UK_l.jpg

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10:45 AM

Bike Action I

Today is the day!  I am headed out shortly with a couple of friends to buy a new bike for the Lifecycle/AIDS Ride.  If I don't buy one today, I hope to have one by the end of this week.  Thank god for friends who know about bikes.

I'm planning a tour curcuit of several bike shops in San Francisco.  With any luck, one of them will have a bike priced appropriately that speaks to me in terms of functionality and asthetics.  No Nate, I don't want a pink bike.

To date, I've been restricted to Spin class at the gym.  While I've enjoyed Spin class, I'm eager to add training on a real bike to the mix.  With any luck, I'll be cruising around on a bike next weekend.  I'm eager to get my training underway!

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Wednesday, December 19, 2007

9:34 PM

Getting Started...

Starting anything is always hard to do. A blog seems even harder...

You're here, so you must know that I've made the decision to participate in AIDS/LifeCycle 7. My intent is to periodically provide blog updates as the big week approaches (June 1 - 7).

So, I first made the decision to participate in AIDS/LifeCycle 7 just three weeks ago... I happened to be dog-sitting for a friend and watching the LOGO channel when a documentary series covering AIDS/LifeCycle 4 came on. Coincidentally, this was World AIDS Day.

The show consisted of roughly 6 half hour episodes and had me on the couch the whole time. Each episode followed several individuals experiencing the ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles. I don't think I need to relay their experiences for you. Needless to say, watching them made me determined to participate, and have my own life changing experience.

Every year I plan a vacation to some exotic locale. But, rather than a trip, I've decided to make 2008 about others. Instead of holiday in Argentina and Chile, I have decided to buy a bike, raise funds, do conditioning and endurance training and journey from SF to LA over seven days. This year, I am excited to help by raising funds for programs supporting those with HIV/ AIDS.

I look forward to your support...

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