John Hauenstein's|
Thank you for Joining Me on this Journey to End the Suffering caused by AIDS From June 1-7, 2008, I rode my bike for 7 days, 545 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles as I participated in the AID/LifeCycle. This event helped to raise a record 11.6 million dollars to provide lifesaving assistance to those with HIV and AIDS. Besides having the privilege of doing something tangible to raise awareness and much needed funds, I was fortunate to share this experience with old friends Peter, David and Greg. I also met many new friends along the way. It was truly a life-changing experience for me and for all who participated either as cyclists, roadies, or staff.
During the ride, I recorded several Gabcast episodes that are posted below. These are audio messages that chronicled my thoughts and feelings during the event. Also, you can check out the "Experience the Ride" section of the site that offers podcasts .
John
Thank you to all 144 of you who have so generously donated to help far surpass all of my expectations! I am truly astounded that together we've reached over $31,000, with gifts from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, London, California, Maine, Illinois, Virginia, and Oklahoma.
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John's latest blog entry:
Thursday, May 15, 2008 
John's Goal: $30,000.00
Current Total: $31,185.00 |
Listen to John's Gabcast |
HIV/AIDS Fact of the DayProvided by AIDS/LifeCycle For every rider and roadie on AIDS/LifeCycle this year, there are 375 people living with HIV/AIDS in the U.S. |
John's BlogThursday, May 15, 20087:19 AMOur Own "Names Project"As I enter the final weeks before I begin the AIDS/LifeCycle, I would love to be able to give you a voice during my ride. Each day, I'll be taking time to remember those like my friends Tom, Susan, and Alan, who we've lost to this disease. If you would like to share those names and stories with me, I would be honored to bring them with me to California. You can do this by clicking "Send A Message of Support", above. Also, please let me know whether or not you would like this message displayed on my page. Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Sunday, May 4, 20083:46 PMMy Whistle-stop TourI wouldn't consider this weekend to be a difficult training weekend, but it was rewarding nonetheless. My only ride of the weekend was Saturday. The route was determined by the locations of supporters living in "the neighborhood" near my house in upstate New York. Although I wasn't able to see everyone, I completed a 20-mile ride with 4 stops, to catch-up, take a bathroom break, and re-fill my water bottles. I gained new appreciation for the beauty of the countryside during my ride, and for all the great friends I've gotten to know during the past 3 years that we've had a place in Kerhonkson, NY. Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Monday, April 28, 200811:31 AMMy First Metric Century (62 Miles)On Sunday, my cycle partner, David (#2511) and I completed a moderately difficult metric century ride (100 km = 62 miles). The Kiwanis Club of North Shore, Long Island has sponsored this event for 11 years to support the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Center, based at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, NY. The ride was our first organized event with rest stops every 10 miles for the first 40 miles. These breaks were extremely helpful since the first 3 hours were filled with light to moderately heavy rain. It was a beautiful ride through some very affluent suburbs of the north shore of Long Island. We both came through with flying colors and were treated to some pasta at the end.
Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Monday, April 21, 20086:37 AMMy First Back-to-Back rides!On Saturday, I took another route to Piermont and increased my distance slightly. The route had its share of good long hills but since I returned the same way, I got to enjoy the downhills too. (50 miles) Click Here to See Map of Piermont Route On Sunday, I did a "Figure 8" around the Ashokan Reservoir in the Catskills. (40 miles) Click Here to See Map of Ashokan Reservoir "Figure 8" Route Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Thursday, April 17, 20081:08 PMThe patroness of cyclists? Who knew?I received this sweet note the week from my friend and supporter Patricia.... "Hi John - I had to send this right this minute - since I've thought of it for a few weeks and could never remember to send along! Maybe the Pope being in the area sent me inspiration.... This is a link to the explanation of Madonna de Ghisallo - she is the patron saint of cyclists. I keep her in my mind when Alex is cycling, and without getting too deep on you here, I will ask her to watch over you too as you prepare for, and take, your big ride!" Madonna del Ghisallo From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Madonna del Ghisallo is a hill close to Lake Como in Italy. It is named after a legendary Marian apparition. According to the legend the Medieval count Ghisallo was being attacked by bandits when he saw an image of Virgin Mary at a shrine. He ran to it and was saved from the robbers. Madonna del Ghisallo became a patroness of local travellers. In later times Madonna del Ghisallo became part of the Giro di Lombardia. In 1949 the local priest Father Ermelindo Vigano proposed to declare Madonna del Ghisallo the patroness of cyclists. This was admitted by Pope Pius XII. Nowadays the shrine of Madonna del Ghisallo contains a small cycling museum with photos and artifacts from the sport. There also burns an eternal flame for cyclists who have died. One particularly notable artifact is the crumpled bicycle that Fabio Casartelli, a native of the region, rode on the day he died in a crash in the Tour de France. Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Sunday, April 6, 20083:33 PMBear Mountain & Seven Lakes Drive (25 miles)My Friend David and I drove up to Bear Mountain State Park on Saturday and did a great bunch of hills on a spectacular day. Click Here to View Route Map of Bear Mountain Ride
Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb 12:00 PMCentral Park to Piermont and Back (48 miles)Today I braved the cold and potential inclement weather, to go on my first official training ride with Jim Williams, the ALC's NYC Training Ride Leader. He was encouraging and knowledgeable about everything related to the ride. He was also instrumental in demonstrating all of the hand signals essential to helping others avoid hazards on the road. Thanks Jim! This was also my longest ride to date. Click Here to View Map of NYC-to-Piermont Ride
Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Sunday, March 30, 20082:46 PMMy First Catskills Ride (18 Miles)Today I did a solo ride around Ashokan Reservoir that was a bit scary because I wasn't sure about the road conditions (shoulder/no shoulder). Since these are winding country roads, I'm more cautious about this aspect of riding. The weather was so beautiful and I had the rare pleasure of seeing a bald eagle perched on top of tree overlooking the water! Click Here to View Route Map of my first Catskills ride Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Wednesday, March 26, 20081:08 PMIf not for AIDS Life/Cycle 7.......I would not be enjoying a spectacular view from the bike path on the George Washington Bridge! Today, my friend David and I took advantage of the relatively warm sunny weather here in NYC, and did our first ever ride over the bridge! It was also my longest ride to date (about 22 miles, which I know is not that long). We rode with another guy, Deiter, who has done the ALC before. He was so helpful and encouraging, giving us tips on road rules, gear-changing, eating, drinking, pain management. Thanks Deiter! Click Here to View Route Map for my first Ride over The George Washington Bridge Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Thursday, March 20, 200810:35 AMRemembering Alan...Last night I spent time going through photo albums to find a photo that my friend Alan had given to me in 1990. He did this so that I could see what he looked like before AIDS began to ravage his body. He was a handsome young man. Since he was diagnosed early in the epidemic, he was trying all kinds of experimental treatments, hoping that something could reverse or slow the course of the disease. He and his partner carried on life as normally as possible. In fact, he went back to school to get his degree in psychiatry. They also adopted a baby from Russia. These are just two examples of the way he lived his life to help and serve others. As was the rule, rather than the exception in those days, he finally succumbed to complications associated with AIDS. So although I don't have that photo I was looking for, I do have a clear memory of his wonderful, giving spirit that I will take with me on this ride. Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Monday, March 3, 20084:24 PMRemembering Angels like Susan...This journey thus far has been multifaceted for me. About a year ago, my friend Peter told me about the ride and that he was planning on doing it in 2008. Back then I thought that it would be a fun thing to do but didn't really think about making it a reality. Certainly when I signed up in December, I had only a lit bit of information but a lot of encouragement from Peter and from another friend David. So I took a leap of faith...faith that I could achieve the ultimate goal of completing the ride, but also that I could reach all of the goals leading up to June. Jumping into the fray to do this has caused me to remember so many people in my life who have touched me, either by their faith, their love of life, their desire to change lives, or simply by their presence. Some of these people I have lost touch with, others have died, while others still continue to inspire me to do better in life. Today, I think of Susan, a woman I met about 15 years ago. She had been infected with HIV by her husband, who had since died when I got to know her. I remember her intense spirit and will to live. I remember going to her apartment to help clean her aquarium because she had progressed to full-blown AIDS and was too weak to do it herself. I remember her spirit of forgiveness when she told me that despite my good intentions, her fish died because I forgot to plug in the water pump after I was finished. I recall the day I got the news that she passed away, wishing that I could have done more to help. So, when I do my fundraising, training, ultimately the ride itself, I will see her face among the many hundreds of others riding, volunteering, or cheering by the roadside. Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Saturday, February 23, 200810:54 AMFlu, flu, go away...For the past week, rather than doing core exercise, and spin classes, I have been in sick-mode at home with the flu. Today, I'm feeling a little better. The silver-lining is that I've been able to get a few thank-you notes out to those of you who have recently contributed. I'm humbled to think that I thought I would have difficulty raising the minimum amount. However, the inflowing generosity of so many people has repeatedly caused me to set my goals higher and raise as much as I possibly can in advance of the ride. Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Tuesday, February 12, 200811:27 AMReady to Ride...The decision is made. I got the Giant OCR3 today so that once the snow is gone, I'll be able to start peddling. Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Saturday, February 9, 200812:59 PMLooking for a Road Bike.....My friend David and I went to a bike shop today to get our feet wet in the search for a decent, well-priced road bike. Since we are both traditional mountain/hybrid bike owners, we know next to nothing about what's important in a road bike. If anyone has any words of wisdom, I'm all ears! I hope to make a decision in the next two weeks so that I can begin training on the same bike that I'll use for THE Ride. Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Monday, February 4, 200811:39 AMRemembering Tom...Only one week into this fundraising journey, I am humbled by the speed and generousity of support from so many people. This includes family, old friends, new friends, and individuals I don't even know who heard about the cause and wanted to help out. Years ago (1988), when I was fresh out of college and newly-arrived in New York City, I met a man named Tom Stribbling who had begun attending my church at the time. During the course of several months I had the privilege to know him. I learned that we had so much in common...how we had struggled in our lives trying to reconcile our faith with our sexuality. He was a compassionate soul who I'd hoped would be part of my life for a long time to come. However, Tom had AIDS and did not have available to him the same treatments that are saving and improving the lives of millions of people today. He had fought as hard as he could to live, and to live his life fully, but the disease took his life a few months later. I am doing this ride, hoping to honor his memory by helping the San Francisco AIDS Organization carry out its mission. Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Wednesday, January 30, 200812:05 PMTime flys!It only seemed like yesterday that I committed to doing this ride.... but already a month has gone by! I've started back to the gym (for spin classes) besides taking my regular Yoga Classes. Hopefully this work will begin to render my body suitable for riding long distances. My friend David Alport gave me a book for my birthday containing bike rides in upstate NY. Once the snow has retreated, we plan starting the training on hills in earnest. Until then, I've hooked up with a group here in NYC who is doing trainings in Central Park. Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb Tuesday, December 11, 20071:56 PMThe first day...Today marks my official entry in this year's event, one I consider a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This is not to say I won't ever do it again, but participating will be very special because I'll get to experience it with one of my best friends, Peter. I'm a little anxious about the physical aspects of the ride and the amount of training I'll need to do. Here's to taking it one day at a time. Permalink | Share this posting : Care2 News | del.icio.us | digg | NewsVine | Reddit | YahooMyWeb |
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