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The Experience
  • The Route
    • Rest Stop Rules & Tips
    • Route Hours & Rules
  • Life in Camp
  • Orientation Day
  • Ride Out
  • The Finish Line

The Route

Life on the Route

The route will open at approximately 6:30 am each day, and you must be on the route by 8:30 am (except for Day 7, when the route opens at 6:00 am and you must be on the route by 8:00 am). The route will close at 7:00 pm each day, except for Day 5 when the route will close at 6:00 pm and Day 7, when it will close at 3:15 pm to get ready for Closing Ceremony.

Rest Stop hours will be posted each morning in Bike Parking and in that morning’s The Daily Spin newsletter at breakfast. Lunch will be open from approximately 9:00 am to 2:00 pm each day. If you arrive at a Rest Stop before its scheduled opening, services and support cannot be offered. If you arrive at a Rest Stop after its closure time, or attempt to ride past a closed Rest Stop, you will be asked to board a bus (SAG’d), and your bicycle will be transported by truck to camp. Most SAG’ing happens from not pacing yourself correctly!

The SAG’ing requirement is for your safety and the safety of everyone involved with AIDS/LifeCycle. The Roadies also have long days supporting the riders, and SAG’ing helps keep those days manageable for everyone involved. We have scheduled the route times to give you the most hours possible to ride every mile if you pace yourself.

Refusing to be SAG’d is cause for expulsion from the event.

Route Rules and Procedures

In order for us to use city, county and state roads, AIDS/LifeCycle must obtain permits from Caltrans and the local jurisdictions we travel through. The rules and regulations you will be asked to follow are part of these permits. There may be times that cyclists are held at a Rest Stop in order for safety procedures to be put into place for the wellbeing of all cyclists, roadies and motorists. We are required by law to abide by these rules and regulations. Please follow all instructions from law enforcement personnel, Roadies and staff. Failure to do so will jeopardize the event’s ability to take place in the future.

Failure to obey rules and instructions from law enforcement personnel, Roadies or staff is cause for immediate expulsion from the event.

Getting Started

  • Route will open at 6:30 am (except for Day 7, when it will open at 6:00 am)
  • THE EARLIER YOU LEAVE, THE MORE TIME YOU WILL HAVE THROUGHOUT YOUR DAY AND THE MORE LIKELY IT WILL BE THAT YOU WON’T NEED TO BE SAG’d!

Rest Stop

Rest Stops

  • If the potty lines are short, GO. You’ll save time. HYDRATE AS WELL!
  • For sanitary reasons, always allow Rest Stop Roadies to hand you fruit, bagels and all food not individually packed.
  • Make sure you stretch, drink, and eat some food at each Rest Stop, but don’t dawdle.

Life in Camp

We’ve got all the information you need to make AIDS/LifeCycle a wonderful experience. Questions about living in a mobile tent city for a week? Concerns about a week on your bike? We’ve got all the tips and tricks you need, gathered from years of experience!

We’ve got all the information you need to make AIDS/LifeCycle a wonderful experience. Questions about living in a mobile tent city for a week? Concerns about a week on your bike? We’ve got all the tips and tricks you need, gathered from years of experience!

Breakfast

Early Mornings

  • All noise(s) travel from tents (yes even the embarrassing ones and boring conversations), so be courteous to your neighbors as you get dressed.
  • Clothing 101: What should I wear to breakfast?
    • Set of warm clothes because it is cold! A warm sweatshirt and pants, socks, shoes, and a hat.
    • You should not walk around barefoot in camp.
    • The cycling or Roadie clothes you’ll wear for that day.

Breakfast

  • Get to breakfast as early as possible to avoid longer lines and get out of camp early.
  • There is an Express Line serving ONLY oatmeal and cold cereals every day.
  • Bring toothbrush, contact lenses, etc. so you don’t have to make multiple trips to the tent/shower/faucets.
  • Read The Daily Spin, the in-camp daily newsletter. Be sure to look at the route to plan your day in order to complete the whole route, and the meal menu to see if you need to get additional food before arriving into lunch or camp.

Stretching

  • Take the time to warm up and stretch.
  • Group stretching classes take place multiple times during the morning and afternoon/evening near the Sports Medicine tent.

TentsTaking Down Tent/Packing

  • As you dress for the day, gather what you will need for that day and pack everything else.
  • Take down and fold your tent. Bring it to the Gear Truck with your gear.
  • Be nice & help each other out with tents
    • Your tentmate might need to report for Roadie assignment while you are still sleeping, so you might have to do this alone.
    • If you see a neighbor packing up alone, help out. You might need help the next day!
  • Clean up the area around your tent! This makes the Pack Up Team’s job of returning the campsite cleaner than when we came that much easier.

Luggage

  • Pack light–you will have to schlep it at least twice a day, every day.
  • Make sure you have everything you need before turning in your gear to the Gear Trucks, or it will be too late.  Check for your sunglasses, lip balm, sunscreen, bike shoes/helmet/gloves, ID, money, etc.
  • All noise(s) travel from tents (yes even the embarrassing ones and boring conversations), so be courteous to your neighbors as you get dressed.
  • Clothing 101: What should I wear to breakfast?
    • Set of warm clothes because it is cold! A warm sweatshirt and pants, socks, shoes, and a hat.
    • You should not walk around barefoot in camp.
    • The cycling or Roadie clothes you’ll wear for that day.

Orientation Day

O-Day

What to bring to Orientation Day

  • Your photo ID.
  • Your bike.
  • Your smartphone to access your RSVP confirmation for the Participant Orientation Meeting (or your paper confirmation).
  • Your cash or credit card. You’ll need these if you haven’t met your fundraising minimum, or if you want to do some shopping at the Camp Store.
  • Any additional check/paper donations if you need to drop them off at Donor Services.

Do not bring to Orientation Day

  • Your gear bag. (If you are arriving directly from the airport, we will have temporary luggage storage available while you finish the Orientation Day process).
  • Helmet and water bottles (unless you’re riding your bike to Orientation Day).
  • Donation solicitation signs. Soliciting for donations on-site at Orientation Day is not allowed.
  • Pets. We love pets, however pets are not allowed at the Cow Palace.

Cyclist Fundraising Minimum

  • All Cyclists must have at least $3000 showing in their fundraising account before checking in.
  • If you have cash or a check to turn in to reach $3000, or to complete a Donation Guarantee, visit Donor Services prior to checking in.

Medical Form

  • To ensure the health and safety of all participants, everyone must submit a Medical Form prior to checking in.
  • Participants should complete the Medical Form online in the Participant Center to bypass this step on Orientation Day.
  • The online Medical Form is available from March 31 up until May 13 in your Participant Center.

Tent Assignment

  • All participants must complete the tent assignment process.
  • Tent Assignment is available in online your Participant Center from April 8 to May 13.
  • If you did not complete tent assignment online, you must go to the In-Person Tent Assignment area of Check-In with your tent mate and/or group to receive your tent assignment.
  • If you completed tent assignment online, your tent and luggage chips will be included in your Check-In packet.
  • If you do not have a tent mate, we will assign you a tent mate on Orientation Day.

Ride Out

Opening Ceremony

Arriving at the Cow Palace

  • The main gates at the Cow Palace will open to Cyclists, Roadies and guests at 4:00 AM.
  • Cyclists and Roadies should arrive by 5:00 AM. (Some Roadies may have a different meeting time and place; please confirm with your Roadie Captain).
  • The main arena will open at 5:30 AM.

Participant Drop Off and Shuttles

  • Vehicles may enter the Cow Palace gates between the hours of 4:00 AM and 6:00 AM to drop off participants
  • Spectator Parking is $10 per vehicle. No fee will be charged if you’re simply dropping someone off.
  • Participants staying at host hotels should utilize the AIDS/LifeCycle shuttles. Tickets are available through our TRAVEL PLANNER.
  • No vehicles will be able to access the main gate after 6:00 AM.

Gear Drop Off

  • Gear Drop Off will open at 4:00 AM.
  • Upon arrival, take your gear bag to your assigned Gear Truck. There will be signs and Volunteers to direct you to the correct truck.
  • All gear bags must be tagged with an AIDS/LifeCycle Gear Tag. Additional tags will be available at drop off.
  • After dropping off your gear bag, proceed to the arena for Opening Ceremony.

Breakfast

  • A light continental breakfast and Peet’s coffee will be provided outside the main arena doors before Opening Ceremony.

Opening Ceremony and Ride Out

  • The main arena doors will open at 5:30 AM.
  • Stretching on the arena floor will happen at 5:45 AM.
  • Opening Ceremony will begin at 6:00 AM.
  • Ride Out will happen immediately following Opening Ceremony at approximately 6:30 AM.

What to Bring to Opening Ceremony

  • Your gear bag. Take your gear to your assigned Gear Truck before the Opening Ceremony.
  • Your ID, cash, credit cards and medical insurance card. DO NOT pack these items in your gear bag.
  • Your helmet with your participant number affixed to the left side.
  • Full water bottles or hydration pack.

Special Accommodations

Being on AIDS/LifeCycle is a testament to what dedicated people can do over seven days to make a huge difference in the fight against AIDS. Each year there are over 300 HIV+ roadies and cyclists on AIDS/LifeCycle. We all sleep in tents, wake up, shower, eat, stretch and hop on our bikes to ride ridiculous distances up steep hills, lug gear from camp to camp, host fanciful rest stops for Cyclists, or perform a myriad of tasks to make the Ride run smoothly.

Tips & Concerns for HIV Participants on the Event

Health:

The most common problems or complications experienced on the event by HIV+ participants are diarrhea, nausea, indigestion and headaches.

  • Diarrhea: expect to get it! Many things can contribute to diarrhea during the ride: heat, stress, change in foods, etc. As all these things can add to existing GI side effects, be prepared! Take Imodium or Lamotil Lomotil with you!
  • Nausea and indigestion:
    • Taking meds with food can help reduce nausea and indigestion. Ibuprofen should ALWAYS be taken with food.
    • Tips: cool foods help calm your stomach. Hard candies sometimes help. Get out of the sun — rest as much as you can. A cool rag on your head and/or wrist can help to alleviate heat.
  • Headache: dehydration can cause headaches, so take some ibuprofen or acetaminophen with you. Stopping caffeine abruptly can cause headache, so if you drink coffee regularly, drink it on the Ride.
  • Cold sores (HSVI; herpes simplex I): The sun, stress, and exhaustion can trigger cold sore outbreaks and at times, very extensive and painful episodes.
    • If you have periodic outbreaks and are not currently on medication, talk with your doctor about whether you should be taking medication (Valtrex, valacyclovir or acyclovir) prophylactically for the event.
  • Bottom line: if you’re not feeling right, tell somebody and get help. Nothing is more important than staying well.
    • If you experience new or existing health problems that worsen, see the Medical Team before the problem becomes a significant one. In many cases, the Medical Team can make recommendations before the health problem sidelines you.
    • Medications, sun, wind, new food, poor sleep, physical, mental or emotional exhaustion, and stepping away from your normal support system are some factors that contribute to stress and can cause health complications or complicate existing ones.

Sun

  • Sun causes dehydration-drink water & electrolyte replacement fluids!
  • Antibiotics such as Septra/Bactrim, doxycycline/cipro, levaquin doxycycline, and tetracycline, cause sun sensitivities — wear high SPF sunscreen on all exposed body parts and reapply regularly.

Nutrition

  • Drink a balance of water and electrolyte replacement fluids.
  • Drink water all day and all evening long! Dehydration can continue while you sleep, so keep a full water bottle with you at night to drink.
  • Adequate fluids are especially important with Septra/Bactrim, or any other antibiotic.
  • If you take Crixivan, keep a close watch on your fluid intake to avoid problems with your kidneys (sludge or stones). You need to add an additional 1.5 liters above your replacement fluid requirement (which is already increased from exercise/exposure).

Medication

    • You’re out of your normal setting — how will you remember to take your meds? Make a plan before you leave. Discuss treatment options and tips for adherence with your medical provider and/or other Positive Pedalers.
    • Keep a list of all your medications and doses with you.
    • Talk with your physician about the ride. Do a check-in about any special needs before you leave.
    • Make sure you have your medical providers’ telephone numbers along with your health insurance information.
    • It is best not to start a new medication regimen within one month before the Ride, if it can be avoided.
    • Keep medications out of direct sunlight as much as possible.
    • Medication sets may be easier to deal with on this event than individual pill bottles. These are readily available at pharmacies or often from medical providers.
    • Antiretrovirals that need to be refrigerated will be safely stored with the Medical Team and will be available to you at the AM and PM camps, as well as at the Lunch Stop.
    • Many of the providers on the Medical Team can assist with HIV-related questions and medications. Don’t hesitate to engage the medical staff with your questions or concerns.
    • Specific Medication Tips
      • DDI/Videx and Lexivia should be taken on an empty stomach.
      • Crixivan should not be taken with a fatty meal, unless taken with Norvir
      • Saquinavir (Fortovase): Grapefruit juice increases saquinavir blood levels. Grapefruit juice should not be consumed during the event.
      • Reyataz, Aptivus, and Kaletra (all 3 in the capsule form) need to be with food.
      • Kaletra tablets should be taken with food.
      • Sustiva should be taken on an empty stomach and generally just before bedtime.
      • Videx (didanosine) should be taken on an empty stomach. Mix with water and antacid prior to taking.
      • Sustiva (efavirenz) should be taken on an empty stomach. Do not crush, cut, or chew tab
      • Intelence (etravirine) should be taken after eating
      • Prezista (darunavir) should be taken with food
Hygiene

If you have the opportunity to wash your hands, use warm water and soap and wash for 20 seconds.

Wash hands or use our two step system for hand cleaning, wipe with a moist towelette to remove grime and dirt, then sanitize with gel hand sanitizer.  Use Germ-X/alcohol rub sanitizer after using the porta potties and bathroom whenever possible — Sanitizers should be available at camp and Rest Stops.

Wash hands in camp before all meals.

FAQ

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AIDS/LifeCycle ⋅ (866) 245-3424 ⋅ info@aidslifecycle.org
Southern California Office ⋅ (323) 860-7380
Northern California Office ⋅ (415) 581-7077

AIDS/LifeCycle benefits, and is jointly produced by, San Francisco AIDS Foundation (Tax ID # 94-2927405) and Los Angeles LGBT Center (Tax ID # 95-3567895), each of which is a nonprofit, public benefit corporation recognized as tax exempt under IRS Code Section 501(c)(3). Donations to AIDS/LifeCycle are deductible for income tax purposes, to the extent permitted by law.

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