Thank You!

Thanks again to all of you who sponsored me on AIDS/LifeCycle 8! This event was a great success that, through your generosity, raised 10.5 million for the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. You have helped change the lives of others by enabling those with HIV/AIDS to gain access to life-saving drugs and treatment and by raising awareness and knowledge about HIV/AIDS. I hope you enjoyed watching these videos as much as I enjoyed making them. It truly was a phenomenal experience that I'll never forget. THANK YOU!!

I'll be riding again next year in AIDS/LifeCycle 9!

If you'd like to sponsor me on ALC9, please visit http://www.tofighthiv.org/goto/johnriedel.

Thank you again!! See you on the road in 2010!!

John

Day 7

Day 6 - Part 2

Day 6 - Part 1

Day 5 - Dress Red Day

Day 4

Why We Ride

Day 3 - Part 2

Day 3 - Part 1

Letter from Travis

Day 2

Day 1 - The Ride

Day 1 - Opening Ceremony

Day 0 - Orientation

Pre-Ride

It's time for AIDS/LifeCycle 8!

After the event comes to an end, I'll be compiling all the pictures and videos I took throughout the ride and uploading them to this blog. So please stay tuned.

Donors

I would like to thank the following donors for supporting me in this AIDS/LifeCycle 8 charity event. I truly appreciate your generosity, especially in these difficult economic times. You're not only providing funds that allow the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center to continue their great service. But more importantly, you're giving those living with HIV/AIDS the opportunity to access those services they so desperately need. Thank you.

(in alphabetical order)

Alex Nguyen
Candida Tapia
Carrie Hickert
Chase Wirth
Dan & Bridgette Riedel
Experian
Jim Riedel
Jordan & Amy Lane
Joyce Lowe
Kevin Furlong
Melissa Hancock
Mike & Stacey Riedel
Professional Building Contractors Inc.
Rich & Laura Riedel
Richard & Judith Riedel
Seth Mason
Susan Riedel
William Campbell

Introduction

My name is John Riedel and I currently reside in Los Angeles. I recently signed-up for AIDS/LifeCycle 8, and I decided to create a blog so that I can share this experience with others.

AIDS/LifeCycle is an annual 545-mile bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Beginning in May 2009, this ride takes place over the course of seven days and increases awareness and knowledge about HIV/AIDS. It also raises money to help beneficiaries to continue to educate and provide critical services to the community.

AIDS/LifeCycle currently has two beneficiaries: San Francisco AIDS Foundation and Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center. As a resident of Los Angeles, I chose to donate the money I raise to the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center (LAGLC). LAGLC provides much needed services to those living with HIV/AIDS, including medical care, mental health services, an on-site pharmacy, HIV testing, and HIV prevention services.

I plan on posting videos of this experience. So please bookmark this page and check-back for updates. Thanks for reading!

John