It is the day after I've completed the California AIDS Ride 3, I'm back in Los Angeles, and I feel kind of like a wild animal who has been allowed to roam free for a week and then has to return to captivity. I bicycled over 525 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles, a seven day journey. I feel elated, exhausted, and a bit sad it's over, but mission accomplished. And collectively 2,275 of us riders raised $8 million dollars to help people with HIV and/or AIDS.

To be on the road for seven straight days, cycling on average 80 miles a day is an extraordinary adventure, especially through such beautiful country. Here are notes from my journal.

Day One, Sunday June 2nd: I ride 92.5 miles from Fort Mason in San Francisco to Santa Cruz which consists of many hills. But the reward of seeing such places as Pidgeon Point Lighthouse on the ocean and other coastal wonders keeps me pedaling, not to mention the encouragement of fellow riders. "Go, girl! Lookin' Good!" I am a Safety Monitor as well, so people seem to be sure to say the obligatory "on your left" when they pass by me. With this many riders SAFETY cannot be emphasized or practiced enough. Even though I receive some teasing- "Oh-oh it's 'Safety Chick' ahead- better be nice" It's all in good fun. And if my helmet with the letters SAFETY on the side helped us all be more aware then it worked.

Day Two, Monday June 3rd:(89.3 miles) brought us through farm country, lots of fields of artichokes and broccoli (my favorite vegetables). Mile after mile all I hear is the wind in the trees. Near the end of the day a little girl stood out by the road. She held up her hand for me to high five. We safely clapped hands as I rode by. All along the route all kinds of people would be by the road to cheer us on. And we have all kinds of riders and crew volunteers as well. Two of the riders are men in drag dressed as nuns: Sister Phyllis Stein and Sister Shock-it-to-me. I arrive in the tiny town of Greenfield (the Broccoli Capitol!) for our campsite. My family greets me there. I give them a tour. My parents are proud of me and are impressed by the size of the operation and it's organization. My sister's birthday is tomorrow and I dedicate that day's ride to her. She brought her lovable chocolate Labrador dog "Amy" to visit as well. It seems everyone stops to pet her. She is one popular dog and brings smiles to the campground. These first two days were both long ones. If I can manage these two, then I feel certain I can handle the next five.

Day Three, Tuesday June 4th: (76.5 miles) We are warned to drink water, water, water (and gatorade to balance the electrolytes). Hydrate! It is going to be a hot day. And indeed, a record was broken: 107 degrees. In addition there's a huge hill, but before that are golden wheat fields-"amber waves of grain." By the end of this day, I feel lucky. I am not suffering from heat exhaustion like some of my fellow riders. But I do have some numbness in my ring finger and hands. I realize I need to relax my Rdeath gripS on my handle-bars. I'm lucky and can sign up for a massage appointment. Yes, there are massage therapists on the road with us too- volunteering their time. Thank goodness. We settle in at Midstate Fairgrounds in Paso Robles. Our surprise entertainment is the hilarious stand-up comic Paula Poundstone. She mercilessly makes fun of us. Laughter heals our dehydration.

Day Four, Wednesday June 6th: (80.9 miles) Today it strikes me how many poor animals we see on the road that have been hit. I've seen skunks, chipmunks. possums, raccoons, a cat, all kinds of birds and skeletons of bigger animals off to the side. It saddens me all the "roadkill." The ride makes graphic what we miss by depending upon cars so much- both the ugly, as well as the beautiful. I think back to where I am fortunate to live: Eco-Home in Los Feliz. It is Los Angeles' only ecological demonstration home. Bicycling or walking comes first as a form of transportation, then mass transit, then our electric vehicle, carpooling and lastly use of a car. I believe this bicycle ride I am on, is not only for fighting AIDS, but it is also putting into action a tenet of Eco-Home. making the connection that by bicycling more, the air can be cleaner which in turn helps all our immune systems. We bike along Pismo beach "the Clam Capitol of the World" and the ocean and beaches are glorious. Temperatures are cooler. There is also a descent that is quite a thrill. I do love going downhill! At the end of our day we are welcomed by youngsters along the road to our campsite at the Santa Barbara County Fairgrounds in Santa Maria.

Day Five, Thursday June 7th: (46 miles) This is our shortest day but the one with two difficult hills and at the end is beautiful Cachuma Lake near Santa Ynez and Solvang. I receive my best compliment yet on the road. "You are SO consistent." I just keep going and going... Some riders are wearing T-shirts that say: "Ride, Eat, Sleep." And it is too true. We do shower and we do have evening annoucements, entertainment and lots of other interactions. But basically it is "Ride, Eat, Sleep". The organizer of the event Dan Pallotta warns us to "Stay Alert, Stay Alive." He also reads us a letter by a past rider who is HIV positive and not healthy enough to do the ride this year. The letter ends with a wish for a "freer and more open society." I have felt a lot of emotions on this trip from the opening ceremony with the rider-less bike reminding us of friends and loved ones we've lost to AIDS to meeting new and wonderful people, to enduring the riding and pushing oneself each day to the limit. Tonight that letter really makes me cry. And I think again of the person I'm pedaling for, Paul Anelli who has AIDS. He is a fellow-performer who is so talented and gorgeous. He is the most incredible dancer, singer and actor and does drag: the best Barbra Streisand you'll ever see. I hope next year he can entertain the camp. I want him to get well. I want him to live. I am studying a Tennessee Williams monologue: "Live, live, live, live, live!--...Just live" says the character. I really FEEL the meaning of those words.

Day Six, Friday June 7th: (89.8 miles) Well, I'm officially sore- that is saddle sore. It is a bit embarrassing but I have to pedal the last 20 miles standing it hurts too much to sit. I just hope I'm ok for the final day. I now know what chafing really is. We rode through Santa Barbara where there were signs up that said encouraging messages. "THANK YOU RIDERS!" And our final destination was a beachside campsite in Ventura: Buenaventura State Beach. Tonight is our last night together. We have had a community of so many kinds of people all working together towards one goal. The riders come from all over, mainly Los Angeles or San Francisco but there were 15 countries represented and many from out of state as well. Every night when we have our evening news and announcements we always have a sign language interpreter for the deaf riders. Tonight we learn how to say I love you and applause in sign language. Our 300 plus crew people are honored and recognized for their tireless and efficient and absolutely necessary work. There is gear crew, food crew, camp set-up & pack-up & pit crews, SAG (Support and Gear), bike mechanics, UCLA medical team, massage therapists, chiropractors, media relations, lost & found, and more. We even had cheerleaders who travelled with us. One was a rider who was fast each day. He would ride ahead, finish and then get dressed up in drag like "Mama" and have a boom box and dance and urge us on a mile away from camp. What a gift! Mayor Riordan also attended this evening's festivities because he is going to join us for the last day's ride into Los Angeles.We end the night with a Talent/Gong Show. Being a lover of Shakespeare I perform these modified lines:

It was a little silly and sentimental and yes, I was Gonged. But you think up some wild stuff when you're on a bike for 6-8 hours or more a day. Time for SLEEP.

Day Seven, Saturday June 8th: (70.3 miles)I eat breakfast at 4:15 am. I guess I am excited to get going - to finish on a high. For this final day I wear my black and white checkered pants. All week people passing me on the ride complimented me on my various outfits. I guess I am one of the more colorful dressers: with my psychedelic tights, "Share the Road" jersey, deep purple velour coat, and lace riding shorts. I ride like the wind, forgetting any soreness. Pacific Coast Highway is fabulous. I do love the ocean air, breeze and mist. I'm in Los Angeles before 1pm. I get a massage and my yellow t-shirt for the final closing ceremonies where we ride en masse with all the colors of the rainbow. By 4pm we ride together. Wow. What a feeling- like a magical force- I think of our motto: "Will of Iron, Legs of Steel, Heart of Gold." The people on the streets of West Hollywood go wild and so do we riders. All 2000 plus riders converge on the stage at San Vicente and Melrose and speakers inspire and we celebrate and say goodbye. I printed on one of my ride T-shirts: "I offer blood, toil, tears and sweat" to honor and for love of my friend Paul. "And these good people offered cash..." and I listed my 54 sponsors who together pledged over $3000. Thank you! We raised funds to help people now and for the greater goal to end the AIDS epidemic in the next five years.