Today was the event known as the "Thank-You Ride," the last official event of the previous season and a gentle introduction to the new season. It was the standard Tiburon Loop (a shorter option to Mill Valley was also offered), and the only real excitement of the day came on the return across the Golden Gate Bridge. The bridge was partially shrouded in fog (look in the background of the picture), and dozens of tourists on rented bicycles all felt the need to stop right in the middle of the sidewalk to gawk at the fog, nearly causing many accidents. Shouts of "This is not a good place to stop!" seemed to have no effect.
As for the business of ALC, it was a good day, with many new riders and roadies signing up, some for the first time ever. (Welcome aboard!) And it was also the first official training ride for many of this year's new ride leaders, whom you'll be seeing on many rides to come.
Mark Cloutier, executive director of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, gave an inspirational speech about the foundation's new initiative, a call for a National AIDS Strategy to guide the nation's next president. He also made a very important point about fundraising: Everybody knows the economy isn't doing so hot right now, and it might be doing even worse come next year. That's why it's more important than ever that we seek donations as soon as possible. I'll second that emotion; because our individual fundraising minimum has increased to $3,000 this season, I have a much bigger challenge to raise enough money to even be allowed to ride in the event next May.
Just in case you don't see that giant "Donate Now" button over on the left side of this page, here's another link to get you started. Remember: I don't get any of this money; it all goes to the San Francisco AIDS Foundation to support their vital work here and around the world. Plus, the sooner I reach my fundraising minimum, the less I'll be stressing out over having to meet a difficult goal. And I know that there's a whole bunch of very worthy causes, candidates, and groups angling for your dollars these days. All I ask is that you don't forget about the impact of the pandemic. So yes, do it for me, but do it for the real goal: to help fight HIV and AIDS.
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