I have been considering doing something for the past two years and I’ve finally decided to make the step. I have decided to do the AIDS/Lifecycle event next year. It’s a 7-day 545-mile bike ride June 3-9, 2007, from San Francisco to Los Angeles.
It involves a major commitment on two levels. First, the distance. The farthest I’ve ever ridden in a week is 225 miles and this is more than double that amount. Second, in order to do the event I have to raise at least $2,500 in donations for AIDS related charities.
I’ve been leery to make a commitment that large since I don’t know that many people in California and I work for a very small company so there won’t be easy pickings there. However, this week I put out some feelers amongst my Internet friends, the majority of whom don’t even know my first name, and it looks like a good many of them have agreed to help me out.
I won’t start officially raising money until January 1, even though some are already asking where to send the money. I don’t want to pinch people too hard over the holidays.
Once I start asking for money I can’t back out and not do the ride. That should be sufficient to keep me on the bike all winter and off the couch…like biking thru a Southern California winter is a traumatic experience to begin with. I need to get some lights for my bike so I can ride after work even during the week.
The people on BikeForums.net are fun to ride and socialize with, plus they’re keeping me motivated to get in shape. I set up an online calendar for everyone to keep track of upcoming group rides. This should be a fun experience.