I’ve long avoided “personal” blogging, but with my decision to join this year’s AIDS/LifeCycle ride, “personal” and “political” are now harder to distinguish.

Briefly: the AIDS/LifeCycle ride is an annual bicycle ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles, with the funds raised going to benefit AIDS research and the outreach and services performed by the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center.

For seven days next June, I’ll be riding the 545 mile route, but only after I spend the next seven months trying to reach the $3,000 fundraising goal I’ve set. Fortunately, the ride is fully supported (food and shelter provided by the organizers); unfortunately, I’ve never ridden further than 25 miles on my own – and that was when I was 14 – so I’m due for a lot of training. I’ve joined the AIDS/LifeCycle at the Sacramento Bicycle Kitchen, where I volunteer frequently, a wonderful bunch of people that are just as interested in bicycles and making a dent in the AIDS pandemic as I am.

I figure if I’m going to ask my friends, family, and any other readers to put their support behind my legs, I should give them something to let them know I won’t let them down. Unfortunately, the AIDS/LifeCycle “personal page” isn’t geared for frequent status updates, at least in such a way as I’m comfortable. So, this blog. I’m going to keep this updated with my training rides, to let you know that I’m serious about this ride and this cause, and to help you feel like you’re as much as part of it as I am.

My donation page is available here. Any amount is appreciated.