AIDS/LifeCycle

10 Years and Still Riding!!!

........The wonderful thing about Tiggers........
............Is Tiggers are wonderful things............
.........Their tops are made out of rubber.........
.......Their bottoms are made out of springs.......
......They're bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy......
....................Fun, fun, fun, fun, fun....................
.....But the most wonderful thing about Tiggers.....
......................Is I'm the only one......................


Can you believe it? This is my tenth year to ride my bike from San Francisco to Los Angeles, raising money for AIDS prevention and treatment programs.

As usual, I'll be riding Tigger, my bright orange, full-suspension, knobby-tire mountain bike.

Celebrate 10 Years By Helping Raise $10,000

When I first rode the California AIDS Ride in 1999, I could never have imagined I would be at it this long. But, except for one year off due to a new job, I haven't missed a year.

Some years, I've only raised $2,500. Other years, I've raised over $5,000.

Now, to mark this 10-year accomplishment, I've set my fundraising goal to $10,000.

That is almost double the highest amount I've ever raised before, and I know it will be difficult.

Some of you have been with me from year one, generously donating every year. Now, for ALC8, I'm asking you to do it again. I know it's asking a lot to keep coming back for money year after year, and believe me if it wasn't such an important cause I wouldn't keep doing it.

Your donations help support the life-saving projects of the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center. These include HIV education and prevention programs, testing and treatment, counseling, and many other critical HIV/AIDS services for those who otherwise could not afford it.

Rest assured, your donations really do make a difference. I invite you to come out to the San Buenaventura State Beach on Friday June 5, 2009 as we ride into camp for our last night on the road. Talk to one of the many HIV+ riders who are able to stay healthy and active due to the services this event supports. Learn about the HIV education programs you're helping fund, and how they reduce the number of new HIV infections each year. Experience the event and learn why I keep doing it year after year. But be warned: you may decide to ride yourself next time.

Still as 'Persistent' as Ever

Five years ago, I suffered a serious mountain climbing accident, shattering my knee and requiring six operations to repair. (Visit http://home.earthlink.net/~rich.benbrook/ for more details on this adventure.)

The doctors thought I might not ride again, and when I proved them wrong, they said I was the most stubborn person they knew.

Last year, I bought a lightweight, carbon fiber road bike. It's so much easier to ride than the mountain bike that I was able to complete the Tour of the California Alps (a.k.a. Death Ride - http://www.deathride.com - over 15,000 feet of climbing in 129 miles).

Again, some called me stubborn, but I prefer to think of myself as 'persistent'.

So once again, I will be persistent and ride my mountain bike from San Francisco to Los Angeles to raise money to fight HIV. I won't take the easy way out by riding the road bike.

I hope you won't take the easy way out, either. I know it can be difficult to decide which charitable causes to support with your hard-earned money, especially in our nation's current financial situation.

Please contribute as generously as you can, and consider a recurring donation, as even a small monthly contribution really adds up. Also, please tell your friends, family and co-workers about this web site. Thank you so much for anything you can do.

To donate, click the link at the top of this page. Or...