My 2006 cycling and training buddies -- Kevin Tilden and Albert Montes -- with me on the first day of the ride.

AIDS/Life Cycle is a fundraising event for AIDS-related projects, and this year 1,800 riders cycled 585 miles in 6 1/2 days from San Fancisco to Los Angeles ... and more importantly raised $8 million for AIDS-related services, from prevention campaigns, drugs for underserved communities and state and national lobbying to pre-natal care and hospice services.

Partially due to work done by the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, not a single baby in San Francisco has been born with AIDS in the last five years. There are many, many success stories like that, and it's nice to feel like you've played a small role in helping out.

Last year many of you helped me raise $5,250 for the ride, and this year my contributions totaled $7,650. Next year my goal is $10,000!

This was my second year to participate, and again it was an amazing experience... fantastic people, gorgeous countryside, great exercise, lots of money raised for an important cause and one of the most fulfilling week-long vacations you could ever take.

Being with 2,200 riders and volunteer roadies for a week all dedicated to a single cause, you're reminded that there are still good folks out the world. It's a reassuring experience to spend time with people who are courteous, caring, engaged and completely free of judgment.

Parents rode with their kids; plus husbands and wives, domestic partners, and groups of co-workers and friends. Our oldest rider was 78, and the youngest 18. It was a broad mix of people from nearly every state in the country -- I even met three people from Kansas!

The entire ride was lesson in organization. A complex set of teams of roadies and staff organized every minute detail. From route maps showing the elevation and grade of every hill for that day to traffic logistics, hundreds of port-a-potties, thousands of gallons of Gatorade, luggage transport, medical attention, bike repair assistance and road-side assistance. Each day's route included four Pit Stops, a lunch camp and water stops along the way. Teams of volunteers set up each site, served the cyclists as they came through and tore down after the last rider.

My 2005 cycling buddies.

Each day we rode an average of 80 miles with two century rides (100 miles or more) on Monday and Wednesday. We camped each night at fair grounds, camp grounds, in parks, on the beach and at a college. Each site included a meal and entertainment tent; buffet and beverage tents; a camp store; a medical tent; massage tent; chiropractic tent; bike repair station; bike parking lot; luggage retrieval areas; port-a-potties (with Purell and lots of towelettes); a media tent; a dedication tent (for writing personal notes to lost loved ones); a conference tent and other amenities. We set up our own two-person sleeping tents each night and tore them down before headed out for the ride. Shower semi-trailers were parked near the tents and essentially were his/hers locker rooms on wheels. A very slick set-up.

Needless to say, I'm planning on riding again next year, and if you're interested in giving it a shot, shoot me an e-mail. I'd be happy to tell you all about it. It's not as difficult as it sounds, and you'll have an amazing time.

Enjoy the pictures, and keep in touch!