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At the age of 32, a friend suggested,  "sit in the nude & stare into a mirror."  So, I did. And after staring (for 10 minutes) at my face, arms, stomach, eyes, feet and legs, I realized the mirror reflection did not match up with the words pouring out of my mouth.  And therefore, I altered my lifestyle to create an individual I would enjoy seeing each morning. 

 

So, In May of 1994, I bought a 10 year old Bianchi Road Bike. And I began a 6-month intense cycling training for a cycling event called the California AIDS Ride #2.

 

I left San Francisco with $3.00 in my pocket, no idea of how I was going to return, a questionable bike, the fear of failure, and began to cycle (along with 1500 other cyclist) toward West Hollywood. 

Seven days, 575 miles later, I arrived in West Hollywood. At which point, I realized it is possible to step outside of your normal routine. I realized it is possible to empower yourself while assisting others. I realized that I wasn’t alone in my ideas of creating a better world. And I realized that miracles could occur (after all, I made it back home with $3.00 in my pocket) .

 

"We are taught you must blame your father, your sisters, your brothers, the school, the teachers - but never blame yourself. It's never your fault. But it's always your fault, because if you want it to change you're the one who has got to change." 

Well, I've changed.  

And thanks to my mirror, I continue to improve myself & my reflection. 

 

Therefore, in June 2016, for my 19th Year, I will continue to assist in relieving the suffering of others by participating in a bike event to benefit the S.F. AIDS Foundation & The Los Angeles LGBT Center titled AIDS/LifeCycle.

Each year, I raise my $3,000.00 minimum to participate & cycle 575 miles (from S.F to L.A, CA.). And, I complete the ride knowing I did the right thing.

AIDS/Lifecycle is a 545 mile, 7 day, bicycle ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles, California.

AIDSLifeCycle is co-produced by the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center & the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and is designed to advance their shared interest to end the AIDS pandemic.


Each year, I must raise a $3000.00 minimum to participate in this bike charity event. Can you assist?

Thank you for taking the time to read my story,

AIDS/Lifecycle 2016 Online Donations: http://www.tofighthiv.org/goto/ynot

Downloadable Donation Form:
http://ynottony.com/ynot/wp-content/uploads/Charity_Tuesday.pdf

Full Bike Ride Story: http://ynottony.com/ynot/aidslifecycle/sponsorship-form/