29 Miles; 29 Years

Yesterday was one of the more important rides I've been on in a while. It was the World AIDS Day ride-- Nov. 29, 29 miles, for the 29 years of the AIDS pandemic.

More than 100 of us gathered at McLaren Lodge in San Francisco, many of us wearing red. After the usual stretching and safety speech, we joined hands and had a moment of silence to honor and remember those we have lost to this horrible disease. I thought of Jimmy, of Andrew, of Ricardo and many other friends and acquaintances whom we have lost. Some died peacefully, some in terrible pain and anguish. Some surrounded by friends and family; some alone. No one should die alone, and I so look forward to the day when no one dies as a result of HIV and AIDS.

One member of the Positive Pedalers told his story of how the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, through services and support, helped him get sober and healthy. Now he rides and is strong.

Treatment has come a long way in the 29 years since the virus was discovered, but we're not there yet. We have no cure, nor no guarantee that the current drug regimen will continue to work or cause other health problems. And every day, people continue to be infected. Even some people I know, who in their hearts knew better, have become infected in the last few years.

Fewer children are being infected, which is wonderful, but again, through education and medication, we can stop children from being infected. The disease still takes huge tolls in other parts of the world, and it is still killing many many people in the United States.

AIDS can never be an afterthought. It can never be a disease that is forgotten, until there is no more AIDS.

Yesterday's ride was short-- only 29 miles, but next to my 545 mile ride I'll take in June, it's the most important ride I do.