Pedaling Towards a World Free of HIV/AIDS

Brian Urmanita, Senior Validation Engineer, Process and Qualification Engineering, Pharmaceuticals, Bayer U.S.

This summer I spent a week taking in the beautiful mountains and beaches that stretch between San Francisco and Los Angeles. But this wasn’t your average vacation: I traveled 545 miles of California coastline by bike, alongside HIV/AIDS activist volunteers and ambassadors.

The trek marked my third AIDS/LifeCycle bike ride, an annual event that raises critically needed funds for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the Los Angeles LGBT Center, organizations that provide free HIV/AIDS medical care, testing and prevention services.

The AIDS/LifeCycle is more than a fundraiser. “The Ride”, as it’s called, also raises awareness to end the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS and provides a positive, life-affirming experience for people who have been affected by the condition. The Ride is a grueling but inspirational seven day adventure full of steep climbs, exhilarating descents and long winding roads — I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Averaging 78 miles a day, The Ride is not an easy feat, whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or a first time rider in this challenge. Every morning, we wake up in the dark, scarf down a big breakfast and ride out at first light. Some of us hop on our bikes and happily cycle off. Others (myself included) feel the slow response of sore muscles, urging them to push down on pedals mile after mile, our brains driving our bodies to limits we never thought possible. I feel a slight sense of wonder at each rest stop, at the top of a hill and at the end of the day when we finally reach the next camp. I did it!

There are many ways to make a difference in others’ lives, but this is one that takes months of training, countless solicitations for donations from family, friends and colleagues, a week of vacation and more than a few trips to REI for bike gear. In addition to cycling in The Ride three times, I have been a roadie twice in the past ten years. What keeps me coming back? It’s the direct and positive impact that The Ride has on people’s lives. It’s the financial impact for treatment and prevention and the sense of community and family that evolves during the week.

With several friends that are HIV positive, it’s also a deeply personal crusade to show support for their struggles with the virus and combat the social stigma that remains. Because of The Ride, I’ve seen one friend go from grappling with his own personal struggles of being HIV positive to becoming a tireless activist and fundraiser, traveling all over the world, talking to locals about what it means to be HIV positive and raising money locally to further treatment and prevention.

At the end of the week, passing that finish line, there is no greater feeling than knowing all that the riders achieve through this event. After the soreness is gone and the sunburns have faded, what remains are the friendships made and the memories of a week spent being a part of the solution to ending HIV/AIDS.