jim-agery: Dear Allstars

May 27, 2013 Hey Allstars, Well, we’re just a few days away from the ride of our lives. Before we set out, I wanted to take a moment to tell you how grateful I am to be riding with this amazing team. As a first-year team comprised almost entirely of newbies, it’s been inspiring to watch everyone grow as cyclists, raise more money than anyone ever expected and work together with such cohesion. But we were fortunate to have a secret weapon too and I’d be remiss in not mentioning how thankful I am we were joined by a veteran rider, Paul, who’s helped guide us through everything AIDS/LifeCycle is about. Few of us knew each other before we started this journey together. Actually, it was just a stroke of luck that brought me to Manning Up Allstars. Prior to joining the team, I had contacted another team. But that captain was away on vacation at the time. While I was waiting for a reply from them, Jeremy finalized the details for this team and I asked to join him. That’s my story and I don’t know how some of you came to become Allstars - except Molly & Paul who we pestered daily until they caved, heh! But you all did join us and when we cross that finish line on June 8, we will truly be brothers & sisters in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Some of you came to the team as friends. And others have forged connections because of the team. And a few of you will meet for the first time this Saturday. I feel like I’ve been the luckiest since I’ve not only met everyone (except one... Geovanny I’ll finally get the chance to see you on Saturday!), but I’ve had the opportunity to ride with each of you too. Our first team ride around the Los Angeles Zoo was with Derek, Duke, Randy, Jeremy and even Molly who none of us knew until that day. Not a stellar ride at only 9.5 miles but definitely memorable due to the bitter cold and Jeremy’s chain falling off every ten minutes. Shortly after that, a few Allstars - Duke, Randy, Martijn, Jeremy and I joined Paul in San Francisco for the NorCal Kickoff/Expo and our first team fundraiser. The next day Paul and I crossed the Golden Gate Bridge together on our bikes. It was the day I learned what a strong rider Paul is and also the day we found out Duke gets lost easily but has no problem creating his own little “Tour de Duke.” In March, Erik, Jonathan, Molly, Duke and I were so proud as we all finished our longest ride at the time when we completed 60 miles in the Tour de Palm Springs. I rode with Harold the first time the following day, then again when he joined us here in Vegas for Wild West Weekend. Jose nearly killed me trying to keep up with him on our first ride together before the SoCal ALC Expo. Finally, just last month, there was Day on the Ride and Allstars were represented by almost the entire team - Duke, Erik, Jonathan, Jeremy, Dan, Molly, Randy and myself. What a challenging day... but many of us completed our longest rides ever in that heat. And some learned the mechanical challenges (and frustrations) that are part of long rides. All of this will culminate next week as we come together from Los Angeles, Palm Springs, San Francisco and Las Vegas and ride as a full team for the first time. For seven days. Covering 545 miles. The week we’ve all been working toward. And wow, have you been working. I did some research and gotta say for a first year team we’ve been incredibly successful in recruitment, training and fundraising. Many first year teams are small but we topped out at twenty. Unfortunately, we’ve lost teammates for many reasons and although it will be bittersweet to ride without Martijn or Michael or Jamaal or Dominic, thirteen of us will be at Cow Palace on Saturday. And did you know our team has completed more than 13,000 miles in training. That’s an average of 1,000 miles each (although Jose gets the medal for most training miles completed, clocking in at over 2,500!). And I don’t even want to think about how much money we’ve spent collectively on gear & bikes. But all of that is just the means to an end. Raising money to benefit the LA Gay & Lesbian Center and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. Sure some other teams have raised more money - but they’re seasoned teams and most are much larger than the Allstars. And we’re right up there with them even though this was all new to us. Being new didn’t stop us from reaching our goal two months before the ride then blowing past it by raising almost 50% more! Half of you have earned $5K jerseys... which is a major feat but after seeing how many of our fellow cyclists are still struggling to reach $3,000, the fact that our team has reached their minimums to ride is a stellar accomplishment! Proud doesn’t even begin to explain how I feel about each and every one of you. So take some time this week to treat yourself well for all the hard work you’ve completed. Splurge on that one piece of gear you don’t really need... but really, really want. Take a nap or two (it might be the last for seven days). Get a massage. Eat some ice cream. Stretch and keep those legs limber. And most importantly, don’t stress. Just take a moment to reflect on where you were... and where you are now. You’ve accomplished so much and there’s no doubt in my mind... YOU GOT THIS! Jim (a.k.a. Rider #1655)