Day 1 – Wednesday, September 5, 2007
The first morning of the bike tour was a promising one. It was cool and clear at sunrise when I got up to prepare for the day. I’d done most of my prep work the night before boiling eggs, making cream cheese and bagels, and PB with bread as snacks for the riders along the way. All that was left to do was pack the truck, get Corbett up and at ‘em, and head over to Elizabeth Park.
Organizers from Peter's Retreat, the Hartford Gay & Lesbian Health Collective and AIDS Project Hartford were there, including a few residents from Peter's Retreat – Lonnie and Joseph. Eventually, all 6 riders with some of their loyal supporters made their way into the park. Longtime CABT supporter and cheerleader, Carolyn Gabel-Brett was there to cheer us.
I spoke briefly to those gathered about the importance of their participation and invoked the Vito Russo quote I previously posted. But I also spoke to the poignancy of this bike tour for me this year. The public perception in general is that AIDS is over…this crisis is over. But the truth is that we are such a long way from that place. People are still getting infected --- which calls for more prevention efforts; people are still getting sick – which points to the need for better access to quality and affordable care and support; and people are still dying. Longtime AIDS activist Donna Nazario died this past weekend. It doesn’t escape me that I won’t be able to attend her services because I’ll be on the road this week. It simply means that I’ll be carrying her memory and spirit with me each day as a burning reminder of why we do what we do and why it’s so critically necessary.
As the old ACT UP saying goes…Until there’s a Cure.
We had such an amazing day with 6 riders ranging from 17 to their mid-50s. All the riders pretty much stayed together the entire day which made my “job” of keeping track of them incredibly easy. That coupled with the fact that everyone was in such a good mood and just enjoying the day, made it spectacular.
This is a day of mad, mad hills. Not only did no one complain, but everyone (for the most part!) seemed to enjoy the challenges. There were analogies and references made to forgetting how painful childbirth was once all the hills were over and done with.
The first morning of the bike tour was a promising one. It was cool and clear at sunrise when I got up to prepare for the day. I’d done most of my prep work the night before boiling eggs, making cream cheese and bagels, and PB with bread as snacks for the riders along the way. All that was left to do was pack the truck, get Corbett up and at ‘em, and head over to Elizabeth Park.
Organizers from Peter's Retreat, the Hartford Gay & Lesbian Health Collective and AIDS Project Hartford were there, including a few residents from Peter's Retreat – Lonnie and Joseph. Eventually, all 6 riders with some of their loyal supporters made their way into the park. Longtime CABT supporter and cheerleader, Carolyn Gabel-Brett was there to cheer us.
I spoke briefly to those gathered about the importance of their participation and invoked the Vito Russo quote I previously posted. But I also spoke to the poignancy of this bike tour for me this year. The public perception in general is that AIDS is over…this crisis is over. But the truth is that we are such a long way from that place. People are still getting infected --- which calls for more prevention efforts; people are still getting sick – which points to the need for better access to quality and affordable care and support; and people are still dying. Longtime AIDS activist Donna Nazario died this past weekend. It doesn’t escape me that I won’t be able to attend her services because I’ll be on the road this week. It simply means that I’ll be carrying her memory and spirit with me each day as a burning reminder of why we do what we do and why it’s so critically necessary.
As the old ACT UP saying goes…Until there’s a Cure.
We had such an amazing day with 6 riders ranging from 17 to their mid-50s. All the riders pretty much stayed together the entire day which made my “job” of keeping track of them incredibly easy. That coupled with the fact that everyone was in such a good mood and just enjoying the day, made it spectacular.
This is a day of mad, mad hills. Not only did no one complain, but everyone (for the most part!) seemed to enjoy the challenges. There were analogies and references made to forgetting how painful childbirth was once all the hills were over and done with.
An added pleasure for me was that at various resevoirs and lakes, I saw a heron, a bald eagle, an egret and a deer.
The Northwest AIDS Project and Interfaith AIDS Ministries took great care of us. Representative Joe Taborsak joined us in Danbury to welcome the riders and thank everyone for making a difference here in our state. The camaraderie was impeccable and the meals were fantastic!!
All in all, it was an amazing day, filled with time to re-connect with old friends. It rarely gets any better than that. Check back in with us tomorrow...
