This was my second year riding and it was even better than last year. We didn't have to ride Carback Mountain on Day One, which was wonderful. Last year we did all of Skyline and I hated it.
The ride logistics just seem to get better and better every year, and it seems people really took safety more seriously this year. There were a few accidents, a couple of them fairly serious, but in general, people watched their speed, their passing and were amazingly courteous and helpful. It's hard to imagine a group of friendlier people.
For the second year I did the ride with my husband on our tandem, and this year we were faster and stronger, even occasionally passing other riders up hills-- a real first for us. There were about six tandems on the ride, and for the first time, a triple. Five guys rotated between a tandem and a triple.
We once again had lunch in Bradley. They sell hamburgers, hot dogs, buttons, pens and refrigerator magnets to raise funds for their school. They treat us so well and look forward to our arrival. The school has 30 students and we have helped provide scholarships for the kids.

People seemed to really outdo themselves on Red Dress Day. Every year it gets more outrageous.
And speaking of outrageous, the Rest Stop folks keep getting more and more creative. Rest Stop Four performed "Grease" this year-- last year they did Dreamgirls.

Getting back to the real world is tough. Also not eating thousands and thousands of calories a day takes some getting used to.

The ride raised close to 12 million and being part of it almost feels like being part of a cult. There are riders of all abilities, ages and sizes, but we are really unified behind a cause.

I hope to keep being involved as long as there is HIV and AIDS. I want my positive friends to die of old age.