Day 0: It Begins Again

It's that time of year. When all the pedaling. All the sweating. All the Clif Bars. All the saddle sores. All the nagging your friends, family, and colleagues for money. When all of that pays off.

AIDS/Lifecycle 9 begins now. And though a single mile is yet to be ridden, our biggest accomplishment is already in the books.

$8.75 million raised for HIV/AIDS prevention, awareness, and policy advocacy. Over $50,000 of that is from the PG&E Power Pedalers and our incredible supporters.

Thank you friends! Thank you family! Thank you co-workers! Thank you all!

If you'd like to still donate (it's not too late!!!), please click here and select any one of the PG&E Power Pedalers to support. Your donation goes immediately to work.

My name is Randy and I'll be your host for the week. I work in PG&E's Project Services Department, managing gas and electric distribution capital work in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

This blog will be updated nightly with photos and commentary from the day's events, once a day right through closing ceremonies 545 miles and 7 days away.

There will be more than 2200 cyclists heading down the state next week. Getting everybody safely into camp each night is the first priority. The importance of taking responsibility for your safety and ensuring the safety of everyone around you starts here in the Orientation Video. We all wear orange wristbands to signify acceptance of the safety code of conduct. And that wristband is your key to getting in line for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day.


From left to right: Ben Ko (Gas Estimator, San Francisco Service Center), Randy Franks (you met me already), Jackie Udin (ISTS clerical, SFGO), and Jane Wong (Project Manager in ISTS Apps Development, SFGO). Jackie's sporting our team colors. A very excellent PG&E Supporting the Community jersey. Everybody gets one! Register now for ALC10, June 5-11 2011. It'll be the time of your life.

This is John. He and I were both training ride leaders (TRLs) during the year. Every weekend day starting in January there are bike rides put on by volunteer TRLs all over the state. The rides get a little longer and a little tougher each week to prepare everybody for the experience of 545 miles in 7 days. Rides are designed for different skill and fitness levels. In the East Bay, we started at 18 miles, 8-10 mph average speed. It's not as hard as you think!

Over the last five months, I've had an incredible time making friends and watching them get into phenomenal shape. There will certainly be photos of "my riders," many on their first ever AIDS/Lifecycle, in upcoming posts.


Speaking of first time riders, "newbies" as they are proudly called, this is Jessica. She has the unenviable task of being married to me. And thus is constantly harassed about going for a bike rides. Well, she's made me proud this year by taking the leap. In fact, thanks to many of her co-workers at Swinerton Builders, she actually raised more money than me! Way to go, babe!



Harry is another TRL who volunteered on the East Bay rides. Harry won't be riding, but he is helping out with bike parking on Day 1 (look at the background that last photo: 2200 bikes. They need more than a few people directing traffic). To volunteer, you have to get up early. And fortunately Harry lives only 4 blocks from Jess and me, so we'll be carpooling to the Cow Palace. Only thing is.....we're leaving at 3:30 AM. Yikes.

It's 7:45 PM. Time for bed!