Cannondale Rides ALC!

Cannondale is proud to be the official bike sponsor of AIDS Life Cycle! This blog will follow our brand ambassadors, bike tech team and other ALC participants on their journey as they ride the 545 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles!

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Day 7 - Ventura to LA  62 miles

And so the journey ends, Aids Life Cycle 2015 has come to a close.

 I’m proud to report it was another record breaking year raising over 16.3 million dollars for the Los Angeles LGBT Center and the SF Aids Foundation. And the best part is... donations are still rolling in. Team Mitzi has officially raised $27,484.50 and I’m blown away by the generosity and support! 

I have said my tearful good byes to the friends and roadies I see once a year at Camp ALC and the Cannondale crew who have spent the week with us supporting our every move. 

Everyone asked the same question...have you signed up for next years ride? The answer is…. I’m going to ride the 2015 "Love Bubble" as long as I can and see what the future holds.

It’s now time for me to reconnect with my family and non cycling friends who think I’m nuts for riding my bike 545 miles but still love and support me.

I’ll take the summer to reflect on my accomplishments, continue to cycle and float around on the water on my SUP board. 

In the mean time, ride safe be safe and see you on the road!

- Mitzi 

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What an incredible day! Congratulations to all the riders & roadies for completing AIDS Lifecycle! Thank you!

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Kevin's ALC Recap (Pt. 2)

To sum up days 4, 5 & 6 in a single word it would be emotional for everyone. Day four has us cross the half way mark and for anyone that has set off on or set a lofty goal halfway is an accomplishment in and of itself. This day also gives us our first day of amazing descents on the ride. Day five is all about the red dress outfit. It began as a dress in red day to simulate a red ribbon down the roads in California, however the community took off with it and made it some thing more. It's a hilly day but the symbol that was intended is achieved however it's done with some amazing creativity. Day six is all about the candle light vigil that is always a moving experience. There is other "magic" created on this day that can only be shared while in attendance. This is also the day that we prepare for the final day of the ride. The highlight for me today was seeing the mechanics on stage and being recognized for the work they do. Then a bike as given away to the person that received a ticket for being a safe rider. Today was about the vigil.

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Day 6 - Lompac to Ventura 88.1 miles

Hands down my favorite day on the ride! The most beautiful 88 miles along the coast through Santa Barbara. It’s bitter sweet. Happy to be close to home yet sad the ride is coming to an end tomorrow. Wrapping the day up with a candle light vigil on the beach to remember our loved ones who have passed. It was a beautiful day - Mitzi

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I spy a Cannondale cheerleader.. Mike Miranda! #yeahcannondale #RoadiesRock

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"Our son passed away in 2013. He died of AIDS, and he was supposed to be here today. So we're filling in for him..."  

Talana has decided that she will ride next year! We are excited to say that Cannondale and AIDS Lifecycle have teamed up to provide her with a Cannondale bike to ride next year! 

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Mitzi and her team stop by Rest Stop 3 in Santa Barbara!

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Day 5 - Santa Maria to Lompoc  43 miles

Red dress day...it’s a short day but it was mostly up hill in a skirt.... yikes!  Looking up into the mountains it resembles a red ribbon. Everyone got into the spirit of the day-  hairy legs and all.

- Mitzi (posing with Cannondale sales rep: Engin Yesilyemis!)

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It was a successful #RedDressDay to say the least! Here are some of our favorite photos from the day. 

Photo Credit: www.marsramp.com 

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Aren't our Cannondale bike techs pretty? Not only will they work on 500+ bikes today but doing it in a dress to support #reddressday at AIDS Lifecycle!

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Red Dress Day! 

 Mitzi and her team of Pretty Little Riders leave from Santa Maria, CA!

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Day 4 - Paso Robles to Santa Maria 91.4 miles

Half way to LA with my team Pretty Little Riders. Small but mighty team -

 7 riders, we raised $137k!!!!

- Mitzi

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Kevin’s ALC Update

The first three days of AIDS Lifecycle are some of the toughest. Between the miles of day 2 (109) or the chill of riding out day 1 (51 degrees) or the scorching heat and winds of day 3, I have no choice but to push through. I ride for people that died from AIDS, my partner included, so how can I complain? The toughest part of the ride isn't actually riding, I did Quadbuster twice because of a donor, it's knowing all I can do is ride.

There is nothing that can compare to the techs on this ride. I have seen them calm a rider when they think their bike is done and then they return them a working bike. The most selfless group of people I have ever seen. I actually forgot my shoes in Los Angeles, one of them loaned me their shoes and not because I am an ambassador but because that is what they do. The tech will save a person's ride which means they give them back what they thought they lost. The heroes on AIDS Lifecycle are really not the riders it's the tech because they will do anything it takes. 

#yeahcannondale 

- Kevin 

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Day 3 - King City to Paso Robles 65.3 miles

 The famous Quad Buster Day 2352 feet of climbing just a warm up for tomorrows Eval Twins! The town of Bradley, population 92, had their annual fundraiser BBQ for us at lunch. They raised 16k last year which funded the extracurricular activities for the school age kids. Giving back while giving back ....love it!

 - Mitzi

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Day 3 begins and this is how we get to start the day! #yeahbaby #yeahcannondale (at King City, California) 

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Cannondale sales rep Mike Miranda gets some love from Kevin before Day 3 of #AidsLifeCycle! 

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@helenscycles being repped on #alc2015 safety day with the orange kit of Helens Westwood there were more but I couldn’t stop them or catch them lol #aidslifecycle (at City of King)

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Day 2 - Santa Cruz to King City 109.5 miles

Long grueling 109 mile day, finally got my groove on around mile 48!  Wore the Team Mitzi jersey day with all my donors and supports names on it. Made my day knowing each and everyone of them were with me every mile....team work!

- Mitzi