Your 2003 Training Ride Leaders!

Aileen Stickley

Artie Nathan

I hadn't been on a bike in about fifteen years when I saw a full page add in the Sunday Times for the Boston-New York Aids Ride. After a fair amount of hesitation and procrastination, I finally signed up for the '98 BNY Aids Ride 4. I have vivid memories of my first training ride. It was a short ride up to the Cloister's, approximately 14 miles or so. As my heart pounded so hard that my ribs hurt, I wondered what I had gotten myself into. Well, it turned out to be a most amazing experience. The adventure, the friendships, and everything that I've learnedÖ. the whole experience made a difference in my life. So I went back for more in '99 and did BNY Aids Ride 5 which turned out to be the infamous Floyd Ride. This past year did the Alaska Aids Vaccine Ride 1. Somewhere along the way I became a Training Ride Leader. Many of you are doing this for the first time and quite possibly don't have a clue (Yet). That's definitely OK. Hell, that's how I was when I started training for my first ride. Turns out that there's a bit more to it than just getting on a bicycle and pedaling! On these rides, people share. I've gotten a lot of advice and training along the way. Now it's your turn. That's why we're here. See ya on the road.

Avery L. Washington

Barry Siegel

In 1999 I saw a newspaper ad describing the upcoming Boston to NY Aids Ride. I signed up and started doing training rides in June. By the end of August I was doing back to back 100 mile rides. I had done some riding before but never those kinds of distances. With the encouragement of the training ride leaders, I was able to do more than I ever thought possible. I made lots of new friends with the other riders. And, I really felt great about raising money for a truly worthwhile cause. One of the training ride leaders encouraged me to become one the following year, and this is what I am doing. I got a lot out of the rides, and I intend to give back to new riders. Believe it or not, by the end of the summer you will also be doing 100 mile rides!

Bernard Delcourt

Great people, great fun, great outdoors. What else can you ask of a WE spin out of Manhattan? I've riden BNYAR5 (the bit that wasn't flooded by Hurricane Floyd) and AAVR1 (even the bit that was snowed on). Luckily, I don't seem to attract such freakish weather on Training Rides. Now, why bother to ride all those hills you wonder? Getting nice calves and a willpower that flattens the earth are part of my answer... Come and find out your own answers. See you in Spandex :-)

Betsy Eastwood

I started riding my bike seriously as a result of the Ride, and I discovered that I just love it. I got so much out of the first two rides, that I decided it was time to give back to the community. The TRLs were so encouraging and had great bike gear and helpful tips. Here are the things I love about the riding. The people rooting everyone to get up that last hill! The friends we make. Being a part of a community bringing awareness to the issues facing people living with HIV. It's a blast! It will change your life.

Cathy Bennet

This is my first year as a Training Ride Leader. I was a rider for AAVR, BNY 4 & 5. I bought my first bike "Mad Dog" just before Boston New York 4. I fell in love with my bike and riding. It's just soo cool being able to leave my apt and ride somewhere outside the city and come home, all by own power. The rides for the most part are beautiful, the weatherÖyour guess is good as mineÖbut the friends you'll make and the experiences you'll go through will be life changing. See you on the road.

Cecelia Casey

AIDS Rides are guaranteed to change your life. Every veteran rider and TRL will tell you the same. I met my current family of friends on the Boston/New York AIDS Ride 2. I also met my current companion from one of my good friends from Ride 2. And each year my family of cycling friends keep growing. I know of 3 couples that met on the Ride that have married. What a great community -- you can improve your own life while helping others with HIV improve theirs! Where else can you get so much: great fitness, good friends, a partner for life perhaps in addition to love and compassion. After Ride 2 I crewed Ride 3, rode Ride 4 and almost drowned in Hurricane Flloyd crewing for Ride 5. My greatest challenge was completing every mile of the Alaska AIDS Vaccine Ride this past August in horrific weather conditions. This is my fifth year as a TRL. You'll usually find me at the back in the sweep position especially if I'm with my fast and furious partner Tom Weise. I also will ride middle on other rides when other TRL's need help. I'm the "Mommy in the Back" -- I'll push, coax, encourage and plead-- whatever you need to finish the ride I'll give it to you. Just don't say "I can't" -- I don't hear that. Remember practice doesn't make you perfect it makes you better and I'm here to do that for you and me too.

Cecile Vanech

Cristina Vaccaro

This is my second year riding and my first as a TRL. When I started training for last year's ride, I hadn't been on a bike in I-don't-know-how-long. My first training ride, a flat 30 mile jaunt through Brooklyn just about killed me! Come September, I rode that bike every mile from Boston to NY. I thank the TRL's for helping me do that. That's why I am a TRL this year -- to motivate, inspire, and HAVE FUN!!! It is possible. You will do this. It's my job to make sure you train well, train right, and enjoy the journey from point A to point B.

Dave Braun

Dietmar Petutschnig

Austrian born, Frank Zappa educated. aka dietmar.com. love riding and sharing the spirit of the Aidsride and hill training. Did the last 6 miles of BNY3 by accident in 97 ... the crowd was soo much fun so I signed up for BNY4 in 98 and started taking digital pictures and this site, drafted as a TRL in 99 and prepared riders and myself for the 575 mile CAR6 ride & the BNY5 ride and signed up for AAVR in 00. Not a lot of time in 03 but happy to support everyone ! Training team partner with Carlos, Barry, Artie, Dave and many other great ones. RIDE ON ! e-mail: dietmar@aol.com

Doug Gordon

Doug Gordon is happy to be involved with his second AIDS Ride. Last year he was fortunate to have encouraging and committed TRLs guide him through the successful completion of the Boston-New York Ride, his first AIDS Ride experience. This year he hopes to return the favor by not only training new riders, but also by training his parents, who are doing their first long-distance bike ride in over fifty years.

Doug's best advice? Don't just see the Ride as a four-day event in July. The Ride experience begins the moment you show up for your first training ride. Of course, you need to train for the physical challenges, but the Ride is more than just getting in shape to climb each hill and finish every mile. You'll get a lot more out of the experience if you remember to stop and talk to your fellow riders every once and a while. Ask questions. We' re all here to support each other.

Doug Gordon is a hack television writer living in New York City. Doug is single, straight and enjoys referring to himself in the third person.

Ed Sunderland

Elliott Gerber

ERIC BROOKS

Eric Thomann

I was on my way home from a long day of work when I noticed a poster on the subway for the New York to Boston AIDS ride , I sat there and starred at the poster the whole way home thinking about how amazing it would be not only to accomplish such an endeavor but that fact that I would be helping so many people in need. I went home and immediately went to the website and did all my research and signed up on the spot. Keep in mind at this point I didn't even have a bike nor any type of gear or knowledge of cycling. To make a long story short... My first ride was in 2002 and I have to say I don't think I have ever had so much fun in my life. I met people from all walks of life and we somehow over the course of 3 days we became a family it was a great feeling to know that we were all brought together for the same purpose. PS. I own two bikes now!

I love to ride my bike... It makes me feel like a kid again. A couple years ago, after too many years of leading an 'unbalanced life' (i.e. only working) I ventured out and found a group of people that has proven to me that we can make a real difference- and have fun! . You can make a difference. I raise money for HIV and AIDS causes. You may have a different cause- one that is as important to you as mine is to me. But the common denominator is that our causes need our help. There are too many people that are not as privileged as we are. Your journey has already started, and everyone you ride with and everyone you speak to while training will hear your message. I think everyone that participates should join the training rides. The 'community' is unbelievably strong. We're here to help you reach your goals: your first $1,000 raised, your first Century, your first 1,500 foot climb, what to eat and how to train, your last $1,000 raised. You CAN do the ride and you CAN raise the money. It's challenging, but it's not as hard as you think! And it's also fun! My training approach tends toward those that are serious about reaching their goals, but you should know that no one gets left behind. I'm single, a resident of NJ, and self-employed as an environmental consultant. My participation in the AIDS Rides has allowed me to help many people beyond my normal reach. Yours will, too!

Jerome Adams

This is my first year as a Training Ride Leader (TRL). Last year I did the NorthEast AidsRide, my first one. It was a rewarding experience that has literally changed me for the better. During the many training rides and the AidsRide itself, I made great friends (some are also new TRLs) and it was just an amazin' experience. The TRLs who prepared me encouraged me to come back and I'm just glad to give back to such a worthy cause. I'm now an avid cyclist who loves the climbs/hills. I follow the pros religiously in the media, and I even cut out all the Burger King meals so I can ride better! I invite you to join my rides for a great, safe and challenging time. I will get you ready for those hills...

Jim Feldman

A few years ago I had the good fortune to be on 8th Avenue as BNY 3 came in. Seeing all those wonderful people united for this cause was a tremendously moving experience, especially because I have been living with HIV for 18 years, and I knew that they were doing it for me. That day I decided to cast aside all doubts about my ability and to do the next Ride. Over the next twelve months I was continually blown away by the love, generosity and support of the Ride community. I trained hard the first summer, surrounded by new friends, and was astonished to see my mileage, speed and endurance crank up. I stopped hating hills, and sometimes now even look forward to them, just to see what I can do. I realized that if I was able to do the Ride, I could do anything. This year, I'll be training you for NEAR1. Ride on!

Joe Kessler

Joe Cohen

Joely Polokoff

John Coleman

Julia Cohen

I started this adventure two years ago with the Boston-->NY AIDS Ride (aka "Floyd" Ride). Last year, I rode the first ever Alaska AIDS Vaccine Ride -- you wanna know cold & wet? You'll often find me sweeping trainings ride on my little purple Trek 2200. If you're back there with me, we'll talk it through those mother hills together. This is going to be SO MUCH FUN.

Laren Spirer

(aka Sunshine) My goal as a TRL is to provide moral support. You'll generally find me near the back of the pack or somewhere near the food (I'm a big fan of Patrick's Galloping Gourmet ride!). I'm not a "super intense cycling junkie" type -- more like a "slow, steady, isn't it nice to be supporting a great cause and having fun on a bike with great people" type. For all the beginners out there -- I bought my bike over Memorial Day weekend and did BNY6 two years ago, which was in early September. Before that, I hadn't ridden a bike in over 10 years and I didn't think I could ever do anything like riding from Boston to New York! My advice is to take it at your own pace and gradually increase your mileage -- we're all here to support you along the way. Have fun and welcome to the community!!!

Leatrice Jones

I have been involved with the Boston-New York Aids ride since it's inception in 1995. I started as a rider. I've also volunteered in the ride office as well as closing ceremonies. For the last three years I have become involved as being a training ride leader. It's rewarding to see how some riders have improved since there first training ride. e-mail:Bowlinjones@aol.com

Lisa Dennett

I've been riding my bike and walking (without my bike) for various charity events for the past… too many years to count. With a passion for beginners, clueless new bike riders and proper helmet wearing, feel free to ask me about anything. Mind you, I don't know everything. Member of the Steering Committee, Train the Trainers. Other important info: I still prefer to walk up and down the narrow winding entrance of the GWB.

Louise Kim

Manuel Mainardi

Mari Berkley

Marty Rosen

Michael Lincoln

I'm honored to be a first year TRL for 2003 and to have this opportunity to give back to the community. Discovering a passion for long distance riding in my late 40s has been the BEST. You too can do it! Come train with us and discover the best methods, the best people and the self-affirmation of doing something you never thought possible. In 2002, I did the final Northeast AIDSRide and the Face of America ride and many century rides. I grew up in a little town in western Nebraska, and found my way to NYC 19 years ago. I am a free-lance theatrical lighting designer.

Michelle Berke

Mike Weyand

Howdy! I'm Mike Weyand and I just turned 50. To celebrate this I decided to ride in five of the Tanqueray and Vaccine rides. So you'll see me riding in the California, Chicago, NY, Montana and Canada rides. But I plan on leading some fun rides here before taking off all over the country. As a Positive Pedaler, I have gotten so much good energy from the rides that I love to share my love of hills, especially with new riders. We're all heros by being on these rides and I salute you! So come ride with me on an adventure of a lifetime!

Patrick Faw

First off, thanks to each of you for doing the ride. Actually registering is a gigantic first step that I am confident you will never regret. This is my 5th year working to help those living with AIDS, having ridden in two Boston NY rides, and two California rides, and I am also on the Training Ride Leaders Steering Committee. As training ride leaders, we're going to encourage you, challenge you, push and occasionally yell at you, in order to get you through these training rides. We'll do all this to make you better, safer and stronger riders. Any fear and trepidation you bring will dissolve quickly, if you are prepared to do the work. I am confident that come this August you will be more than physically and mentally ready for challenge. Along the way, (at the very least), you will discover the incredible community that is the ride, and might even walk away with a few new friends. Questions???, Concerns??? E-mail me at patrick_faw@yahoo.com.

Quentel Mathis

Ricki Schweizer

Robert Killian

Roland Roth

Sam Perez, III

editors note: man with a mission and head of the education subcommittee although down for a few rides he will show up with some home grown bikes that most TRL's are scared to touch.. hey if it's a bike you have laying around Sam want's it ...

Stev Taylor

Susan Kastan

Last year I discovered cycling and the AIDS Ride community -- both sources of power and possibility. This year I'm assisting with a beginner series and other rides, while the learning curve from tottering tip-overs to centuries and speed circuits is still fresh. I'm a historian so I think about the past at work, but I ride because I'm a parent and take the future personally. It matters that we keep raising money and consciousness about AIDS prevention, care and research. Special interests in fundraising (my career background) and cross-training (swim, run, gym). Oh yes, and food! Mmmm...is it lunchtime yet?

Thomas Weise

I'm a native German but don't really like to talk about it. It has its reason since I'm not a friend of the German mentality. But anyway, I lived in Hannover (Expo 2000) and Berlin, and for a short while in Sydney. As an actor I always make sure we have some great fun on all the rides I lead with Cecelia. This is our fifth year as Training Ride Leaders and I did the ride twice myself ('96+'98) and crewed in '97 (with Cecelia, in the "Underworld"-Lunchstop). And in addition I will this year crew with the Alaska AIDS Vaccine Ride in August but I will not participate in any AIDS Rides anymore. Instead I committed myself - as I've done in the past years as well - to a lot of other AIDS fundraisers, especially for children with HIV/AIDS. As a Positive Peddler, I am very much looking forward to another beautiful riding season!!

T. Richard Corcoran

A personal thank you for taking on the Ride. You're already awesome! I'm the unnaturally blond guy, probably smoking a cigarette. I know that's not setting a good example, but otherwise I'm the very model of a modern major training ride leader. It is a joy for me to continue the legacy of helping bikers prepare for the Ride, as my first TRLs helped me. Who said, "Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right."? I see my task less about teaching you about bikingóalthough that will take placeóbut more about teaching you that it's okay to "think you can". Feel free to e-mail me at trcalouette@msn.com, or call me 718.636.6386 about anything, including the Positive Pedalers.