Valerie's 2000 AIDS Ride Adventure!

After many many months of training and pledge gathering, my sister Valerie Barboza is about to embark on the long, strenuous, and worthy AIDS Ride Challenge. Valerie will be calling in every night of her trip to give updates to our "team" of Web Mistresses on her progress. Drop her a line of encouragement.

Last Updated: 06-10-00 --- Be sure to check back everyday!

Day 0-Registration

Registration day went very well. After a sleepless night in a charming room on Lombard street I went to join the other 2699 AIDriders to register, have safety orientations etc.

I signed up to be a safety monitor and now wear a bright orange cover on my helmet with streamers on it (no worries--the froggie is still there!!). We were treated to all you can eat ice cream by Ben and Jerry's. Despite my lack of sleep from the night before, I still had a restless night.

Day 1-San Francisco to Santa Cruz

We headed out into the wind early Sunday morning (we had to be at the start at 5:45). Our route would begin by traveling Skyline Bvld, over Highway 92 to Highway 1 where we would ride from Half-Moon Bay to Santa Cruz. The people along the route were very wonderful to us offering us popcicles and strawberries (I must have eaten at least a pound).

I rolled into town after 4PM and was met by my friend Bertie who treated me to Sushi dinner with her lovely family. My sister showed up with her massage table and worked me over. I'm a new woman!

When I got back to Harvey West Park, all the tents were set up in neat sections. Riders were haging out their freshly washed shorts in the cool evening air. I was ready for sleep. More tomorrow.

Day 2-Santa Cruz to King City

I found out yesterday that my picture was on the cover of the ride newspaper. I was interviewed for an article a couple months ago and that is what made the front page. It was a long and grueling ride-- long and very hot. I cycled over 106 miles and just crashed out when I finally made it to camp. I didn't call in my report until morning. The ride today should be much better, although it's already starting to heat up. KCLY, the TV station plans to meet me at the fairgrounds when we roll in for an interview so those of you who read this today (6/6) can probably see me tonight on the late news. More tomorrow.

Day 3-King City to Paso Robles

I'm making this call in from the "media tent" where some of us will be talking to the KCLY camera crew. They have drinks and snacks out for us which is a nice treat.

The ride was only 83 miles today but just as hot. Everything around Hunter Liggett has turned brown (California Gold). I'm happy to say I was able to climb the steepest hill of the ride this year. Last year I had to walk it part way.

Day 4-Paso Robles to Oceano

Yesterday was so relaxing. The ride over highway 46 was beautiful (halfway mark). People put up many signs to cheer us on. Cuesta College had a nice support stop. The San Luis Obispo Cycling Club was there. I was able to visit with friends. My own friends had put up several signs along the road for me (it made me all choked up). That night my husband Dave picked me up and I got to spend the night at home. I crashed at PM and slept for 9 hours straight. It rained and it looks like it will rain some more. I think I'm coming down with a cold and am not sure what to do next.

Day 5-Oceano to Lompoc

It rained all night. When I returned to the start of the ride, the rain was coming down in buckets. Being I wasn't feeling very well to begin with I decided to sag the trip for the day. That evening I took advantage of a massage and a session with the chiropractor. I still was feeling iffy so I went to the medic who gave me a treatment for my asthma and a prescription.

Day 6-Lompoc to Ventura

I woke up feeling good which encouraged me despite the fact I was taking medication. I cycled along, but around mile 12 I started coughing again. Further along on the way up a hill, I started to cough uncontrollably and had to stop.

I made the "thumbs down" sign and immediately flagged down four riders who came to my aid. They set about calming me down and helping me to breath through what turned into the worst asthma attack I've had in years. I was frightened, but somehow their kind help managed to ease me enough to start breathing again. I was sobbing. Thank God for the wonderful people around me. I was sagged up to the next stop and the medic put me in a nebulized and gave me inhalers. I felt much better, but the medic sent me on to the hospital just to be sure.

Needless to say, my riding for the day was over. Although the experience was scary and I was disappointed to have to stop riding, I was glad to meet the wonderful, giving people I did. I'm so lucky.

Tonight I will stay in a hotel in Ventura. In the morning I will see if the doctor will release me to ride the last leg of the ride into Los Angeles to the closing ceremonies.

Day 7-Ventura to Los Angeles (end of ride)

Unfortunately, the doctor wouldn't release me to ride the last bit. As I call this segment in, I'm sitting at the ride's end eating some good food and listening to music. I will stay for the ceremonies and spend the night back in Ventura. Tomorrow, home.