It seems like a lifetime ago that I was a 13-year-old scoffing at my father who just walked into the room for the first time with his freshly shaven legs. See, he had just gotten a new mountain bike and had started racing. I laughed it off for a while, but flash forward a couple years, and there I was with freshly shaven legs, goofy outfits, and racing bikes.

I spent the next ten years obsessed with bikes. Traveling, racing, learning, and working in bikes shops. I was fortunate to have a father who literally drove me around the country, treated me like a peer, and taught me everything I know. He taught me how to race bikes, how to be dedicated, and that no matter how old you get farts will always be funny. I was fortunate to have a mother who listened to me ramble about new bike technology even though she had no idea what I was talking about. She even tolerated me anxiously riding my bike down the hallways when winter lasted a little too long (don't tell her about the time I successfully rode my bike down the front stairway though).

Mountain bikes lead to road bikes, and road bikes to track bikes. I got pretty fast, especially on the track. While I was decently fast, I started to realize that I wasn't fast enough. That is a hard concept to wrap your head around at 17. A couple years later I moved to California, worked in bikes shops, but lost touch with riding bikes. I had never ridden bikes for fun, only to race. I didn't know how to go out and ride just for the ride. So much of my focus was on riding bikes fast.

Many years later with a job that I love but does not always lead to the most healthy lifestyle, I realized I needed a hobby. I started playing squash and loved it, but I found scheduling to be difficult with a partner. As my wedding approached, I was 150 pounds and pacing around the house. After the dust settled and we were back from Greece with a tan and even fatter I realized it was time.

Through the good grace of some amazing people, I found myself back on the bike with fresh new kit, and a sweet ride. I met some amazing people and discovered that I absolutely love Los Angeles. Never in my life have I encountered such amazing riding. I set out for challenges larger than I had ever set my eyes on. With my new found sense of freedom, I started riding for the challenge and the company rather than the speed.

Tomorrow morning I am waking up for an FTP test (riding as hard as I absolutely can for 20 minutes), not because I am racing but because my body has become my project. I want to have to see myself evolve into a stronger physical and mental person. I stand 15 pounds lighter than on my wedding day. I stand 20 years happier because of the friends I have made and the pride I take in my dedication.

In June I set out to ride 549 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles. This is a ride for a cause, and a ride to remind me that bikes are for fun and even though I am getting faster, this still has to be for fun. The Aids/Lifecycle ride is all about reminding people how precious life is. I will be riding for the people we have lost, the people who can't ride, and for the people who have not yet started.

http://www.tofighthiv.org/site/TR/Events/AIDSLifeCycleCenter?px=3368616&pg=personal&fr_id=2050

Your support means the word. Every dollar truly makes a difference. Please donate if you can, and never forget that two wheels equals freedom, farts are always funny, and let's never forget how lucky we all are.

- Pete