Wednesday Woody With a Bike Theme

GAY BIKING VACATIONS AND HOLIDAYS



Gay Outdoors



AIDS cycling event grosses $8 million

Nearly 2,000 cyclists on a weeklong trek from San Francisco to Los Angeles ended their journey Saturday after having raised a record $8 million to combat HIV/AIDS in California.

The participants in the fifth annual AIDS/LifeCycle crossed a finish line at the Department of Veterans Affairs near UCLA as crowds applauded their arrival.

"In this 25th year of the fight against AIDS, 2,200 participants took a week out of their lives to remind the world that AIDS deserves all our attention," said Mark Cloutier, executive director of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. "There are 150,000 Californians living with HIV and an expected 2,000 new infections this year. This money will fund services for those with HIV and support us in new innovative approaches to reduce HIV infections."
According to organizers, this year's ride attracted participants from 40 states and nine countries.




Why wait for Beijing 2008
to feed your need for Olympic-style competition? Chicago's hosting the Gay Games this summer, and you can score front-row seats for a song. In fact, with a few exceptions for the most popular sports and medal rounds, admission is free for spectators. Among the best bets: North Avenue Beach (1600 N. Lake Shore Drive), where sand-in-your-face seating for three days of volleyball (July 17-19) won't cost you a thing. Games run July 15-22. Event times and locations vary.