Bill Paige Robert Gitterman and Ed Allum
Aids Life Cycle is a 545 mile trek for a good cause. Today I am talking with Ed Allum a ride participant about why he wants to do this ride, and what it meas to him. If you want to learn more about Aids Life Cycle you can visit http://www.aidslifecycle.org/. Ed and his fellow riders are planning an AIDS Lifecycle Fundraiser on Thursday, May 19, 2011, at Cowboy Country in Long Beach. Doors open at 5:45 for an evening of country music (mostly!), line dancing, 2-stepping, drink specials and fun! Line dance lessons at 6pm.
1. Tell me a little about yourself… what are your day jobs?
(Ed Allum) I’m a Manager, Supply Chain Logistics, at Kenwood USA Corporation, with a passion for life in general. Best times spent out with family/friends and laughing ’til you can’t breathe. I love to move and I’m crazy about the outdoors so cycling is a perfect fit for my personality. A little reserved to start but once you get to know me, you’re hard pressed keeping me quiet. I could spend hours talking about all of the different forests of trees, the vineyards and ocean views we’ll see… The AIDS/Lifecycle event is a working vacation, no doubt, but from what better vantage point can you enjoy the beauty of California than from the saddle of your bike… I’ll add that as a Training Ride Leader for the event, I especially love working with people that are starting from scratch and my getting to watch them improve, grow stronger and ride SAFER!!!
2. Why is this ride of personal importance in your life?
(Ed Allum) I have to say my first time out on this adventure it was all about whether or not I could prepare myself mentally and physically – Riding 545 miles from SF to LA is not exactly a walk in the park. However, my reasons for coming back over this five year journey were somewhat unexpected. While we’re on the ride, we’re surrounded by a community of about 5,000 people from, very literally, every walk of life and for those seven days, we live in full support of one another and our common purpose; we’re quick to offer a hand or a smile or just the right amount of encouragement while someone’s knocking out hills the likes of “Quad Buster or The Evil Twins.” For one week, there’s an obvious focus, less on what makes each of us so different, more about how each of us can make a difference in other people’s lives – You can’t do this ride and not walk away with a sense you just experienced genuine “community.” It’s a pretty awesome thing…
3. How many times have you done this ride?
(Ed Allum) This will be my 4th time riding – I tried my hand as a “Roadie,” on the Gear & Tent Team, on the ALC8 event (had a complete BLAST) but my heart is so much into the cycling side I had to get back on my bike.
4. How much money do you hope to raise on this ride.
(Ed Allum) I rolled over my $3,000 minimum goal this week (Yeah!!!), however, I’ll continue to raise money through the end of May. Our beneficiaries are the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the LA Gay & Lesbian Center. Together, these organizations have been leaders in the fight against AIDS since the very first cases reported 30 years ago and have been modeled after in creating testing, education and treatment policy across the globe. Another of our beneficiaries many measures of success is that 63-65% of every dollar raised goes directly to paying for much needed HIV/AIDS services . Over the last four years, together we’ve raised in excess of $44 million.
5. What is the event that you guys are planning at Cowboy Country?
(Ed Allum) I originally partnered with DJ Rosa, the promoter at Cowboy Country, four years ago; she invited me to use the venue in support of my efforts with AIDS/Lifecycle and to help generate much needed foot traffic at the club so we’d be able to keep the doors open long term (1st and 3rd Thursday of every month). Over the last three years we’ve raised in excess of $4,500 through raffle ticket sales alone and thanks to DJ Rosa and the generous giveaways donated by several Long Beach/Lakewood/Cerritos business owners, we’ve been able to do that with very little overhead. I’ve since combined efforts with Bill Paige and Robert Gitterman; we had a very successful garage sale earlier this season and we’ll be co-hosting the upcoming event on May 19, 2011.
6. What inspires you to ride?
(Ed Allum) I’m proud to be a part of something that can play such an important part in people’s lives; whether it be helping to provide free or discounted medical or mental health services, educational programs and/or community outreach. I’m committed to the fundraising side of the equation but that part is a struggle for me (I genuinely dislike asking people for money) so to mix things up a bit, I often spin my events to the awareness end. I’ve partnered with the Long Beach Health & Human Services, in years past, providing information about HIV/AIDS and SAFER sex. We’ve handed out condoms and dental dams and have provided opportunity for people to do on-site confidential risk assessments, etc. At this year’s event we’ll make it about Bike Maintenance – This is the part where Graham and his “wrenches” from Pedal Movement will play such a cool part in everything – We’re so hoping people take advantage of the opportunity and bring their bikes with them for their FREE 15-minute tune up… I’ve met several of your guys – They’re knowledgeable and very easy to talk to – A perfect fit!!!
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