Want to meet the pedal pushers behind UTAC Velo?

Come join us this Saturday at 4:00 pm at Jen’s house! Email me jen@teamutac.com for details! Then Sunday join us for a nice long ride up the coast to Oxnard and back!
SoCal: Team UTAC, Yoga Up The Coast, The LONG Way.
Lululemon Athletica, Brentwood
Meet Time: 7:45AM
Ride-Out Time: 8:30AM
Miles: 35 or 75 miles
Category: 2 = Moderate Pace (10-12mph)
Terrain: 2 = Rolling Hills
Rain Policy: Rain Cancels

Description:

Join UTAC VELO and our friends at the fabulous Lululemon Athletica in Brentwood! We will meet at 7:45 for an early dose of yoga and stretching! Then we saddle up and ride north on the scenic PCH to Cross Creek, How’s Market, and finally Oxnard…then we turn it around and fly back down the coast! Don’t forget water and snacks, 2 extra tubes, tire irons and either a pump or CO2 kit. Be sure to eat a good breakfast and bring 2 full water bottles…one with plain H2O and the other with the electrolyte replacement beverage of your choosing. 🙂

Co-leader 1: Jen Moore
Co-leader 2: Mark Botello
Co-leader 3: Gordon Duvall

Date: Sunday, March 28, 2010
Time: 7:45 AM
Address:
1920 West San Vicente Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90049
United States

Please Join Us to Honor Paul Serchia

Paul Serchia Celebration Ride
Lululemon Athletica

Meet Time: 7:45AM
Ride-Out Time: 8:30AM
Miles: 50 miles
Category: 2 = Moderate Pace (10-12mph)
Terrain: 3 = Rolling Hills with some steep climbs
Rain Policy: Rain Cancels

Description:

Please come and join us as we celebrate the life of our late friend Paul Serchia. Paul was an amazing human being and dedicated AIDS/LifeCycle participant. As a Positive Pedaler, Paul was an inspiration and example for the entire AIDS/LifeCycle community. As a person, Paul met life and all of his challenges head on with determination, a gentle grace and a sense of humor that made us laugh out loud. Please visit Paul’s BLOG and get to know this amazing man.

We will meet at 7:45 for Yoga conducted by our good friends at Lululemon Athletica after which we will saddle up and ride 50 miles to honor Paul’s memory and celebrate his courageous life. If you knew him, bring your favorite “Paul stories” and if you didn’t know him…well, be prepared to hear about one of the true heroes who walked among us.

Co-leader 1: Brian Hodes
Co-leader 2: Dave Marez
Co-leader 3: Gordon Duvall
Co-leader 4: Mark Botello
Co-leader 5: Jen Moore

Date: Sunday, March 14, 2010
Time: 7:45 AM
Address:
4719 Commons Way
Calabasas, CA 91302
United States

Team Member Spotlight: Dave Marez!

ALC 7

Dave Marez has been with UTAC Velo since it’s inception. As a second year rider Dave was seeking a team that put acceptance and inclusiveness as a priority. Two years later Dave is a stronger and faster rider than he ever imagined. Dave is now an official Training Ride Leader and has been the focus of multiple newspaper articles in the Latino community. As if riding one huge event this June wasn’t enough Dave is celebrating his 50th birthday by also riding In the Nor Cal AIDS Challenge in May!

Please visit Dave’s AIDS/Lifecycle page and read on to learn more about why Dave rides!

From June 6-12, 2010 i’ll be participating in my 4th consecutive AIDS Life Cycle Bike Ride. It’s a physically and emotionally grueling 7-day, 545 plus mile bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles.

All 2,500 cyclist must raise a $3,000 minimum in order to participate in this fundraising event. The money raised is used for HIV/AIDS Services.

All 2500 cyclist ride for our own reasons. Here are some of mines:
– I lost my brother Robert in April 2004 to HIV/AIDS.
– Living in San Francisco from 1982-2002, I’ve lost so many friends to HIV/AIDS. This disease has taken a whole generation from us.
– To help those in need of housing, medication and daily needs.
– In December 2009 I celebrated my 12th year anniversary with my domestic partner Jesse.
– On April 18, 2010 i’m celebrating the big FIVE-Zero and I felt what better way of giving back?

I’m dedicating my ride to each and every name listed below. These are sons, brothers, uncles, cousins, nephews, loved ones that have succumber to HIV/AIDS (may they never be forgotten?): Robert Marez, Carlos Ramirez, Roy Muao, Ronnie Salazar, Steve Keller, Fernando Cuevas, Anthony Ramos, Sylvester James, Bobbi Campbell, David John, Bruce Eshner, Johnny Wrice, Cal Stephans, Taft Waters, Ed Dresser, Jesus Negron, Calvin Taylor, Charles Gipson, David Arimendez, Jimmy Cullen, Dennis Claiborne, Charles Tolbert, Jerry Moyer, Tony Gonzalez, Tino Sustaya, Fred Hayes, Gina Gypsy Calibreeze. And friends of friends Brian Plymale, Kevin Coad and Eddie O’Neill.

And two weeks before this ride, May 20th – 23rd, I’ll be participating in my 1st ever Nor Cal AIDS Challenge. It’s a 4-day, 330-mile bike ride that leaves Folsom (we’ll ride through Yolo County, Colusa, Lake Counties, Yuba City, Marysville, Gridley, Williams, Woodland, Winters, Davis, West Sacramento, Afton) and we’ll arrive at the State Capitol in Sacramento. All funds raised benefit Sacramento and surrounding area residents living with HIV/AIDS.

There is alot of preparing for both of these rides and countless hours of training involved. But I strongly believe in both of these organizations that’s why I’m giving my unlimited time and effort towards them.

Together we can make the difference in someones life. Please join me by donating to either one of these great causes. Both rides are tax deductible.

Your First Half Century Ride!

SoCal: Team UTAC, Your First Half Century Lululemon Athletica

Meet Time: 7:45AM
Ride-Out Time: 8:30AM
Miles: 50 miles
Category: 2 = Moderate Pace (10-12mph)
Terrain: 3 = Rolling Hills with some steep climbs
Rain Policy: Rain Cancels

Description:

Okay, boys and girls, here it is!!  Back by popular demand – here is a great opportunity to establish a milestone in your training for the Big Ride in June, YOUR FIRST HALF CENTURY!!  We will meet at Lululemon Athletica in Calbasas for some proper stretching and yoga.  After, we will hit the road and pedal around what is perhaps some of the most beautiful areas in Southern California.  Wide dedicated bike lanes and a minimum of stop lights allow us to ride at a pace comfortable for YOU!  You know you want to…and we really want you to!!  Some come out and join your friends at UTACvelo for a great ride.  As always, NO RIDER IS EVER LEFT BEHIND.  Stick around afterward and join us for lunch to celebrate your accomplishment!!

Co-leader 1: Jen Moore
Co-leader 2: Dave Marez
Co-leader 3: Gordon Duvall
Co-leader 4: Mark Botello
Co-leader 5: Ana Becerra
Co-leader 6: Kerry Castillo

Route Support: Gin Munoz

Date: Sunday, February 21, 2010
Time: 7:45 AM
Address:
4719 Commons Way
Calabasas, CA 91302
United States

Featured Team Member Brendan Patrick!

Brendan Rides Alaska!
Join Him On This Amazing Journey

Thank you for your involvement! Enter Donation Amount Here: *Currency shown: US Dollar $ My Fundraising Goal: $3,200.00 Money Raised to Date: $200.00 If you are unable to donate online, please print out a donation form.

Join me in my efforts to support The Alaska Ride! Hello Possums! 12 years after my first AIDS Ride I’m ready for the Big Daddy: Alaska. I’ll be traveling by bike from Fairbanks to Anchorage. In between? DENALI. Yeah, we’ll be climbing. A LOT. This is far more challenging than anything I’ve done before, so I’m asking you to open your wallets and honor my commitment. C’mon, you know you want to! To learn more about me and my journey, visit my website, BrendansWildRide.com for regular updates. And I’m BrendanPatrick on Twitter and Facebook (friend me!) Thank you for your years of support. Love, Brendan P.S. The money I raise on the Alaska Ride goes right to the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center’s AIDS and HIV services. Cool!

Meet Brendan

	Picture it: Encino Hospital, 1971. A golden haired baby boy came into this world during a commercial break in the Captain and Tenille Show. They called the little baby Brendan, and took him home to begin his avocado-green and harvest-gold life in Northridge, California.
Soon after, baby Damon joined the family, and they became the American Dream. Two kids, a dog (Hugo), a Country Squire station wagon… the whole shebang. But Brendan grew up marching to the beat of his own drummer, and always felt like he was different. Though he struggled to find himself socially, Brendan excelled in school and consistently made the honor roll.
	Towards the end of high school, Brendan met his lifelong best friend, Eliott. Eliott helped Brendan to “come out” and the two became inseperable. The two friends developed a special love for Idyllwild, California, where Eliott owns a cabin and their friends often gather.
It was Eliott who first introduced Brendan to cycling and the AIDS Ride charity bike-a-thon. After nearly losing a dear friend to AIDS in 1997, Brendan signed up for the AIDS Ride to celebrate that friend’s recovery. Little did Brendan know that the Ride would become such a huge part of his life.
	In 2001, Brendan purchased a flower shop on Encino’s tony Ventura Boulevard. It was a hectic business, but Brendan loved the crazy pace and the constant creativity. Focusing on weddings and events, Brendan’s business quickly “blossomed”, and before long he had a staff of five. In fact business got so good that Brendan recruited his Mom and Dad to help run the place.
Though it’s always a challenge for Brendan to find the time and the money (especially at the same time), he loves to travel. Thanks to his Dad, who dragged him around for months at a time, Brendan has visited 44 of the United States as well as much of Europe and Asia. His favorite city? “Paris!”, Brendan exclaims. This Francophile hopes to visit again this summer for the Tour de France.
	During his first AIDS Ride experience, Brendan discovered that he’d tapped into something amazing… a community… a cause… a passion… And he was hooked! Right away he registered for the following summer’s event, and that year, cycling, the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, and the fight against AIDS/HIV became integral parts of Brendan’s life.
Ten years have passed now since Brendan’s first AIDS Ride. The name has changed – it’s now the AIDS/LifeCycle – but Brendan is as active in the Ride community as ever, and continues to be deeply passionate about the incredible things AIDS/LifeCycle achieves. Not only does Brendan raise money and ride; he is now a volunteer training ride leader for the event, leading weekly rides out of the San Fernando Valley, his lifelong home.
	Brendan gets a big kick out of telling people where he was born. “Yeah,” explains Brendan, “I was born about a mile from here”. After attending college in Santa Cruz, living in his swingin’ West Hollywood condo, and a brief stint in a vintage Hollywood duplex, Brendan realized that the Valley, is in fact, home. “I can always find a parking space out here,” he jokes.
In addition to his many training rides, Brendan also represents AIDS/LifeCycle at many community outreach events, like the one pictured here. You can also find him volunteering at the “ALC” office in the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center several times a month. He invites his friends to join him. “They rely heavily on volunteers, so please come help out,” he explains.
	Brendan is currently developing a new website, BrendanPatrick.com, to showcase his floral design and event management. He works as a freelance designer from his home in the San Fernando Valley.Brendan can be reached by email at brendan@brendanpatrick.com.

Yoga Up The Coast!

SoCal: Team UTAC Yoga Up The Coast Lululemon Athletica, Brentwood

Meet Time: 7:45AM
Ride-Out Time: 8:30AM
Miles: 30 or 48 miles
Category: 2 = Moderate Pace (10-12mph)
Terrain: 1 = Mostly Flat
Rain Policy: Rain Cancels

Description:

Here we go!!  What a great wat to get your training going.  Join Team UTAC and our friends at Lululemon Athletica for an early morning yoga stretching session before we embark on our ride up the coast.  Our meet time is a little bit earlier than normal to allow for a good 1/2 hour yoga session.  We will then sadlle up and ride up through Malibu on PCH, enjoying all the the beautiful views of the Pacific.  Please remember that riding along PCH can be dangerous and all cyclists should always ride safely and with caution.  Team UTAC welcomes all skill levels and NO RIDER IS EVER LEFT BEHIND.

Co-leader 1: Jen Moore
Co-leader 2: Dave Marez

Helen’s Cycles & Hincapie for Haiti

Helen’s Cycles

Helen’s & Hincapie for Haiti

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On Sunday, January 31st at 9:30am, Helen’s Cycles and current US National Road Race Champion George Hincapie will join forces to raise funds for the Haitian Earthquake Relief effort.

A donation of $25.00 will get you a spot in the “peloton” with George Hincapie and your fellow cyclists for approximately a one hour spin through Santa Monica and Brentwood. Donations of $50.00 or more enables you to keep your spot in the “peloton” for an additional two hours of riding.

Check In will begin at 8:30am at Helen’s Cycles in Santa Monica. Please bring your donation receipt and identification to the registration area in order to receive your ride bracelet. All riders must have a bracelet in order to participate in the ride.

Helen’s Cycles will donate $10.00 for each donation made. All proceeds will go directly to Partners in Health, a national physicians organization dedicated to providing medical care to those most in need. A local surgical team associated with Partners in Health is now in Haiti assisting victims of the recent earthquake.

Helmets will be required to be worn during the ride.

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This item is not permitted to be shipped, however it can be purchased online and picked up at your convenience.

UTACVelo and Bike Improve! January 24th

UTACvelo, Da Hills in Da Hood Bike Improve

Meet Time: 9:00AM
Ride-Out Time: 9:30AM
Miles: 29 miles
Category: 2 = Medium Pace (10-12mph)
Terrain: 3 = Rolling hills with some steep extended climbs
Rain Policy: Rain Cancels

Description:

Come join your friends at UTACvelo and Bike Improve as we climb Sepulveda.  This ride is a great beginners climbing ride.  We will start off at a nice easy pace for our warm up before the fist climb starts.  After a fun descent (watch that downhill speed…ride carefully), we’ll regroup at the Whole Foods in the Valley and enjoy a quick bite before our return to Bike Improve.  Meet Nir Tal, owner of Bike Improve and voted beck bicycle mechanic in LA in 2007.

In addition BH Bicycles will be on hand for you to demo some of the new bike models for 2010.  If you wish to demo a BH Bicycle on this ride you need to plan to arrive NO LATER THAN 8:45AM.  Please use the RSVP button below to email the facilitating Training Ride Leader so that you can reserve a bike for this ride.

This will be a VERY fun and easy going ride.  Don’t let those “hills” scare you.  Now is the time to make sure you are preparing for those hills you will encounter on your way to LA from SF!  Your certified Training Ride Leaders will be right there to help you and NO RIDER IS EVER LEFT BEHIND.

Co-leader 1: Brian Hodes
Co-leader 2: Jen Moore
Co-leader 3: Gordon Duvall

RSVP brian@gr8shots.com please!

Night at the Museum!

AIDS/LifeCycle’s A Night at the Museum Natural History Museum

A Night at the Museum!

Join us for A Night at the Museum
AIDS/LifeCycle’s annual kick-off party!

2010 marks the 9th anniversary of AIDS/LifeCycle, which raises millions of dollars each year to support the vital HIV/AIDS-related services of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center.

The ride is an incredible, life-changing journey for 3,000 caring, compassionate and adventurous folks—ranging in age from 18 to 81—who are just like you.

A Night at the Museum is a FREE party where you’ll enjoy:

• Free admission to the museum (African Mammal and North American Mammal Halls)
• Discounted ALC 9 registration fee
• Free hors d’oeuvres and drinks
• Live entertainment
• $5,000 in prizes, including new bicycles!

You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with veteran and new participants, learn about ALC’s free training program to prepare you for the event, understand what’s required to participate, and hear moving stories from individuals who benefit from the event.

Thinking about riding for your first time?  Don’t miss this event!

Can’t join us for the live event?  Attend our VIRTUAL PARTY!

Date: Saturday, January 16, 2010
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Address:
900 Exposition Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90007

If you’d like to attend this event you can RSVP online.

Once you have reservations, you can still click Sign Me Up to increase or decrease the number of people in your party (subject to availability).

http://www.tofighthiv.org/site/Calendar/1773778453?view=Detail&id=134401

Happy New Year!

Ok a few days late admittedly! However UTAC Velo and friends were lucky enough to bring in the new year with a ride from Brentwood up PCH to Trancas in Malibu and back! We rode with new and old friends and had a great time! I have to say I feel very fortunate to be able to spend the day on my bike with good friends. No complaints here!

So what is new for UTAC Velo in 2010? There is definitely a “more of the same” in certain aspects. We’ll repeat our succeses with rides and fundraisers. We’ll be looking to into new partnerships and oppurtunities to raise money for our various rides and beneficiaries. This Thursday evening January 7 a small component of dedicated team  members will be getting together to brainstorm and plan. I’m very much looking forward to it.

January 24th we’ll be partnering with BikeImprove to host a training ride and test rides of BH bikes. More to come soon! I hope you are all doing well and look forward to seeing you on the road very soon!