AIDS/Lifecycle / California AIDS Ride. | A 540-Mile Bike Ride Saved My Life [1994]

In 1994, Tony Eason realized that there was more to life than:  guzzling alcohol, snorting cocaine, ingesting ecstasy, speaking of what others need to work on, and/or bathing in self-pity. 

Therefore, he put down the cocaine and embarked on a 540-mile, 7-day, bike ride titled California AIDS Ride sponsored by Tangeray #2; created by Dan Pallota & Pallota Teamworks.

Presently, Tony Eason has completed twenty bike rides from San Francisco to Los Angeles, CA. [now titled AIDS/Lifecycle].

From a cocaine addict to a cyclist, to a yoga teacher, to a marathon runner, to a swimmer, it all began from that first step!

Listen to how the cycling journey changed the course of Tony Eason's Life.

If you would like to read more about Tony Eason's twenty AIDS/Lifecycle / California AIDS Bike Ride Experiences - click here: http://ynottony.com/ynot/aidslifecycle/

 

Ynot Truth Podcast Website: http://ynottruth.com

Tony Eason Website: http://ynottony.com

 

 

Episode Transcript

(00:02):
At the age of 32,

a friend suggested (00:04):
Sitting in the nude and Staring into a mirror.
So for 10 minutes, I did exactly that. And after staring at my face,
arms,
stomach,
eyes,
feet and legs,
I realized the mirror reflection did not match up with the words pouring out of my mouth.

(00:34):
I realized that there was more to life than guzzling alcohol,
snorting cocaine, ingesting ecstasy,
speaking of what others need to work on, and bathing and self-pity.
Therefore,

(00:55):
I stopped hanging out at The End Up.
I put down the cocaine. And, I searched out a healthier community of friends.
Days later while walking the streets of San Francisco,

I viewed a flyer for California AIDS Ride #2 [now titled (01:14):
AIDS/Lifecycle],
a 540-mile, 7-day bike event sponsored by Tangeray.

Immediately I thought (01:30):
I can cycle from San Francisco to Los Angeles,
I can improve my physical health & I can support the programs of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation.
In the following weeks, I began my first training ride.

(01:54):
I rode my Trek Antelope bike for one mile,
[which nearly killed me].
Yet with perseverance and fortitude,
after four weeks, I pedaled seven miles.
After eight weeks I pedaled 21 miles to Sausalito and back. After which, my self-confidence grew. And then I began to participate in group rides offered by the California AIDS Ride community.

(02:36):
Over time, I was able to cycle 45 miles,
then 60 miles,
then 75 miles. And finally, I was able to endure 100-mile bike rides,

(02:59):
At which point, I felt I was physically ready for my ride.
However,
financially,
I was not,
You see;
In order to participate in the California AIDS ride;

(03:21):
cyclists were required to fundraise an approximate $1,500 minimum.
If one failed to raise the fundraising minimum,
one could not participate in the event.
Now, some participants possessed wealth. Therefore easily they themselves could donate $1,500. While other participants [like myself] lived paycheck to paycheck.

(04:03):
Therefore,
I had to rely on donations from others.
I organized several bake sales and flower sales.
I sold 8 x 10 nude images of myself.
I auctioned off donated material. And, I humbly accepted contributions from friends,

(04:31):
family and strangers. And thanks to a large contribution from Susan Foord Catering,
I successfully raised the 1500 minimum to participate.

(04:52):
In May 1994, I arrived at the start line of the California AIDS Ride #2. And as I navigated my way through Pier #3,
a big smile stretched across my face.

I realized (05:11):
I did it.
I gave up cocaine.
I immersed myself in a community of healthy individuals.
I persevered through physical pain & psychological doubt.

(05:32):
I raised $1500 in the support of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. And, I changed the "impossible" to the "I'm Possible."
Yet another challenge appeared.

(05:55):
You see; being that I lived paycheck to paycheck,
I arrived at the start line with only $3 in my pocket.
I had no hotel accommodations awaiting my arrival in Los Angeles. ,

(06:17):
And I had no plane, train, or bus ticket for my return to San Francisco.
Yet, I remember the story from the book "Autobiography of A Yogi."

(06:37):
In the story, Paramahansa Yogananda's guru sent him on a journey.
His guru insisted he traveled with no money,
His guru insisted he asked no one for assistance.
Paramahansa Yogananda was instructed to rely on his faith of a greater power. And therefore, I followed suit.

(07:17):
With the faith that things would work out; I began my journey.
Day#1,
envisioning the tour de France,
I cycled from Fort Mason to Harvey West Park Santa cruz 88.1 miles.

(07:39):
Day #2, feeling sore as fuck.I cycled from Santa Cruz to San Lorenzo Park,
King City 101.9 miles.
Day #3, although pumped up on 1200g Ibproben,

(08:00):
I cycled from King City to Mid State Fairgrounds Paso Robles 74.9 mi.
Day #4, with fortitude, I cycled from Paso Robles to Oceano Airport, Oceano

(08:22):
69.8 miles.
Day #5, like a gazelle,
I cycled from Oceano to River Park, Lompoc 54.4 miles.

(08:42):
Day #6.
Anticipating the end of this journey,
I cycled from Lompoc to San Buenaventura State Beach, Ventura 77.2 miles.

(09:08):
Day #7, enduring five flat tires, I cycled from Ventura to Exposition Park, Los Angeles.
And
after receiving the finisher T-shirt,
I sat on the curb and witnessed fellow cyclists greeting friends and family.
And then, I began to cry.

(09:34):
After all,
I had $3 in my pocket & no place to go.
Minutes later I heard someone call out my name.
And as I turned to look, I noticed a friend,
The friend offered me a place to rest my head & sponsored my plane flight home.

(10:07):
Days later in san Francisco, I understood the objective of the California AIDS ride founder, Dan Pallotta.
You see the vision of Dan Pallota & Pallota Team Works
Was to change the world.
First; by helping people see beyond the limits they had placed on themselves.

(10:34):
Second; by helping people see beyond the limits they have placed on the world And third; by spreading the simple power of human kindness.
Thank you Dan Pallota!

(10:54):
Mission accomplished