Fixed-Gear Bikes – Fixed on ONE

Jun 18th, 2007 11:30 AM UTC
By Stephanie Handler, ONE Regional Field Organizer

Lisa Lestishock and Alfonso Estrada, of Oakland, CA, recently took the ONE Campaign to the open road, and through hundreds of towns, cities and communities in eight counties across California.

By bicycle.

They successfully completed the 6th AIDS/Lifecycle event in California, in which over 2,300 cyclists pedaled their bikes from San Francisco to Los Angeles, a total of 560 miles, over seven days, raising a record $11-Million for domestic HIV and AIDS related services provided by the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, and the LA Gay & Lesbian Center. In addition to supporting these organizations, Lisa and Alfie were both dedicated to increasing awareness of the ONE campaign during the event, and accomplished this by wearing the ONE logo every day of the ride.

“The jerseys we wore really invoked a lot of curiosity and inquiry about ‘the ONE thing’,” says Alfie. “Countless people — on the ride itself, at our campsites, and in the towns we visited — approached us and asked us about it, and we were happily prepared with the elevator speech that roused their interest in the movement. Possibly thousands more in all the places we rolled through saw the logo and the website address, so we hope to have inspired a lot of people during the week to learn about the campaign, sign the declaration and even get involved.”

As if by design, Alfie and Lisa also made a gutsy choice to complete this long journey on fixed gear bikes, which have only ONE gear that requires constant pedaling from start to finish, and denies the rider any ability to rest by freewheeling or coasting.

“It was definitely challenging, as riding the distance for seven days on any regular bike like all the others did on this journey was challenging enough,” says Lisa. “There were probably just four or five other riders out there with single-speed bikes, so people tended to notice when we were out there, which was great because it sort of cast a spotlight on the ONE message as well. As the week progressed, some recognition developed too, and people started calling us ‘the ONE guys’.”

“There were definitely people out there who also recognized the logo, already aware of or actively supporting the campaign, and it was great to receive their cheers and praise as they flashed their white bracelets,” Alfie says. “But the number of people who got information about the campaign for the first time from us really outnumbered them, so I feel happy knowing we successfully educated many in a highly captive environment about ONE. And we succeeded in bringing important international issues and opportunities to light while supporting local and regional causes we care deeply about.”

Read more about their experience and the AIDS/Lifecycle event.

TAGS: The ONE Blog