Photos: Ride For Your Lives

Thousands of cyclists joined the AIDS/LifeCycle ride through Malibu this Saturday, a 545 mile, seven-day bike ride, beginning in San Francisco and ending in Los Angeles. Cyclists dressed in colorful attire and accessories to match the theme of their team—including colorful feathered helmets, devil horns, bears, butterflies, fairies and more. 

Riders biked or walked up the steep hill on PCH past Zuma Beach to the corner of Heathercliff Road, to indulge in sweet treats at the unofficial “Chocolate Stop” where Lisa Bennett continued her 14-year tradition, passing out chocolate and water to enthusiastic cyclists.

“As a two-time veteran rider and three-time roadie, I was no longer able to take a week off from my new teaching career to participate. I chose to begin the unofficial chocolate stop,” Bennett shared. “I am not affiliated in any way with ALC—this gesture comes from my heart and that of my wife and other friends who have joined me over the years.” 

New Bear Republic joined the fun, cheering riders on. This year, AIDS/LifeCycle raised 16.6 million dollars.

A cyclist poses for a photograph while passing by the Chocolate Stop, an unofficial rest area along the AIDS/LifeCycle bike route.

AIDS/LifeCycle team New Bear Republic—Victor Phillips, Curtis Bass, Will Finkle, Jeff Meyer and Chris Fava—pose for a quick shot at the top of the hill just past Zuma Beach.

A rider signals to others before approaching the Chocolate Stop at Heathercliff and PCH.

AIDS/LifeCycle former rider and roadie Lisa Bennett hugs a friend at the Chocolate Stop at of Heathercliff Road and PCH, while longtime AIDS/LifeCycle volunteer Louis Paturzo hands out chocolates to those riding by.

Michelle Matlin and Valerie Nehus (“Irish Twin Sweep”) stop by Malibu Country Mart to wrangle bikers stopping for snacks, encouraging them to head on down the highway toward the finish line in Los Angeles.

AIDS/LifeCycle former rider and roady Lisa Bennett, continues her fourteen year tradition of passing out chocolate and water at the unofficial “Chocolate Stop”, top of Heathercliff Rd. and Pacific Coast Highway, joined by volunteers Louis Paturzo, Mary Cote and Cindy Buchholz cheering riders on.

Twenty-four year AIDS/LifeCycle rider Ken Thomason, a.k.a. “Chicken Lady,” surprises AIDS/LifeCycle riders and crew with colorful eggs that contain notes of encouragement and a Lifesaver mint.

After many days on the road, AIDS/LifeCycle riders decide to walk their bike on PCH, up the steep hill toward Heathercliff Rd., on Saturday morning.

AIDS/LifeCycle riders