am grateful beyond words to have spoken for and to have participated in this years ACT III AIDS Ride, it was an honor indeed for me! I was a bit nervous that we would lose some of the bonding and 'trials' by shortening the ride this year to just over 300 miles and to 4 days. However, the love, passion, commitment, bonding, struggles, and sheer elation this year was spectacular and overwhelming  to say the least.  I am so proud to be a part of a community with a heart larger than the state itself. The ride this year brought caring and passionate people from Europe to Key West. We had a record number of riders as well as a record for funds raised. The top fund raiser was Mikos with $7,000. Our media here in Madison was beyond gracious in there coverage as well as their participation. We had two news anchors who rode this year. Others worked their asses off on crew. On day two of the ride, the riders, including the "most fit," literally got their asses handed to them on a platter as they struggled up hill after long grueling hill entering Mt. Horeb. Unfortunately many suffered some intense exhaustion, strains, knee troubles etc. I witnessed first hand, the most dedicated group of people I could ever care to be associated with in that one day alone. They never quit and faced the adversity, bearing in mind they were all there riding for one cause and for those they love who have passed or are still fighting bravely for their lives. They kept in mind that living with HIV/AIDS too, is 'like pedaling straight up hill' some days, and you want to quit but you don't. I was forever moved by their strength, courage and conviction and only hope I can face my own hills so gallantly. I was elated to reconnect with all the former riders and crew who I choose to call family, as well as to meet all the shiny new faces that graced us this year. The closing ceremonies were held again at the Capital Square in Madison. Mike McKinney of NBC 15 filled the crowd and riders alike, with a renewed sense of pride, purpose and passion that is indescribable. I wish I could freeze that day forever. Never minding his own struggles with cancer, he was selfless enough to crew again as well. He personally embodies the spirit of what the ACT rides strive to create. You are the true HERO Mike and the community of Madison is blessed to have you. I can't begin to write my gratitude to the riders, crew, steering committee and AIDS Network for allowing me to live a "slice of heaven" for four days this year.

Namaste you fearless Heroes!

Photos from the ride:

I can’t thank you all enough for creating and or participating in one of the most magical events one could experience. The ACT Rides are simply “A slice of heaven.”

For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Bob Bowers. I am a grateful client of AIDS Network and crew number 515 or more affectionately, “Your Check In Lady.” I have been living proudly with HIV/AIDS for the last 22 years!

I sincerely hope that witnessing the rider-less bike reminds each and every one of us exactly why we are here today. We are all here for the next four days for ONE common bond, to FIGHT AIDS and to honor our precious friends, loved ones and family members who we have sadly lost. We are also here because We are living proudly with HIV/AIDS or we know someone who is. We must not let go of these memories and hopes we cherish so deeply. Let them continue to drive us to lend our voice, face, ass, legs or all of the above to this disease. For the next four days, may we crew or pedal every mile of ACT III with great pride, purpose and passion. The fight inside that drives us here today must never die! We have far too much work to do in hopes of ever seeing a world that is free from HIV/AIDS.

Speaking of work, I am an HIV educator, activist and advocate. There is so very much I’d like to tell you about my adventures, but I don’t think I’d be asked back to speak for ACT 4. So, in short, I kindly remind you that over twenty years into this pandemic, we remain in a time of great ignorance, apathy and complacency! All the while, I’ve witnessed in my adventures, continued deaths, a $293 million dollar shortfall in HIV drug funding for the most needy, and a 10 billion dollar Medicare cut that affects us all. I've watched children taking their HIV medication through feeding tubes in their bellies because they can't stand or tolerate taking them orally. I have seen others who continue to fail treatment, entire families that continue to be ravaged, physically, emotionally and financially from this so-called ‘manageable’ disease! All of this, when in 2004 alone, nearly five million adults and children became infected with HIV and by the end of last year, an estimated 39.4 million people worldwide were living with HIV/AIDS. 2004 also saw more than three million deaths from this disease. In the United States there are over forty thousand new infections a year and Wisconsin has had nearly nine thousand HIV infections since 1982! This is a travesty at best!
This ride is a great opportunity to re energize that commitment and passion that I know we all have. Otherwise we wouldn’t all be here today!

With that said, I'm eternally grateful to AIDS Network for their support, the ACT rides and the community of Madison for giving me a voice and face for a cause I will never stop fighting for.

Even more importantly I'm deeply grateful to each and every one of you here today!

It is people like you that remind me why I am still alive and fighting!

It's people like you who are making a difference in your own lives and at the same time helping countless others who are bravely fighting HIV/AIDS and the challenges that they face on a daily basis.

It's people like you who lend great hope and inspiration to so many!

During our trainings for ACT III, we discussed the importance of anonymity for those you may encounter on the ride that are HIV positive. Sadly enough, this is vital. For me however, I think it’s safe to say I’m public. I am Bob Bowers and I have AIDS. I want this to be known, because I know I’m not alone and I hope by remaining public it will create compassion and safety for all people impacted by AIDS to lend their voice and face as well.

Together we can and will make a difference even if it's one aching mile at a time. Thank you again AIDS Network, the steering committee for asking me to speak today and to you, the ACT III riders and crew for lending your compassion to this cause and our community here in Madison. I say all of this with a heartfelt, THANK YOU!