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They participated in the event
and talk about Tracy:
LORRI
L. JEAN, L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center:
Day 4: Another person who got a standing ovation tonight
was internationally renowned singer/songwriter Tracy
Chapman. As a rider on this event, she has been
out there pedaling with the best of them. Her celebrity
status has not made her immune to the need for butt
balm, the use of porta potties, Gatorade or any of the
other exciting accoutrements of the ride. Nor has she
expected special treatment. Instead, she has been enormously
gracious to cyclists and roadies all along the route.
Tonight, even after the LONG day of riding, when she
probably would much rather have been sleeping to prepare
for tomorrow, she agreed to perform. She talked about
her experience as a cyclist, about the friends she has
lost to AIDS, about the need to do what we can to fight
this epidemic, and then she sang several songs, including
Give Me One Reason, Talkin'Bout A Revolution, and Stand
By Me, all to the tremendous delight of the crowd.
After Tracy finished singing, I don't think I've ever
seen a camp empty as fast as this one did. People headed
directly for their tents, leaving only the volunteer
crew and staff to continue with all the work that is
necessary to support the cyclists tonight and tomorrow.
After 4 days of cycling, spirits may be high but bodies
are tired, be they young, old, or somewhere in between.
FERNANDO
"ROMAN", SF Cyclist #2221:
Day
5: "So last night, we got one of the best surprises
… Tracy Chapman, who is actually riding
this year, gave a live concert for us. It was amazing
… I wish there were more people like her making
these journeys and contributions, as they do make a
difference. She shared some words, and in her own gentle
yet powerful way, made us all feel a part of what she
was feeling, and the emotions that brought her to the
ride. We were all overwhelmed and the soft melodies
rang across the park. It was a good night."
TOM
KUNZE, LA Cyclist #6170:
Day
6: "Most of the morning was contemplative as I
reviewed my list of all the special things from this
week. I asked my fellow riders what made their experience
this week, what one moment, what one thing that would
stay with them after the ride. The list is here.
1.
Rest stop 1 team saving a cow delivering a stillborn
calf when the farmer and vet were not available.
2.
Tracy Chapman riding, singing and sitting down
with riders saying, “Hi, my name is Tracy, what’s
your name?"
3.
The chick with the megaphone hiding in the bushes on
the various hills playing songs and dancing to get riders
up the hills. I stopped today to meet her. Her name
is Elaine.
[...]"
GILBERT
MIXON, LA Cyclist #6094:
Day
4 : "...After dinner the entire camp was treated
to a mini concert by Tracy Chapman, who is also
riding this year. She provided not only great music,
but also excellent commentary on why she is riding."
PAUL
GOLDIE, LA Cyclist #6211:
Just wanted to thank Tracy for doing the Aidslifecycle3
Bike ride with us from San Fran to LA this past week.
Tracy rode side by side with the other 1200 heros riding
the almost 600 miles to help people with AIDS. After
a day of hard riding Tracy found the strength to entertain
us at camp, singing several songs to a very happy and
grateful bunch of riders and crew members. Tracy's being
there showed the world that AIDS can touch anyone and
everyone. Thank you Tracy for being there and giving
the other riders the strength to climb the hills and
ride for hours upon hours each day!!! Rider number 6211.
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