Participant Profile: JoAnn Alafriz
“I would tell first-year riders to reach out, honestly. You don’t even have to know the person you’re reaching out towards. Ask anybody if you have those questions, hesitations, or concerns. People are going to help you, and if they can’t, they will direct you to someone you can. We’re just a very open group of people and we want you to love the Bike Rally, to do well, and to succeed.”
JoAnn Alafriz is a seasoned Bike Rally Rider and Crew member, after having volunteered as an acupuncturist during her first year. This time around, she has taken up the mantle of being part of the Steering Committee, and in particular, as one of those responsible for Community Engagement in Toronto. During our time together, she had many stories to share, and it was her reflections and memories that genuinely caused us to ‘wish we had been there,’ in earnest. For an insider-look at Bike Rally life on the road, and all the nitty-gritty that goes with it, read on!
As with each of the participants we’ve had the privilege to speak with so far, we really wanted to get an idea of how JoAnn had gotten involved with the Bike Rally in the first place. In response she smiles and says, “I got involved on a whim. My friend volunteered on the Wellness crew and told me it was so much fun! I knew the purpose of it was to raise money for HIV/AIDS. I wanted to get involved with the community, so I volunteered in 2014 as part of the Wellness Crew. My crew and I had so much fun: we would ride in the van together, and there were so many unique characters and personalities. Everyone was weird and funny and I loved the people so much. It was so easy to make friends. I did it [joined Crew] again in 2015, and every year you meet more and more people. I met Christine Hollinger one year and I thought, ‘Maybe I could do the ride- 2016 would be the year- I was going to ride. Christine took me under her wing and she was so encouraging. She was part of my team that year. She would encourage me to ride, taught me what best to eat, and how to exercise. For me, it’s all about the people, and everyone is so different [in a great way].”
She continues her story: “I finally hit 75km-100km [in 2016] and I was so happy. However, in June, I broke my ankle, so I couldn’t ride that year… [but] I still went to everything even though I was in a cast. I made it to Kingston on a charter bus- it was tough [laughs]- and I even had lunch with our team. Then I flew out to Montreal and just hung out with everybody and my team. I spent two nights there [laughs].” When we commented that it is such a testament to the kind of people she had on her team that, even though she couldn’t physically join in the ride, it was still worth it to go out of her way to be with her team on the journey, JoAnn agreed saying, “I was just so bummed [about not being able to ride], and everyone was so great and supportive.”
We’re also happy to report that in 2017, JoAnn was able to do the ride: “I was on another great team with so many great people. I cried when I finally got to Montreal… through it all, you know that everything you do [as part of the Bike Rally] is really for a good cause, and in the background, you’re hearing the stories of people [and] everyone’s stories are so touching. In 2018, there was one night with my team when we were having the conversation, ‘why are you here on the Bike Rally?’ At that time, I was going through a really rough time. It was tough in my own life, and the Ride had its hard parts too. I was riding through Prince Edward County and I was so tired and my legs hurt. I was in so much pain and everyone was so sweet to me. I love this group of people.”
Speaking to more recent times, JoAnn tells us about why she chooses to be a part of the Bike Rally year after year: “I’m doing the virtual ride this year. I’m on the Steering Committee. I do the Bike Rally because, a), it’s really good for one’s self-esteem, and b), I want to do something challenging. We all have challenges. The Ride challenges you mentally and physically. Plus, there’s this nice ‘bubble’ of the Rally. It’s just this ‘love bubble’ travelling together [laughs]. It’s like a different world, and completely different from my everyday life. It really helps you build your own spirit, and it builds your strength and confidence. If you’ve heard Suzanne Paddock [PWA’s Executive Director] speak, you know she is so eloquent and she knows all of the stories [of this community] and where the money we raise goes, and it’s nice to know you’re helping these people. Most of my friends are queer and gay do live with HIV/AIDS. It’s still a stigma today and I have to educate myself and stand up for people. PWA is a voice for a lot of people. The more people who know about it, the more the positivity and generosity spreads, and there can be a greater dispelling of misinformation.”
When it comes to her most cherished memories of the Bike Rally, JoAnn has many to share: “The first time that I made it to Montreal, in 2018, I was just standing there and people were talking. I just had tears welling up in my eyes. Chris Kennedy on my team; we just had this really awesome hug. Finally being able to do [the Bike Rally], for myself, gave me a lot of strength, and I had this strong feeling of camaraderie with everybody. Now, here’s my Talent Night story: it was 2018 and my team and I did this skit to Sia’s “Cheap Thrills.” It was Jehd, Tony, Alan and Glenn; they were in these nude suits, and we were all wearing masks. I was also in this big wig. I was saying that I ‘don’t perform’ or anything like that… but these guys just bring me out and they start dancing. They were just in these nude suits dancing among the audience, so I just started laughing and everyone was howling. It was so funny and silly, and something etched in my memory.”
JoAnn tells us that she has one more story to share with us: “I met one of the riders who was really kind and sweet, and I ended up sitting with him for the candlelight vigil. At some point, he was just crying. I didn’t know how to comfort people, but I put my arm around him and after that, we became really good friends. There are just so many [good memories]; it’s the small little things that allow you to connect. People really remember the little gestures of kindness and support. There are so many ways of loving and this flood of memories comes back to you.”
As we rounded off our wonderful conversation that afternoon, we asked JoAnn if she had any advice or encouragement for first-year riders who might be nervous: “Know that you can do the Ride. It’s going to be hard, but you can totally do it. It’s a challenge to ride and to fundraise, but in the end up after going through with it all, it’s just something great that you’ve accomplished.”