Participant Profile: Ricky Guy
“It really is about just being: you can be gay, you can be trans, you can be positive, you can be negative. You can just be, while on the ride.”
We have been fortunate enough to speak with seasoned Bike Rally rider and Community Engagement Co-Lead, Ricky Guy, recently. In the three years that Ricky has been a part of the Bike Rally as a cyclist, he has experienced everything the event has to offer, and his insight is invaluable- perhaps especially for all the new riders out there!
One of the most important questions we wanted to ask Ricky about was how he got involved with the Bike Rally in the first place. He replied that he had experience biking in the AIDS/LifeCycle from San Francisco to Los Angeles: “they [those participating in LifeCycle ride] were actually talking about the Friends For Life Bike Rally, so I already knew I wanted to do it. When I moved to Canada, I actually got to participate in it.” In speaking to why he does the ride, he thoughtly responded: “I choose to do the ride for myself- I enjoy the challenge and the physical aspect, [and] I enjoy the community. The fact that it benefits these organizations is an extra. It’s very personal for me. I’m an extrovert for a week and the fundraising is a bonus.”
Ricky also reflects on one particularly cherished memory of the Bike Rally stating: “I remember the candlelight vigil. Someone shared that they saw the ride come through [their] city. They found out about the rally because a bunch of cyclists came through. I believe she works at HARS Kingston now. Hearing her talk at the vigil saying, ‘because of this ride and seeing it physically, is why I now do the work I do…,’ it reminded me why I choose to donate to the community. Just the physical presence of us is huge. You never know who, or how many people, you’re going to inspire, or the lives impacted positively through the fundraising. It’s amazing to know you’re touching so many people’s lives.”
In being asked how he would describe the Bike Rally in one word, Ricky reflects profoundly: “So I learned a new word in my meditation class, ‘equanimity.’ It means ‘evenness of mind.’ You’re just present and free to be, to let stuff go and just be. That’s what being part of the Bike Rally is like. [During the ride], I have cried in a stranger’s arms. I have held somebody who’s crying. It really is about just being: you can be gay, you can be trans, you can be positive, you can be negative, you can be vulnerable, you can be an extrovert! You can just be.” He also smiles when he mentions that riders will “end up with Bike Rally blues when it’s all over- you won’t know what to do with yourself for a little while, [in a good way]!”
Following our discussion of what riders should expect, he elaborated, stating, “[first-year riders] should know [they’re] fully supported. Someone is there to take care of [them] and get [them] help [if they need it].” He also encourages first-year riders saying, “take advantage of the Team Captains and their training advice, because they’ll prepare you very well. My word of encouragement is to know you’ll be fine. You will have to put in the work [training], but you’ll be fine.”
Finally, we asked Ricky how the Bike Rally inspires him and gives him hope for the future, and he had this to say: “It’s a reminder to people who are [HIV] positive that they are not alone. Imagine, immigrating to Canada, and finding out in the immigration office that you’re positive. It happens, and it’s scary, especially when these individuals are often escaping countries that are homophobic where they couldn’t be themselves. There’s still a stigma, but as the general population becomes more aware [in a public health education sense] and the therapies get better, we actually don’t hear much about HIV/AIDS anymore- yet it’s still a real issue. [So] to know that these three organizations are taking care of this community… it gives positive, and negative, folk a presence that can be seen by others. The hope for the future is that as the Rally continues to grow and evolve, we will continue to see these organizations in the foreground of providing education and support for our communities. The hope is that this ride continues to blossom; we can’t stop.”