HIV/AIDS Ambassador Concludes Alaska to Key West Bike Ride In Time for FANTASY FEST 2017

Uli Schackmann, the one-woman HIV/AIDS crusader who began her 6-month biking journey from the furthest point North — Anchorage, Alaska — will conclude in Key West this Friday, and will join the newly-annointed FANTASY FEST 2017 Royals in this Saturday night’s parade.

Schackmann undertook the solo cycling trip to raise awareness and funds for HIV/AIDS research – specifically, AMFAR International, and even more specifically, for a cure AMFAR has targeted for 2020. With a bike and supplies gifted to her by Bike America, Schackmann’s route began with a steep ascent out of Anchorage, periods of freezing snow in the Yukon Territory, then through the Rocky Mountains, the Midwest and Virginia and Georgia before crossing into Florida.

With a 250-lb. rig (it holds camping gear and a carrier for her dog Jackson, a 20-lb. Havanese rescue), her longest ride in a day was 67 miles, the shortest 23, and the 6000-mile has been an unprecedented physical and emotional challenge. Sustained by friends old and new who housed, fed and celebrated her commitment, she’s raised nearly $10,000.00. Others have joined her along the route or offered lodging, words of encouragement and even a celebratory meal when she turned 59. (You can discover more about her at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jn7lVSZiQQ8.)

“I first witnessed the impact of HIV/AIDS in 1989, during a 275-mile ride from Orlando to Miami…so many men, once muscular and athletic, suddenly unable to make it.  But HIV quickly expanded to men, women, and children, all races and socioeconomic backgrounds. While medications and adherence can now mean a full life for anyone living with HIV, and PrEP can help prevent HIV-infection…where is the cure? That’s the conversation I and AMFAR wanted to shine a light on,” she notes, wanting what’s become known as ‘Uli’s Journey’ to serve as metaphor for the struggle people living with HIV/AIDS face daily.

This is not the first time Schackmann has used two wheels to raise awareness for HIV/AIDS. She’s participated in various fundraising rides across the country for over 20 years and has been cyclist and crew for The SMART Ride, the two-day 165-mile ride from Miami to Key West, derailed by Irma from its original November date until January 19 and 20, 2018.

“One year we had record-breaking cold weather and crossing almost 43 bridges between Miami and Key West with torrential rain and frigid unforgiving environment,” says Glen Weinzimer, The SMART Ride founder. “Yet there was Uli, riding with this enormous AIDS flag on a steel pole whipped by extreme wind. Most would have given up under normal circumstances. It’s a testament to her tenacity.”

“Breakthroughs come from being committed to something, even if the path to achieve it is unclear,” Schackmann says. “I learned to let the ride carry me and the day unfold. I said ‘yes’ to whatever showed up. I’ve learned to listen, to allow others to be involved and some of those insights took me past self-imposed limitations. With belief and commitment, anything is possible.”

Conceding cheerfully that “everything from the neck down hurts,” Schackmann also admits to a bit of “post-ride depression” as she pedals along US1 to celebrate the literal end of the road. Look for her and Jackson this Saturday night, October 28th, as she joins Queen Destiny Montgomery, King ‘Saint Paul’ Murphy, Duchess Vicki Hodgson and Duke Bucky Montgomery as they too mark a night of rebirth for the Keys and their own commitment to AIDS Help, its mission and clients living with HIV/AIDS.

[livemarket market_name="KONK Life LiveMarket" limit=3 category=“” show_signup=0 show_more=0]