Once upon a time, Day Five was “Dress in Red” day, because the route made a loop and someone thought it would be neat having 2500 riders in red making a living AIDS ribbon (seen from the air). Of course, with so many fabulous gay men on the route, it rapidly became “Red Dress Day”. I wore a little red riding-corset and a red and black petal tutu, but as you can see, I was out-fabuloused by many a rider that day. One guy even rode in stiletto heels!
Once upon a time, way back during the California AIDS Ride, there was a loop in the route on Day Five. And someone said, “Wouldn’t it be neat if the riders all dressed in red? They’d make a human AIDS ribbon (seen from the sky) going around that loop!”
So, Palotta Teamworks asked the riders to dress in red on Day Five, “Dress in Red Day”.
Of course, with so many closet drag queens on the route, it rapidly changed its character….
…and thus, “Red Dress Day” was born.
The first inkling of red...
...stretching outside the Sports Med tent...
Me and Steffi, a friend from the Ride.
Nothing slinkier than a man in a red dress and tutu...
...unless it's a man in sequined red dress and stiletto heels...
(yes, he actually RODE in them!)
Robert, a friend of mine. Gotta love that hair!
And a bunch of flower-girls. I have no idea how they rode in that getup!
I admit it, I'm hair-obsessed. Maybe because I can't do anything interesting with my hair while cycling!
The Incredibles!
A roadie at Rest Stop 1 was kind enough to body-paint a pair of AIDS ribbons onto me...my favorite pic of the day.
And this guy was riding in a cheongsam. Amazing!
Lonely, sere, beautiful landscape. With a red rider.
More boys in red.
Uh...I don't think Superman dressed like that...
...and a Spartan warrior...
Mom & Dad!
The fabulous Ginger Brewlay...
...who sewed her own dress with 288+ Swarovski crystals!
More riders.
This is actually one of my favorite photos, but to appreciate it you'll have to click on the thumbnail for the larger version.
Vandenburg Air Force Base.
Me and Brendan, one of the training ride leaders. Yes, that's an opossum on his head. (Really!)
Man, was I jealous of this rider's "hair".
Thing 1 and Thing 2, from Dr. Seuss!
