BY KAREN BOSSICK
Spring rain isn’t exactly conducive to training for a ride up and down America.
But, still, Jenny Heekin has managed to get in a ride up and over Galena Summit and a couple rides around Twin Falls as she and Sean Patrick Parnell prepare to ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles to raise money for HIV/AIDS-related services.
And on Thursday, Zenergy Health Club & Spa is throwing a Dance, Cycle Yoga/Group Acupuncture Party in hopes the community will chip in to help them send them on their way.
A suggested donation of $25 gets anyone into any or all three of the specialty classes. AND participants can use the Zenergy pool, hot tub, sauna and other amenities that day, as well.
The dance class with Sean and Casey starts at 3 p.m.; the cycle class with Yvette and Amanda at 4 p.m. and the yoga/group acupuncture with Cathie, Dana and Lisa at 5:15 p.m.
Parnell calls this ride “the love bubble,” according to Cathie Caccia, who is among those putting on Thursday’s fundraising event.
The 545-mile ride, organized by the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and Los Angeles LGBT Center, raises money to prevent new HIV infections and ensure testing and care for those with HIV or AIDS.
One in four people living with AIDS are female, and 90 percent of them got it through heterosexual activity.
Those who have taken part in the past include Ketchum residents Rick and Lynn Flickinger, who volunteer as the Idaho Hot Potatoes , picking up cyclists who have bike problems or injuries. Their daughter Kristin Flickinger, who graduated from Wood River High School, formerly served as director of the ride.
The ride boasts 1,500 wall-to-wall tents and riders from as far away as China.
Heekin learned about the ride from Parnell, who teaches dance at Zenergy and IdaYoga.
“I love cycling and feel this is a good thing to do for a great cause,” said Heekin. “Sean has done it before and he says we’ll be riding with a positive, inspiring group of people with lots of stories.”
That said, Heekin’s three teens think their Mom’s crazy.
“I love to take on challenges like this so they’re used to that,” she said. “But this is probably the biggest challenge I’ve taken on.”
For more information, visit www.aidslifecycle.org.