The San Francisco AIDS Foundation lost one of its staunchest advocates, most tireless fundraisers, and greatest friends on December 29, 2001 with the passing of Jonathan Pon.

If you’d ever met Jonathan, you would never forget him. As a 20-year HIV survivor, he’d developed a strength and tenaciousness that kept him going through many years of serious, sometimes life-threatening illness. As Jonathan’s health improved, he channeled his significant energies into helping people living with HIV and AIDS. He was a seven-time California AIDS Rider, a two-time “Spokebuster” (participating in all the AIDS Rides throughout the country in a single year), and a long-time volunteer at the AIDS Foundation and on our HIV/AIDS hotline. When AIDS/LifeCycle was created, Jonathan was the first to send his warm congratulations, applauding what he saw as a bold and necessary step. One of the very first cyclists to register for AIDS/LifeCycle, he enthusiastically looked forward to the inaugural ride in May.

Jonathan was probably best known in our community as the founder of the Positive Pedalers, that extraordinary group of HIV+ men and women seen on so many of our cycling events. After completing the first AIDS Ride, Jonathan saw the need to provide HIV+ riders with practical and emotional support for handling the challenges of the events while living with the daily realities of HIV.

With the Pos Peds, Jonathan created a living, breathing, cycling symbol of strength and courage, spreading awareness and information about HIV and AIDS to those who might not otherwise get it. The group provides a safe, understanding environment to its members, along with a sense of hope and future for people who often didn’t think they’d ever get on a bicycle again, much less ride one from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Upon its founding in 1995, Positive Pedalers had less than 25 members. Today, the group has chapters in most major cities and more than 500 members nationwide. The San Francisco chapter alone has raised more than $200,000 for the AIDS Foundation, and their now-familiar orange bike flags have motivated tens of thousands of people struggling to get up one more hill.

Jonathan’s remarkable courage and conviction inspired everyone around him. He liked to say that he was truly living with HIV, not just alive with it. He was strong-willed and sometimes quick to anger, but he was equally quick to share his killer grin and sharp, dry wit. He had a drive for perfection that only he could get away with, and was generous to a fault. Those who incurred his wrath soon learned to regret it; those who became his friend were truly blessed. His passion was infectious, and it was impossible to spend any time around him without catching it. Jonathan Pon will be sorely missed and not soon forgotten.

Jonathan had temporarily traded in his cycling cleats for running shoes, and he proudly completed our first AIDS Marathon in December, just weeks before his death. As one of AIDS/LifeCycle’s first registrants, Jonathan was excited about and eager to play an important role in our newest venture. He had already planned his fundraising campaign, determined to beat his personal fundraising best for a single event - $25,000. Jonathan never set a goal he didn’t meet, and we’re not about to let that happen now.

To that end, we’ve established a “Spirit Cyclist” account in Jonathan’s honor, using the same rider number —Rider #4267 — which he would have proudly worn at ride out on May 13, 2002. Jonathan’s death is an all too harsh reminder to us all that our fight is far from over. We hope that you’ll help us honor the memory and contributions of this extraordinary man by making a donation to AIDS/LifeCycle in his name.

Donations to Jonathan Pon Spirit Cyclist #4267 can be made directly on our website at www.aidslifcyle.org or they can be sent to: AIDS/LifeCycle, c/o San Francisco AIDS Foundation, File #7421502, P.O. Box 60000, San Francisco, California 94160. For information on the Positive Pedalers, visit www.pospeds.org

The AIDS/LifeCycle Spirit Cyclist Program

The Spirit Cyclist program offers a way to honor an individual who, though unable to participate in AIDS/LifeCycle, will be with the event in spirit. It is inspired by Jonathan Pon, founder of the Positive Pedalers, a longtime supporter of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and one of the very first registrants for AIDS/LifeCycle. Jonathan, who enthusiastically looked forward to cycling this inaugural event, passed away suddenly this past December, leaving behind a legacy of commitment and inspiration. The knowledge that Jonathan, will be with AIDS/LifeCycle in spirit, inspired the creation of the Spirit Cyclist Program.

By making a donation in the name of someone you wish to honor, you designate that individual a Spirit Cyclist. Their name will accompany an actual cyclist through all 7 days and 600 miles of the ride and be recognized during the event. If someone you care about is unable to cycle with us in May (2002), you can ensure that they will still be part of the effort to fight the pandemic. For more information about the Spirit Cyclist Program, call Robin Avant at 415-487-3032.

This testiment was published in the March, 2002 edition of OUTReach, the magazine of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. The photo and article are Copyright 2002, San Francisco AIDS Foundation.