Justin's story: Hill Country Ride for AIDS

BaseCamp athlete Justin Hersom shared his experience at the 2025 Hill Country Ride for AIDS in Texas.

This was a fun/charity ride for local LGBTQ and HIV organizations here in Central Texas. I did my social work internship at one of them (Out Youth), and so when I saw this ride come up, I was happy to raise money for it. This year's theme was the Wizard of Oz, the pit stops crew and pit stops were very festive.

I rode the 75mi/4500ft elevation route, it was fun to see how many people took this challenge to heart. We were encouraged to dress up if we wanted, I did not, but I saw some riding in cutoffs (ouch) and others in rainbow tutus, which was a hoot. I passed a young family who were doing the ride together, and the son had painted his helmet silver and glued a funnel on top of his helmet, so of course I had to give him kudos. The course started out in Spicewood, Tx, which is about 35 minutes north of me.

Overall, I did well, they weren’t watching placement, but I know I was one of the earlier finishers, top 10. I wasn’t feeling that day, though, the wind (avg about 12-15 mph and gusts up to 20), the rough aggregate pavement, and my level of fatigue fought me. But I just kept thinking of how these windy conditions would be good preparation for Gravel Worlds.

All in all, it was a fun time, and for a good purpose. I start my training with my coach for Gravel Worlds next week.