Girls Love Dirt! is a loose-knit, unofficial group of drinkers in the Washington, DC area who occasionally like to get together and ride their bikes. Although GLD was officially formed in the spring of 2001 as a team in training for the Washington DC AIDSRide, the true origins of GLD are less clear. Some say it has existed since the beginning of time; others say that it never could have existed prior to the the invention of alcohol. Nevertheless, experts agree that, although it had not been officially formed or named at the time, GLD was present at history's first so-called "happy hour," and they have been in attendance, at least in spirit, at every happy hour since. 15121512About 30 members of GLD participated as riders or crew in the 2001 Washington DC AIDSRide last year, raising more than $600,000 in donations for Food and Friends and the Whitman-Walker Clinic. About 10 members participated in the 2002 AIDSRide, and the 5 members particpating in Snowshoe raised more than $2500 for the American Lung Association of West Virginia.