Riding for a reason through Tusten

Raising awareness and money for HIV/AIDS research

By SANDY LONG

NARROWSBURG, NY — Some have lost loved ones to the AIDS virus. Others are themselves HIV positive. Last weekend, the 62 cyclists participating in the fifth annual Empire State AIDS Ride (ESAR) concluded a seven-day stint on the scenic roadways of New York State, beginning at Niagara Falls and ending in New York City. They had logged 560 miles and raised pledges of $350,000 in support of HIV/AIDS research.

Two of them, Melissa Lord and Mathias Holzhacker, even returned home as newlyweds. Married by fellow rider Allen “Sparky” Payne, the couple and their cleric have completed four rides together and plan to continue the annual tradition. A ceremony was scheduled for the eve of day six, following a 6,000-foot climb during which Lord planned to wear her wedding veil underneath her bike helmet. “Every year, we’ll celebrate our anniversary on the ride,” said Lord.

Marty Rosen conceived and founded the fundraising ride five years ago and has seen it grow by approximately 15 percent annually. In order to participate, each rider must agree to raise a minimum of $3,500 before embarking on the ride. The intense experiences shared by the riders have resulted in the creation of a family-like group, where more than half return annually to repeat the adventure. “The fundraising is a challenge. The training is a challenge. But the shared experiences and lasting friendships are part of the reward,” said Rosen.

Riders come from around the country and the money they raise supports three primary beneficiaries this year: AIDS Community Resources (ACR), the AIDS Research Institute at the University of California San Francisco (ARI UCSF) and AIDS Rochester, Inc.

Fueling up at Fort Delaware

The riders enjoyed an accommodating stopover on August 16 at Fort Delaware in Narrowsburg, where director Linda Dexter greeted pit crews and prepared for the arrival of 62 sweating cyclists. With temperatures hovering in the 80s, bikers rolled down the dirt driveway, dismounted and enjoyed refreshments in the shaded shelter next to the swaying branches of a willow tree.

Massage therapists Ron Pollero and Thomas Bosket were on hand to provide complimentary sports massage to the road-worn riders. Pollero was thrilled to have the opportunity to support the event and riders again this year. “Helping them to feel better makes me feel good,” he said. “These people pedaled 50 miles today and while their need for support is great, the reward for me is even greater.”

Carrie Large, a volunteer with ACR of Syracuse, said that cyclists completed 112 miles on the first day. Large applauded the abundant support given to riders throughout the event, citing the presence of Safety and Gear (SAG) cars and attentive medical care.

Medical director and seasoned rider Mark Quinlan circulated through the incoming riders, checking for signs of sunburn and dehydration, monitoring blood sugar levels for a diabetic rider and passing out water with the advice, “Sip slowly.” Quinlan checked on Jon Fehrenbach, a return rider who, despite undergoing major surgery to repair a blown Achilles tendon in October 2006, was determined to participate in the ride again.

Fehrenbach, who hails from Seattle, WA, lost his brother, Donald David, to AIDS nine years ago. Like most of the cyclists, Fehrenbach rides to help raise funds to provide seed money to researchers exploring new avenues related to HIV/AIDS research.

The fundraising efforts of Fehrenbach’s team of 12 cyclists and six crew members will support the AIDS Research Institute at the University of California San Francisco (www.ari.ucsf.edu), which focuses on fostering scientific innovation to understand, prevent, treat and work toward curing HIV infection.

HIV/AIDS was initially documented approximately 25 years ago by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The virus has since infected 65 million people and claimed 25 million lives. According to the CDC, more than one million people in the United States were living with HIV/AIDS in 2006. The AIDS Research Institute reports that, while much has been accomplished, more than 8,000 individuals are still dying of AIDS every day, with one person infected every 13 minutes in the United States and every 17 seconds around the globe.

Visit www.empirestateaidsride.org for more information or to contribute to the fund online. The Green Ride, a 260-mile first-ever sister ride to the ESAR ride, will be conducted in the Catskills on October 6 through 8. Visit www.thegreenride.org to learn more about this ride.