The 11th annual Ride For AIDS Chicago was a record-setting, celebrity-filled, legacy-driven two-day extravaganza that culminated Sunday afternoon, July 13, under hot, sunny skies in Evanston.
Emotions, pain and pride were plentiful … so too were some cold beers.
Additional photos at the link: www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/photospreadthumbs.php .
The bicycle ride produced and supporting the Test Positive Aware Network ( TPAN ) raised about $840,000 and organizers predict that total will hit $850,000 by the end of Julyand the total was about $60,000 more than was raised in 2013.
There were 330 registered riders and about 275 participated in the two-day Ride, which also was a record number. Same for the number of supporting Crew members, which had more than 110 members.
"The Ride was amazing," said Richard Cordova, TPAN's director of athletic events. "This event for me is about fundraising, production and experienceand across the board, we topped last year [in those areas]. I feel good, no complaints."
Just lasting memories. Such as from the opening ceremony, held early Saturday morning, July 12, also in Evanston. Rob Campbell, for instance, shared his personal story of being an HIV-positive rider. He came out about his status, first to Cordova and then the rest of the participants, during the 2013 Ride.
Campbell's speech at the 2014 opening ceremony was "one of the more powerful memories," Cordova said. "And that's why we're hereto change the conversation about HIV, to provide a world where people don't have to be afraid to be HIV-positive.
"To me, [Rob Campbell] kind of sums up one of the reasons why we're here."
Tony Torres, an HIV-positive rider, was honored at the closing ceremony for his longtime commitment to the Ride. He was presented with the annual Paul Cantrell Commitment Award.
Just as committed to the cause is Ariel Reboyras ( 30th ward alderman ), 60, who was riding in the event for the 10th time.
"As tough as [the Ride] is, it makes a difference," Reboyras said. "It's a worthy cause; that's how I look at it. We all know someone who has been inflicted," with HIV/AIDS.
Reboyras said he plans to ride again in 2015.
"It was awesome to see all of the riders and crew, especially the Positive Pedalers, which was an inspiration," Sean Lewis, the WGN-TV broadcaster who was the master of ceremony at the closing ceremony, said of the group of HIV-positive riders and crew members, most wearing orange to signify their HIV status.
The Positive Pedalers' procession at the opening and closing ceremony "celebrates the HIV-positive riders and crew members, Cordova said.
Meanwhile, the always-tear-filled riderless bike procession is an opportunity "to honor those who have died from the disease," Cordova said. Several riders and crew members who have had family or close friends die from the disease pushed the riderless bicycle.
The closing ceremony also featured two large sections of the vintage AIDS quilt, the first time it has been on display at the Ride.
The quilt, Cordova said, "is a really important part of the history of the pandemic. We're really honored to have it on display. The quilt really puts into perspective why we're here."
Kelly Southard rode the event for her late cousin, Scott, who died from the disease.
Jeff Berry and Rodney Becker also each had direct, personal reasons for participating in the 2014 Ridethrough deaths from the disease.
Alex Perez, the ABC-TV broadcaster based in Chicago, also was one of the 2014 Riders.
"The Ride was great … I survived," said Richard Dumbrique, 25, who lives in Rogers Park and was riding in the event for the second consecutive year. "I was more prepared than last year; I knew what to expect."
Debby Rijos, 46, who lives in the West Loop, was a crew member for Team Fredand determined to ride in the 2015 event.
"It was great, very rewarding," she said. "I've known about TPAN and been a part of it since 1994. I've lost to uncles to HIV/AIDS, plus a very close friend last year … so yeah, this really is a great event, and it just continues to grow and get better and better."
Keith Stryker, 42, who lives in Edgewater, rode in his fourth Ride For AIDS Chicago as part of Team CUR ( Chicago Urban Riders ) and had his No. 1 cheerleader in one of his team's first-time crew members: his mom, Marge Mayo, who came from Florida just for the Ride.
"The Ride gets better every year, and this year really was fantastic; it's amazing," Stryker said. "I loved seeing my mom have the time of her life, meeting my team members, my friends, and being part of something that is very personal to me because I am HIV-positive."
Daniel K. Cairo, 32, who lives in Edgewater, was riding in his second Ride for Team CUR toowith an orange bandana wrapped around his left wrist and an orange flag waving mounted to his bicycle, both to symbolize he is HIV-positive.
"It's an amazing event. The camaraderie, the community [and] the fellowship is incredible," Cairo said. "The first two years after I was diagnosed [HIV-positive], it was very difficult to tell people that I was positive. I've now been diagnosed for about six years, and now it's gotten better because I've been around people who tell me that it's OK to positive.
"Now I do this [Ride] for other people.
"When people get diagnosed [as HIV-positive], we have to remember that it's hard, that it sucks, but it will eventually get better. We have to feel our pain in order to be able to rise above it."
To pay tribute to all those who supported Cairo's fundraising for the cause, he laced a long red ribbon on his bicyclealways within eye sightwith their names hand-written on it. "When we were riding up those [challenging] hills, I remembered those people [whose names were on that red ribbon] and the donations they made. It was as if we were doing it together.
"That was a highlight of the 2014 Ride."
Nancy M. Abbate, who has been the TPAN interim executive director since mid-March, said at the closing ceremony that the Ride is "very inspiring, and it makes me think that the greater Chicagoland area needs to hear about this event and know that it happensand they have to get involved."
When asked if she would ride in the 2015 event, she smiled and admitted, "I'm not really good at riding a bike." She quickly added that "maybe" she'd be part of the 2015 crew.