The 12th annual Ride For AIDS Chicagoa two-day, 200-mile bicycling event produced by the Test Positive Aware Network ( TPAN )is July 11-12, with 222 riders, including 81 first-timers.
The Ride includes Chicago newscaster Alex Perez and Ald. Arial Reboyras.
"Funding for HIV services has been targeted more towards medical outcomes for our clients, which is extremely important. However, we know that coping with the psychosocial aspect of HIV is just as important. Money raised from the Ride will help ensure we can continue support groups and services that remain unfunded," Patti Capouch, who is the CEO of TPANand will be among the 87-person crew for this year's event.
A week before the event, there were four fundraisers for the Ride who had already exceeded $10,000 raised: Rodney Becker, James Sumer, George Titterton and Scott Hughes.
"There have been some [Ride management] changes this year and they have been very positive," said returning rider Meg Valentini, who cycles along with her husband, Fred. Both are Ride executive committee members. "Change can be difficult, but it's important that we keep the TPAN mission and clients as our focus; that's all that matters. The Ride experience is like no other: challenging, inspirational and so much fun. After five years we still feel very committed to the Ride and TPAN as an organization."
Capouch said one of the main differences this year is that TPAN brought on an event production company to handle all of the production logistics of the Ride, and it has implemented a Code of Conduct to ensure safety for all participants. Plus, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago has joined as a community partner.
"As riders for the past five years, we can tell you that the crew [is] indispensable," Valentini said. "Riders love them and depend on them for our safety and sanity. There is huge diversity among all the participants, but there is a great sense of community we have not experienced with other events. The overall feeling from the start to finish of this event is joy and a sense of accomplishment."
One of the event's past riders, a member of the Positive Peddlers team, is unable to participate this year. He sent his well-worn orange bandana from previous years. "He asked that [someone] carry it on the Ride, so he could be there in spirit," Valentini said.
Yvette Pryor and Tony Torres are the Ride leaders this year, and the host for the closing ceremonies of the new Finale Festival is Out Chicago's Scott Duff.
"The Ride for AIDS Chicago is TPAN's largest fundraiser and we depend on the money raised to provide services," Capouch said. "Aside from our financial goals for the Ride, this year we are heavily focused on providing our participants with a wonderful, safe, and rewarding experience."
The opening and closing ceremonies will have similar programming as years past, but, the closing is going to be more festival-style rather than a private ceremony, Capouch said. The Finale Festival will be held at Leahy Park, and will feature a DJ ( Steve Henderson ), food trucks, a Zumba Fitness class, and more. "We're inviting the local community and supporters to celebrate with us," Capouch said.
Valentini, 58, who lives in Oak Park and has a gay son, said the Ride is "very bittersweet, both joy and sorrow."
"We get choked up at each opening and closing ceremony," she said. "Watching the rider-less bike procession honoring and remembering those who died from AIDS, it is very emotional for everyone. Tears are shed for those who died, for those who still have fear, who feel the shame and stigma associated with being HIV-positive.
"Then, after riding 200 miles and climbing all those hills, you are exhausted and your emotions are raw. You are acutely aware that you have accomplished something meaningful and have made an impact for the clients at TPAN."
Capouch, who is gay, added, "While the demographics of HIV has been shifting over the years, the gay community is still disproportionately impacted. The Ride offers an opportunity for our community to come together and support one another in a non-traditional way. The Riders and Crew are gay, straight, HIV-positive, HIV-negative, allies and friends. The emotional ties that are built during this experience last far beyond the Ride weekend and help strengthen our community."