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Written by Louis Weisberg, Staff writer
Aug 11, 2010
Riders hoist their bikes in triumph following the completion of the ACT 8 AIDS Ride in Madison. – Photo: Larry Palm
They took the long way from Madison’s Olin Park to the Capitol, pedaling 300 miles in four days over southern Wisconsin’s hilly terrain only to end up close to where they started.
But along the way, the 130 cyclists who participated in the ACT 8 AIDS Ride enjoyed a rare spirit of camaraderie and adventure, raised HIV awareness in rural areas where AIDS is seldom mentioned and raised over $250,000 for AIDS Network of Madison.
“Without your support, we would be so limited in what we’d be able to do for our clients,” AN executive director Karen Dotson told riders during an emotional Aug. 1 closing ceremony welcoming them home. “You have allowed us to provide them with additional services for prevention, case management, legal services, a food pantry and, in two weeks, a dental clinic.”
The rides have raised a total of nearly $2.3 million over the past eight years.
NBC 15 anchor Christine Bellport emceed the ceremony. “Courage, compassion and commitment – that’s what has driven you the past four days,” she said.
More than 250 supporters attended the event, after first cheering the returning cyclists on as they rounded the ride’s final corner in a choreographed finale. Riders hoisted their bikes into the air in jubilation before taking a moment of silence to recognize “rider zero,” a rider-less bike that’s walked by volunteers to represent the many lives lost to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
During the ceremony, top fundraisers for the event were recognized, including Woof’s Madd Dawgs team, whose 23 members raised $36,975, and Bruce Slaughenhoupt, who raised $8,416 and won a $2,700 bike donated by Willy Street Bikes.
