Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1995. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
The Associated Press - 16 Sep 95
She couldn't stop thinking about his soothing words and kind gesture.
"He was very philosophical about it all," the Nashua, N.H., woman said Friday at a rest stop on the inaugural Boston-to-New York AIDS Ride.
As she spoke, she put an ice pack on her swollen and scraped left shoulder.
"Since I fell, I've just been very emotional," Flegal explained through tears. "My 8-year-old daughter broke her arm last week and I wasn't there, the poor thing, I was out training. What kind of mother am I? So I've been thinking about that and then I think about these people living with HIV and, my god, this is nothing. I am such a baby."
Flegal is one of about 3,500 people pedaling across Massachusetts and through Connecticut to New York City to raise money for AIDS programs. About 175 riders are HIV-positive or have AIDS.
The fund-raiser is expected to generate more than $5 million -- $3 million for programs in New York City and Boston, the rest to pay trip expenses.
Riders left Boston on Friday morning and were to arrive in New York City Sunday.
Despite her injury, Flegal rode the last 25 miles of the day with her childhood friend, Jeanne Abboud of Acton, Mass., to a school near the University of Connecticut. There, they and other cyclists set up about 2,000 blue, domed tents before dining on fajitas, rice and beans and going to bed.
The inaugural ride was modeled after a weeklong cycling event in California that has raised $6.6 million in two years. Next year, coordinators plan to add three more rides -- one in Florida, one from Philadelphia to Washington and another from Minneapolis-St. Paul to Chicago.
The hills leading into Storrs nearly did in many of the riders Friday. While some stood on their pedals and fought their way to the top, others pulled off to the roadside and walked their bikes up the steep inclines.
Saturday's 101-mile leg to Bridgeport was even more grueling, winding through mountains and river valleys, a state forest and a state park before crossing the Connecticut River.
Sunday's finale would be an easier 61 miles into Manhattan, followed by a party in Greenwich Village, emceed by Doug Savant of the hit TV show "Melrose Place."
Copyright 1995/The Associated Press. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Permissions Desk, The Associated Press, 50 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10020.
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Copyright © 1995 - Associated Press. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the AP Permissions Desk.
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