AEGiS-BAYW: Red Ribbon Riders survive weekend weather onslaught

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Red Ribbon Riders survive weekend weather onslaught

Bay Windows - August 18, 2005
Ethan Jacobs, ejacobs@baywindows.com.

It takes dedication to cycle across the length of Massachusetts to support HIV/AIDS services, but it takes courage and fortitude to do so in 90-degree heat, torrential downpours, and ferocious thunderstorms. Unfortunately, that's just what the participants in the second annual Mass Red Ribbon Ride had to contend with as they trekked across the state Aug. 13 and 14. But Red Ribbon Ride Manager Andi Genser says the riders were prepared.

"The riders were amazing. We had very few hydration issues because people took really good care of themselves. They drank gallons and gallons of Gatorade," says Genser. "They took themselves out for a break if they felt like they were too hot, and we had a wonderful medical unit [to deal with any medical issues]."

The riders also persevered through a devastating thunderstorm the second day of the ride, which hit at about the halfway point of that day's 100-mile route. As the storm picked up, riders took refuge until the storm let up enough to allow them to continue.

"I talked to somebody who said there were four or five of them huddled by the side of the road, and people invited them into their garage and gave them towels," says Genser. She says the riders caught in the storm were delayed about 40 minutes before they got back on the road.

Genser says organizers hadn't calculated how much money the event raised by press time, but this year's ride featured about 40 percent more riders than last year. Prior to this year's ride, participants had raised more than $250,000, and Genser says she hopes the final total will exceed $400,000. The funds benefit the ride's 12 sponsor organizations, which include AIDS Action Committee, AIDS CARE/Hampshire County, JRI Health and Cambridge Cares About AIDS.

Ride organizers are pleased at the ride's growth over the course of two years, and Genser credited much of the growth this year to the addition of ride teams. This year, riders could partner in teams to help fundraise, train and ride.

"I think the teams were the single greatest feature this year," Genser explains. "It brought new people in, but it also got people to ride together and gel."

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