San Francisco: Annual Bike Ride Nears, Without Any Squabbles

Local San Francisco cyclists will take part May 11 in the Ron Wilmot Bike Ride for Project Inform (PI). The bike ride is an important fundraiser for PI, and the proceeds ensure the agency can continue to provide, free of charge, the most up-to-date treatment information to anyone who inquires. This year's event could very well benefit from the controversy surrounding some other AIDS bike rides. "We certainly encourage and welcome new participants every year, and 2002 is no exception," said PI Development Associate Julie Doherty. Even with the new AIDS/LifeCycle ride departing two days after her event, Doherty said she is not worried.

Now in its eighth year, the Ron Wilmot Bike Ride is a one-day, seven-mile ride through Golden Gate Park. While it may not be a grueling ride for enthusiasts, the event does offer many aspects that cyclists say are lacking in other rides. Since volunteers and the agency's staff organize the bike ride, the event returns 95 percent of the money raised by riders directly to PI's HIV treatment education and advocacy services for people with HIV/AIDS. The ride has raised more than $400,000 for the agency's programs; last year's riders raised more than $70,000.

"We are shooting to break $70,000 and we are hoping we can make it," said Doherty. "We don't get a ton of big sponsorships for this event. It really happens word of mouth from person to person," she said. Already 74 people are signed up for the event, and Doherty is hoping to break the 100 mark. Interested cyclists can sign up until the day of the event. To register, call (415) 558-8669 ext. 223 or visit www.projectinform.org.

Back to other CDC news for May 10, 2002

Previous Updates