| 02/25/2005 | Calling all volunteers to visit www.bikerally.org to sign up to become a rider or crew member for the 7th annual Friends Life Bike Rally. The Toronto People With AIDS Foundation (TPWAF) challenges Torontonians to pedal for six days over 610 kms from Toronto all the way to Montreal. To qualify to ride in this fully supported journey, riders are required to raise a minimum of $2,000 to provide much needed programs and services to people living with HIV/AIDS in the GTA.
This is a great time of year for people to set goals for their personal fitness while they are planning the year ahead," says Bruce Mayhew, Co-Chairman of the Friends for Life Bike Rally. "With each day averaging 100 km, the ride is physically demanding and our riders typically begin training as early as possible so they are in top shape to have a successful and enjoyable ride to Montreal on July 24 - 29."
The advantage of signing up early is that riders will be guaranteed one of the limited 220 rider spaces and have longer time to train and raise funds as well as participate in many enjoyable social events and group training rides leading up to the rally.
"As riders begin training, we encourage them to start fundraising early," says Serena Manek, Special Events Coordinator, TPWAF. "Many of our riders raise much more than the minimum $2,000. We would like to thank the community for their support in helping riders raise more than $2 million over the past six years, making this the single most important fundraising event for the foundation and allowing us to help 6,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in Toronto."
Why People Love the Ride for Life
For sun, fun, aching muscles and making new friends around the campfire, our riders and support crew are from diverse backgrounds and have a variety of reasons for committing to participate in this event. Many riders and crew return year after year to re-test their personal limits in this physically challenging adventure that makes a positive difference for so many people living with HIV/AIDS.
"The Friends For Life Bike Rally has made me see that anything is possible in life if you put your mind to it," says Lucinda Wallace, Co-Chairman of the Friends for Life Bike Rally and 3-time veteran rider. "You have to focus on what's important. During the ride to Montreal, sometimes that just means getting through the day. But you have to remember that for people living with HIV/AIDS, every day of their life can be a challenge. So you just have to keep on pedalling.
Through the scenic shores of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, a crew of volunteers provides sumptuous nutritious meals, ample snack breaks, road safety and medical support. Riders and crew camp together along beautiful lakes and rivers, enjoy evening activities and entertainment. Scheduled stops include Cobourg, Adolphustown, Kingston, Brockville, South Glengarry Township and Montreal - just in time for Divers-Cite gay pride celebrations.
How the Friends for Life Bike Rally Began
Over seven years ago, two neighbours decided that not enough was being done in the fight against AIDS. More importantly, they both knew friends and family whose health was suffering as a result of HIV, and so they decided to issue a challenge to their neighbours and the community at large. What started as a commitment from 32 of their neighbours, friends and family, has now grown into the annual Friends For Life Bike Rally.
www.bikerally.org
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