8th Annual AIDS Bike Rally

Until there’s a cure… There’s a ride

300 people. 600 kilometres. 6 days.

Toronto, Canada – Canada’s third largest fundraiser benefiting an HIV/AIDS organization is just weeks away. Over two hundred cyclists are training and counting the days until the Friends for Life Bike Rally sets off on a six-day adventure from Toronto to Montreal.

When the group arrives in downtown Montreal, they will have biked over 600 kilometres through the countryside of Ontario and Quebec, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation in the process.

“We kicked off the year with a record breaking number of registrations,�? said Lucinda Wallace, a co-chair of the event. “That energy has grown, and every week more and more cyclists are out training on the roads around Toronto.�?

Every weekend before the Bike Rally departs, dozens of participants meet and speed around the city to prepare and train for the ride – a veritable flash of colourful lycra and motion. They’ve hit the mid-point of their training and are now spending hours on the road every week, cycling up to 100Kms at a time.

The Bike Rally brings together a group of vastly diverse people who share two, strong common interests: assist those living with HIV/AIDS and rise to meet an incredible physical and mental challenge.

“It’s a moving community: beginners right through to amateur athletes, men and women of all ages and abilities�? said Walter Dimini, the other co-chair of the event. “And while they’re training physically, they’re each raising thousands of dollars for the foundation.�?

Each rider is responsible for raising a minimum of $2,000, though last year they raised an average of $2,600 each.

*Note: This year a buddy of mine, Derrik, is going to be riding, and still needing some pledges, so if you would like to help out the Toronto AIDS foundation you can check out his page here and make a donation. ~Siranee

The Bike Rally participants will be highly visible this summer in Toronto and on trails throughout the city. The rally departs for Montreal with ceremony and celebration the morning of Sunday, July 23, 2006 and arrives the afternoon of Friday, July 28, 2006.

For more information, please contact:
Hamal Docter Director, Development & Communications
Toronto People With AIDS Foundation
(416) 506-8606, ext. 630

About the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation
The Toronto People With AIDS Foundation exists to promote the health and well-being of all people living with HIV/AIDS by providing accessible, direct, and practical support services. It is Canada’s largest direct support service agency for people living with HIV/AIDS. For more information, please visit: www.pwatoronto.org