Nov 14, 2008 8:44 am US/Eastern
Cyclists Ride To Raise Awareness For HIV/AIDS
Historic Number Of Cyclists To Ride 165 Miles To Key West
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
Friday morning, more than cyclists departed Miami for a two day, 165 mile historic ride to Key West in order to raise awareness for HIV/AIDS in the state of Florida.
The riders will complete 100 grueling miles the first day and approximately 84 miles on the final leg. To date Miami-Dade and Broward Counties still rank in the number one and number two positions on the CDC's list of counties reporting the highest number of newly reported HIV/AIDS cases.
100-percent of the funds raised from the AIDS ride will be donated to six HIV/AIDS Charities throughout the state of Florida including; Broward House in Fort Lauderdale, The Center for Positive Connections in Miami, AIDS Help Inc. in Key West, Metropolitan Charities in Tampa, The Hug Me Center for Children and Families in Orlando, and Compass GLCC in West Palm Beach. The AIDS ride to date has raised more than $500,000 and funds keep being pledged daily.
The riders started pedaling at 6:00 a.m. when they took off from the Morning Star Renewal Center, 7275 SW 124 Street, in Miami. Their first pit stop is Hawks Cay Resort in Duck Key where they will stay overnight and then depart again Saturday at 6:00 for the final leg to Key West.
Upon arrival in Key West on Saturday at approximately 2:00 pm, the riders will be met by the Key West Police Department who will, with sirens blaring, escort them down Duval Street in the center of town to the AIDS Memorial located on the White Street Pier. Duval Street during this time is lined with people waving flags, and holding signs, welcoming the riders and congratulating them on their accomplishment. There will be a rally at the AIDS memorial, including the entrance of the riderless bicycle which represents those lost to AIDS this past year.
The AIDS Ride takes an army of over 150 volunteers including chaser cars, ambulances, motorcyclists for traffic control, and cycle fix vehicles, to make this event run smoothly and to secure the safety of the riders.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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