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Bicyclists go route for AIDS
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By NICK SORTAL
Staff Writer

April 2, 2001

HOLLYWOOD -- Some bicyclists smiled because their ride was complete. Others cried because of what they had accomplished, and what Walgreens Ride 2001 meant.
About 325 riders triumphantly pedaled into Young Circle in Hollywood on Sunday afternoon, completing a three-day bike ride that began in Orlando on Friday. Friends and family members whooped and waved signs as the tired cyclists carefully made their victory lap. The riders each raised a minimum of $1,350 in pledges; all told almost $500,000 will help six Florida AIDS organizations.
Many cyclists wore red ribbons in honor of loved ones lost to AIDS. They said that raising money to help fight the disease -- while at the same time challenging themselves -- gave them a sense of control. And crossing the finish line brought a mix of joy, sorrow, relief and exhilaration.
"It was just a wonderful, wonderful weekend," said April Kirk of Fort Lauderdale, who works at the Comprehensive AIDS Program in West Palm Beach. She volunteered to help haul the cyclists' gear from John Prince Park in Lake Worth, where everyone spent Saturday night.
The Walgreens ride was scheduled to be a 275-miler, but thunderstorms Friday morning near Orlando cut about 70 miles from the first day. The riders were bused to Melbourne, and they rode to Vero Beach after the weather cleared and camped there.
Saturday brought a windy 100-mile trip through Fort Pierce to Lake Worth, and a 1 a.m. thunderstorm sent the wet bikers scurrying out of their tents for higher ground. Part of the ride's staff of 140 helped re-pitch the tents around 3 a.m.
"Our campground was a total swamp, but the amazing thing was that nobody complained," said Mitch Weissner of Action for AIDS Inc., who rides every year. "There's something about the ride that motivates everyone to get along, straight and gay, like the whole world should get along."
Richard Baudille, who lost a family member to AIDS, greeted his wife, Bette, with a bouquet of flowers. Thegrandmother of three completed her first Walgreens Ride with about 10 friends she trains with at the Boca Raton Athletic Club.
"I'm very proud of her," Baudille said. "She put in a lot of time into getting ready for this ride.
"Everyone has their reasons for this ride, and all of them are good."

Nick Sortal can be reached at nsortal@sun-sentinel.com or 954-385-7906.


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