AIDSRide Bikers To Pass Through Newtown

Next Thursday, July 19, approximately 3,100 bike riders will pass right through Newtown and Sandy Hook as part of Tanquray’s 2001 Northeast AIDSRide.

In years past, the three-day ride has originated in Boston and ended in New York City. This year’s ride begins at Bear Mountain, N.Y., and ends 4 days later on the Boston Common.

There are several of these AIDSRides going on throughout the United States and in Canada. The purpose of this fund raising event is to raise money to benefit several non-profit organizations in New York City and Boston that offer direct services to people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS, regardless of their ability to pay.

Each rider agrees to raise a minimum of $2,100. Jason Benson of Founders Lane in Sandy Hook, for example, is riding to honor the memory of his brother-in-law John, a hemophiliac, who succumbed to AIDS about 12 years ago.

Riders of all levels of ability and experience should be coming through Newtown on their way to New Haven between noon and 3 pm on July 19.