The date of the One Day, One Ride, One Cause charity bike ride through all 8 wards of the District of Columbia is quickly approaching, and the ride sponsors seek additional riders and volunteers for the event.  Last year, 90 riders participated.  This year, the ride will start and end in Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park near Adams Morgan and U Street.  Riders will gather at 7:00 a.m. in the park near 16th and W streets, N.W.

“Our route this year includes fun stops in Tenley Circle, Eastern Market, and Hains Point and helps riders discover more of the city,” remarked Valerie Robertson, president of the ride’s nonprofit sponsor Brother to Brother, Sister to Sister United (BBSSU).  “We’ve ramped up our outreach before, during, and after the ride to increase our impact on the surrounding communities.  We’ll be handing out HIV/AIDS prevention materials at several public places along the route, including our pit stops and several Metro stops.  The ride alerts the community to the serious nature of  HIV/AIDS in D.C.”

The registration fee for riders and volunteers is only $35 through July 31 and $50 beginning August 1.  Then riders need to raise just $100 in donations, which are passed along to the beneficiary organizations.  The two beneficiary organizations for the 2009 ride are the Women’s Collective and Building Futures.  Both organizations work on the front lines serving persons living with HIV/AIDS.

“This is a ride that is possible for many people to complete, especially compared to the 4-day AIDS Rides from North Carolina to D.C. in years past,” commented Randall Myers, vice president of BBSSU.  “It’s a supported ride, not a race.  Everyone rides at their own pace.”

To register for the ride as a rider or volunteer or for more information, go to www.1day1ride1cause.org.  Raffle tickets for two round-trip tickets on Southwest Airlines are also available for $20 each at 1day1ride1cause.org/shop/shop.htm.