Orange County Ride for AIDS Takes Off October 9

One-day ride starts in Mission Viejo, course covers large part of county

IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Dozens of cyclists will pedal their way through several communities to raise money for the thousands of people affected by HIV/AIDS, in Orange County's first Ride for AIDS event Saturday, Oct. 9.  The event begins and ends at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo and is expected to attract more than 100 riders.  

The Orange County Ride for AIDS (OCRA) includes century (approximately 100 miles) and metric century (approximately 62 miles) courses through some of the most scenic parts of Orange County including Santiago Canyon, portions of Tustin, Corona del Mar, and Laguna Beach among other areas.  

The ride starts at Saddleback College at 7 a.m. and the course closes at 5 p.m.

According to ride organizers, participants can cover as much of the course as is comfortable for them.

"It's great if cyclists complete the full 100 miles," said Jorge Rodriquez, MD, event chairman.  "But it's really about the message, not the miles.  We want people to sign up, ride as far as they like and raise money to help people with HIV/AIDS," he said.

This will be the first time a ride of this type has been held in the Orange County to collect money for people living with HIV/AIDS.  To participate, riders are asked to pledge $500 in donations and pay a registration fee of $25.   Riders raising $500 or more will receive a free OCRA jersey.  All donations received will go to AIDS Services Foundation Orange County.

Organizers created OCRA after participating for many years in AIDS/LifeCycle, a nearly 600 mile, 7-day ride between Los Angeles and San Francisco.  That event, which has raised millions of dollars for people with HIV/AIDS, has been operating for nearly 10 years.  AIDS/LifeCycle attracts cyclists from Orange County but none of the money raised has been returned to this community.

"AIDS/LifeCycle is a wonderful event.  Our goal is to produce a great cycling event here and have the money raised stay in Orange County," says Dr. Rodriquez.

There are four pit stops and a lunch stop planned along the OCRA route including Oakley, Inc., Lake Forest; Performance Bicycle, Tustin;  Allergan, Irvine (lunch); Madison Square & Garden Cafe, Laguna Beach; and Rock N' Road Cyclery, Laguna Niguel.

The ride is fully supported with medical aid and mechanical help available for bike break downs throughout the entire course.

Among the sponsors supporting the event are The Shopoff Group, Casa Laguna Inn & Spa, Barefoot Wine, Tibotec, Allergan, A Road Bike 4U, Madison Square & Garden Cafe, Oakley, Performance Bicycle, Rock N' Road Cyclery, RBF Consulting, Saddleback College and KSBR-FM.

Annually, ASF helps more then 1,600 men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Orange County.  Services include food, transportation, housing, case management, emergency financial assistance, children and family programs, Latino outreach programs, mental health counseling, support groups, HIV testing, and an extensive array of HIV prevention and education programs.

Visit www.ocrideforaids.com for more information.

SOURCE AIDS Services Foundation Orange County