Join us this August
16-19, 2010 for an extraordinary
new ESAR route! We reward you
for years of hill climbing with
a spectacular four-day flat
ride from Atlantic Highlands,
NJ, just across from NYC, to
the shores of the Potomac. You'll
camp two nights, visit the Cape
May Lighthouse, meander through
the blueberry fields and horse
farms of NJ, then take the Cape
May Ferry to Delaware for a
great sprint to historic Tilghman
Island, MD, for a hotel night
and blue crab feast on the shore
of the Chesapeake. We'll end
with a boat cruise across the
bay and one final lap to a picnic
finish at a gorgeous Potomac
River park.
Our 2010 research
beneficiary is one of the world’s
top AIDS research institute:
The AIDS Research Institute
at the University of California/San
Francisco Breakthrough Fund
uses ESAR funds to
provide seed money for innovative
projects that lead to the kinds
of breakthroughs that make a
tremendous difference in the
fight against HIV/AIDS, such
as life-saving protease inhibitors
whose initial discovery was
made here at UCSF by their own
Charles Craik Laboratory. We
truly believe a cure will someday
come from their labs and we're
proud to support some of their
courageous and innovative work
in its early stages.
We are thrilled
to welcome our newest New York
State AIDS service provider,
the AIDS Service Center
of New York City, which
does remarkable work in the
New York City area. Our service
providers support some of the
state's poorest AIDS/HIV+ clients,
and through the generosity of
our donors have been able to
sustain critically needed services
at a time when many needed services
are being cut elsewhere. We
are also proud to support the
important services provided
by AIDS Community Services
of Western New York,
, and AIDS Community
Resources, based in
Syracuse, NY
Our riders raise
a minimum of $3,000 and can
direct how their money is spent
by signing up with one of our
five "official" teams.
Want to spread your generosity
around? Create your own team
or sign up as an individual
participant on our easy-to navigate
secure Kintera site. Your donations
will be divided among all five
ride beneficiaries.
We're proud to
return 82-percent of the money
we raise to our beneficiaries.
Just joining us for the first
time?
Welcome! Everything you need
to know about ESAR is on this
website. Still have questions?
Email us at day2inc@aol.com
Sign up now to
experience the comeraderie,
the beauty, the challenges and
the joy of our enduring event.
Alan Beach-Nelson
completes
his first 106-mile century
on ESAR 6, Aug. 10-16, 2008
Taughannock
Falls on the
Day 3 route
The ACR staff
cheering at a
Day 3 rest stop near Ithaca.
Allen Payne
at Brown's Berry
Patch on Day 1
Beau Bettinger
ESAR Riders
ESAR Makes
You Tube Debut
ESAR asked
the best and brightest filmmakers
to create something about AIDS.
This is the first in a series
by Nick Rowe, an NYU film school
grad.
2009 Riders,
click HERE
to log-in to your 2009 donation
site.
"I’ve ridden a bike to fight AIDS for over 10 yrs. Dramatic advances have been made but there’s still no cure, so I’ll keep pedaling. Research is expensive but now I can fuel the spark of creative science by funding seed grants awarded from the ARI Breakthrough Fund. In the ESAR, I’ve found a cycling event that’s intimate yet challenging, where a small, determined and loving group of people can push their limits, contribute to a breakthrough and end AIDS once and for all." --Tracy Daugherty (left)
"I
continue to come back
to ride the ESAR, year
after year, because it's
challenging, unbelievably
rewarding and there is
no more of a caring and
loving group of individuals
I would rather spend a
week sweating, hurting,
struggling, laughing,
and loving with than the
ESAR riders and volunteers.
This ride raises an incredible
amount of much needed
funding for several very
deserving AIDS agencies
and the clients they serve.
ESAR will guarantee you
seven days that you will
treasure forever and many
new friends who care as
much as you do about this
cause." --Kevin Judge
"The most amazing thing is witnessing my fellow riders, as we climbed those hills, looking at their faces in utter pain, but with eyes, legs and souls full of determination and commitment. You can feel the energy and spirit bounce off the trees and fill the camp site at the end of the day. And, I wonder how do I leave these "super" human beings? -- So I came back for another ride!" --Lucy Prieto
"Having been a part of the Empire State AIDS Ride since it's inception, I can tell you that each one leaves me even more speechless in describing the camaraderie, strength, and compassion of the people this event brings together. This small but powerful group is making a difference! It has truly become a family affair--with spouses, partners, siblings, parents and kids supporting us. All others who are not related to us become part of the tightly knit ESAR by the end of the week. People think we are doing a selfless thing (and we are), but I receive so much more out of this amazing, life-changing week than I give." --Paula Silvestrone, Executive Director of AIDS Rochester
"There are lots of reasons why I love this ride--my teammates, the wide open road, and the beauty of New York State in the summer. But I DO this ride because it is something meaningful that I can do to help people with HIV/AIDS. Funds we raise work towards preventing HIV, caring for people with AIDS, and conducting research to end the epidemic. You can add to the expanding legacy of ESAR by committing to doing what most people say they can't even imagine. Move beyond your comfort zone. Push yourself to higher levels of fitness and health during training. Spend a week on the road pedaling your bike that will enrich the rest of your life with the goodness and humanity of fellow riders, family, and donors. Make a difference in the lives of people affected by HIV/AIDS!" --Tobie Olsan
"ESAR 5 was probably the most physically challenging "vacation" I could have imagined, but in return it was the most mentally relaxing and emotionally rewarding week of my life. For seven days, I was surrounded by gorgeous landscapes, amazing people, and nothing to worry about but riding my bike." --Cindy Beyer
