CUNA's Gore participates in AIDS ride

RALEIGH, N.C. to WASHINGTON-CUNA Communications Specialist Jennifer Gore recently took the ride of her life. Gore participated in the 330-mile Washington, D.C. AIDS Ride from Raleigh, North Carolina to the nation’s Capitol. Gore had been training since March at 70-mile intervals. “I didn’t own a bike until February,” she admits. Now, Gore says she is addicted to cycling. Gore said she decided to participate in the ride for the personal challenge and, equally, for the cause. She figures, “If you’ve got to do a challenge, do something good.” Gore, who is African-American, noted the rising number of people infected with and affected by AIDS, particularly among African-Americans and Africans. As much as 5% of the population of Washington, D.C. is infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The Washington ride goes to benefit the Whitman-Walker Clinic, a Washington, D.C. housing facility for persons with HIV/AIDS, and Food and Friends, an organization that delivers food to AIDS patients. The Washington AIDS Ride included 2,018 riders over four days, Thursday, June 21 through Sunday, June 24. Unfortunately, Gore was unable to complete the entire trek because she fell ill Saturday and only completed 42 of the 90 miles for that day. She was pulled from the course for being badly dehydrated but was able to complete the final day’s 50-mile ride. [email protected]