What’s NYCDC 2 all about?

The NYCDC AIDS Research Ride is a production of Day2 Inc., a 501c3 not-for-profit corporation. Our federal tax ID number is 83-0340186. (If you are making a matching gift this is the EIN number your company may request.)

We developed this ride to raise money for the next phase of laboratory research by noted virologist Dr. Yuntao Wu and his team at George Mason University in Virginia, who have made an exciting breakthrough in understanding how the AIDS virus attacks the human immune system. Our goal for 2009 is to raise $250,000 in seed money to sponsor Dr. Wu’s next stage of research. We believe he’s on the path to finding a cure for AIDS.

Dr. Wu published a major paper in the noted journal Cell in September 2008 which showed for the first time how the HIV virus attacks human T cells. His paper, and subsequent publications, have the attention of AIDS researchers across the globe.

Our 2009 ride of 330 miles from New York City to Washington, DC begins on Thursday, September 10th in New York City and ends on Sunday, September13th in Washington, DC. The ride is limited to the first 99 riders who register. Riders pay a $100 registration fee and raise $2,500 by registration on Sept. 9th, 2008 to participate.

We look forward to again welcoming Dr. Wu and his research team, who not only captivated us with details of his research but marked our route, work ed at the rest stops along the way, and helped at camp. Their enthusiasm and participation, along with the support of the George Mason University's Science Department and Foundation made this a truly extraordinary experience.

The route

This is a trip you'll never forget. Our beautiful route begins with a ferry ride from Pier 11 at the foot of Wall Street to Atlantic Highlands, NJ, where you’ll pedal through horse country and tour quiet backroads on a two-day ride to Cape May. We camp both nights at grounds with hot showers and great facilities. (We provide the roomy 8 x 8-foot tents. You just need to bring a warm sleeping bag and pillow) We visit the historic Cape May lighthouse and stop for drinks in the popular tourist resort, then take the Cape May-Lewes Ferry to Delaware. Our ferry was escorted in 2008 by a pod of dolphins!

We complete the ride acoss the Delaware-Maryland peninsula with a blue crab feast at a popular Kent Narrows marina, and spend the third night at an adjacent motel. Your double-occupancy room is included in your $100 registration fee. There is an additional $75 solo tent/room fee if you prefer your own tent and private motel room. The solo room/tent option is available to the first 10 people who request it.

On the fourth day you'll ride six miles to a marina on the Chesapeake, where we'll collect your bike and you'll board a yacht for a tour of the Chesapeake and a beautiful ride into Annapolis. Your bikes will be waiting there and you'll complete the ride into Washington, DC.

How tough is it?

Walk, stretch and cross train at a gym over the winter. Once the snow melts, plan on spending weekends on your bike. Start with easy 10-15 mile rides and add 5-percent to your distance each time you ride. Before you know it, you'll be in shape for NYCDC 2.

Are you a racer? Slow down! It's a gorgeous route with plenty to see, and if you go too fast you'll miss all the camaraderie on the road. (We've also found that riders who maintain a moderate pace are less likely to be injured.).

Are you new to cycling? Relax and take your time! This is a ride, not a race. If you can sustain an average speed of 9 miles an hour you can complete every day. Need to take a break or sag to the next rest stop? Our volunteers will ferry you and your bike and allow you to keep riding if you choose. That's one of the perks of a small ride.

Can I ride my old bike 330 miles?

That's a question for you & your local bike shop. If you're unsure of your bike's road worthiness, take it to a good bike shop for a tune-up. Make sure the brakes and tires are in good shape. Inflate the tires to the proper pressure. Never changed a flat before? Buy a pump, spare tube, tire irons and patch kit and ask your bike pro to teach you how to use them. Always ride with a basic repair kit, ID, cash, and always wear a helmet.

Have your bike pro adjust the seat and handlebars to fit your body. We're found that almost all knee, neck and wrist injuries - and a sore seat - are the result of an improper fit or poor posture in the saddle.

Now put on your helmet and take your bike out for a spin. Can you ride 10 miles comfortably? 20? 50 with some training?

Feeling tired or sore after a workout is normal. Feeling pain in a specific point is a sign that your equipment needs adjusting. Even a fraction of an inch in seat or handlebar height can mean the difference between a strong ride or an injury.

What about camping and meals?

We promise you hot showers, real bathrooms (no porta-potties for us!) and dry campsites with indoor options in case of poor weather. We supply roomy 8 x 8 foot tents with a generous rain fly, big enough for two participants. Love to camp but don't want to share a tent or want to bring your own? For $75 surcharge you can have your own tent and camping site, just let us know before Sept. 1 so we can reserve an extra campsite for you.

We feasted on local barbecue, fresh fruits and vegetables, great Maryland seafood and hearty hot breakfasts with plenty of hot coffee. We have lots of vegetarian options, including salads and pasta dishes with beans and tofu.

We have a morning and afternoon rest stop each day where we serve sweet and salty snacks, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, fresh fruit, Gatorade and water. We serve hearty sandwiches and vegetables at our lunch st ops.

If you're a vegan, please contact ride director Marty Rosen directly at (917) 817-5775 to discuss your nutritional requirements.

Can I really raise $2,500?

In this economy, raising money takes persistence, planning and an early start. With help from those of us who have raised tens of thousands of dollars for AIDS causes, you can surpass your $2,500 minimum.

We truly believe in the work Dr. Wu is doing and are confident that his research will eventually lead to new treatments that will save lives and change the course of the epidemic. We need to give him the resources to let his research team continue at the same high level.

Here are a few rules we follow:

• Talk about your ride! Former top fundraiser Jenny Rosetti asked everyone to support her, even the mayor of her New Jersey town. He wrote a check and forwarded her story to two local newspapers. A local car dealership donated $1000 because of Jenny's persistence.

• Always carry donation forms! Everywhere! Bring them out to dinner. Keep a stack at your desk. Never go to the gym without one!

• If you ask for $25 you'll get $25. Don't! Ask your supporters to give as much as they can. Many of our riders asked friends to donate $1 a mile and they collected dozens of checks for $560. Three ESAR riders last year asked friends to contribute $3,200 -- and they did

• ASK. Talking about your training is great. But don't forget to ask for support!

And, a few phrases to remember:

"Please, support my efforts." "I can take a check." "I'll help you fill out this form now." "That's okay, if you don't have a check, you can write down your credit card number." "Thank you! Your donation matters."

Don't forget to write

Get started by composing a fundraising letter to send to your friends, family and co-workers.

As you customize your letter, tell your friends why you've decided to make this trip. Some of us are riding to honor the memory of lost friends or partners, some of us are living with HIV/AIDS, some love the opportunity to take on a physical challenge and do some good at the same time. This year’s ride is a rare opportunity to directly fund what may be the most important research conducted in the fight against AIDS.

All of us are saying by our participation that we are committed to the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Here are some tips for writing an effective letter:

• Make it personal. Make it interesting! You're doing something great!

• Keep your letter to a single page

• Check for typos!

• Print it out and have a friend read it before you mail it.

Send your personalized letter to everyone in your address book along with a donation form and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

When your donations arrive, and BEFORE you mail them to us, please go to your personal web page and enter them there. Make sure you include email addresses, particularly for donations of more than $250. We do NOT sell our mailing list, so your supporters don't have to worry about spam. Our system automatically generates an email receipt which is the only record your supporters will get for tax purposes. (And the only contact they'll have from us.) AFTER you enter your checks, mail them to the NYCDC AIDS Ride, P.O. Box 26, Piermont, NY 10968.

Internet donations

You may also offer your supporters the option of contributing online.

We love the convenience of the internet. We've also heard from walkers and riders from around the country and they all agree, sending an e-mail on the Kintera system is easy and you'll get results. Many have told us they've increased the level of giving by more than 20-percent by using the internet. Click here for some quick tips on how to get the most out of your personal web page!

Start by writing a personal note to your friends. Here are some samples to get you started. You can send the same note to everyone from the Kintera site and your e-mail list will be blocked from your recipients. It's a more personal touch.

Follow the same rules for writing a regular letter.

• Make it personal! Make it interesting! You're doing something great!

• Keep your note brief. No more than four paragraphs.

• Check for typos!

• Print it out and have a friend read it first.

Donors who supp ort you by e-mail will automatically receive a thank you generated by the website. That's a nice start, but they'll also appreciate a phone call or a good old-fashioned thank you note.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

We can't say it enough, and neither can you!

Your donors will appreciate a sincere thank you, and they'll remember your effort when you ask them to support you in the future.

Print a postcard using a picture of you and your bike and mail it with a note of thanks.

Send a note describing your training efforts.

Print out address labels or hand write address labels with the names and addresses of all your donors. Bring it with you to New York along with a packet of stamps. Send your donors a postcard from the starting point and thank them for their part in helping you get there. Or send them a postcard from the US Capitol, which you'll see at the end of our 330 mile journey, and tell them you made it!