6/6 ~ Sometimes Victims, Sometimes Not

1995 USAIDS 5,000

Post #7:

Sometimes, we're victims; sometimes, we're not. I was indeed victimized when a teen deliberately ran me off the road, following an interview in Auburn.  Guy from Guy's Bicycle Shop, Madison, replaced the damaged wheel of my purple monster-bike. We persons living with AIDS hated being called victims--especially in print! (Each picture has more details.)

Sue Fleming all the pics u are posting are so awesome. thank u for sharing your journey
Jim Petretta I'm glad you like them.
Johan Heine The pictures are a good addition to your "impossible dream" Jim Petretta [smile emoticon]
Jennifer Bradburn Harman Jim, these little snippets of your trip have been great. I'm glad you're sharing. Miss you guys.
Jim Petretta Jennifer; it is most gratifying to have a few nice comments...thank you. Are your pups sociable? Perhaps we should plan a puppy play date, although one of us will have to travel. Hugs, j
Jennifer Bradburn Harman Jim, unfortunately our dogs aren't great with other dogs. But we could meet for lunch. We're camping the next few weekends but are you guys free sometime after that?

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 Picture #013

Guy Mintel, from Guy's Bicycle Shop, opened shop on Sunday evening to repair my damage bike, I called the Purple Monster or Purple "Dream Machine". It was a souped up mountain bike. (No, I didn't know better than to do cross-country on a mountain bike. I wasn't a professional cyclist, after all.) Guy replaced the rear wheel and brakes, with something more durable, and donated both his time and parts, to get me back on the road. Notice how he covered the luxury seat with a towel. As best I know, he's still in business. My Grandfather was named "Guy", and this young man, half my age, was the only other person I knew by that name. What a Guy, seriously! Thanks. (Picture from June 4, 1995)
— with Guy Mintel

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Picture #014

Steve Fennessy, of The Citizen, wrote a great article with a horrible headline. We were promoting "productivity" and "living with hope"; nothing resembling "victimization". However, statistically speaking, at that time, it was common knowledge that an AIDS diagnosis equaled death, sooner, rather than later. It was also the first time, but not last, that my adventure was called an odyssey. ( Definition of ODYSSEY. 1 : a long wandering or voyage usually marked by many changes of fortune. 2 : an intellectual or spiritual wandering or quest.) Well, I guess that was me, at the time. I like the pic though. I was wrapping up a hot, sweaty day. (Photo of article from June 3, 1995)

6/5 ~ Change Is In the Air

1995 USAIDS 5,000
Post #6:
"Change is in the air" depicts the sentiment behind both of these photos. I am showing off our new nylon, light weight 2-man pup tent; and University of Rochester was promoting SAVE (Support AIDS Vaccine Effort). (Each picture has more details.)

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Picture #011

 

" It can't be morning, already!" In 1995, the concept of nylon light-weight tenting was relatively new. Carl Lebman nicknamed our Ridgeway "Home", because it became home for approximately 2 out of our 3 months on the road. My baby sister, Sheila Abner, held a yard/bake sale to earn money for this tent. She shipped it from Tennessee. I used it for several years beyond USAIDS 5000, and then sold it to a mom for her kids to play in. (Picture from June 2, 1995)

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Picture #012

Dr. Keefer, UR Medical Center, took part in a Rochester press conference at AIDS Rochester, on June 1, 1995. Part of our mission was to promote "hope" through vaccine research, and lesser known at the time, new Protease Inhibitor studies, which ultimately became part of the "cocktail" (and replaced AZT and DDI, two offensive drugs, due to their horrible side effects.) We shared his message everywhere we went, and made public Corporate Challenges, to contribute $1 per mile to their local AIDS Agencies. Twenty years later, we still have no vaccine, yet there is remarkable good news about the effectiveness of current drugs in reducing viral load of HIV carriers. (Picture from June 1, 1995 and Picture of Letter from June 2, 1995)

6/4 ~ Ruth Riotta & Tony Venable

1995 USAIDS 5,000
Post #5:
Support for USAIDS 5,000 came in many forms. Ruth Riotta was a volunteer at Macedon Fire Department; and made space for Carl and I on our first camp night on their lawn. Tony Venable created the original sketched design our volunteer team adopted, before it was put to CAD format for use on tees and buttons. (Each picture has more details.)

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Picture #009

Ruth Riotta was 80 years old when Carl Lebman and I met her; so, if she is still living, she would now be 100, and smiling. Ruth made space for our tent, and opened the Fire Station for us to have free showers, and a bite to eat, also supplied by Macedon FD. (Note: The trailer behind the bike that I often pulled. It weighed 55-80 lbs, depending on what I needed to haul at any given time.) (Picture from June 1, 1995)
— with Ruth Riotta, Volunteer

Ginger Pagano you kinda look like freddy mecury in some of these pics, can u sing???:)

 

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Picture #010

 
I believe the tribute is readable. Tony's battle with our disease ended before he saw his own creation in button or tee shirt form. He granted permission to use his name, at the time of his donation. On the tee, the AIDS ribbon sits right over the heart, so I carried Tony in my heart the entire distance. RIP you sweet, sweet man! Your efforts made a huge difference, and you are remembered. (Picture of poster from 1994, but not sure of the date. At the time, Benedict House was on Plymouth Ave in Buffalo.)

Nancy K. Sorensen Your saga makes me deliriously happy and incredibly sad. Lovin' the Iliad, I mean...the Odyssey.

6/3 ~ Ingram Micro & Continental

1995 USAIDS 5,000
Post #4:
We managed to say "thank you" by letters and publicly, during interviews, but in 1995, there was no means to shout out praise for so many volunteers. Thank you Ingram Micro, The Continental, Cheri Floriano and sister Marsha Petretta for helping with our costs. (Each picture has more details.)

Kim Roman I'm enjoying these daily posts!

Jim Petretta Thanks for the feedback, Kim. My goals are multiple...to celebrate the 20th anniversary of this incredible ride...to say thanks to so many people I have come to love...and to make this a public record of events from long ago. Throughout the summer, I will post numerous newspaper clippings and lots of pics from mundane to insane, lol. Glad someone will look forward to these posts. Hugs, j

Kim Roman It's a great way to do it all 20 Years ago no one would have known if they didn't see it in the paper. Today the Internet allows us to share, educate and reach so many more people!
 

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Picture #007

Ingram Micro was USAIDS 5,000 largest corporate sponsor, and it was our goal to bicycle from their Eastern Hqs. in Williamsville to their Western Hqs. in Anaheim, CA. They participated in my send-off, and gave me a grand reception in Anaheim. (Picture from May 24, 1995)
— with Lynn Close, Ingram Micro and Cheri Floriano 

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Picture #008

 
Christine Ard, cashier, and Marty, the bartender, were responsible for organizing this huge fundraiser. My own volunteers included Cheri Floriano and Marsha Petretta (my sister, who drove in from Indiana to help with this event.) (Pictures from January 20, 1995) — with Cheri Floriano and Marsha Petretta Nelson at The Continental. (Picture of flyer from January 20, 1995)
— with Cheri Floriano and Marsha Petretta Nelson

6/2 ~ Rochester

1995 USAIDS 5,000
Post #3:
Nobody contributed more to help me with 1995 USAIDS 5,000 than Carl Lonobile-Lebman, my friend and bike trip manager. He drove the follow-car; finalized meals and sleeping arrangements; set up media interviews and visits to AIDS Agencies, and much, much more. (Each picture has more details.)

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Picture #005

Carl Lonobile-Lebman closed his own salon to volunteer for USAIDS 5,000 for 3 full months, without pay! He could add accent to emphasis in promoting our cause, selling tees, and tending to my every need on the road. I am forever in his debt! (Picture from May 10, 1995)
— with Lebman Carl

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Picture #006

This was one of my first on-tour interviews with Democat and Chronicle in Rochester. Carl was in the follow-vehicle. A police escort was in front of me. We were departing from AIDS Rochester, on our way to Albany June 1, 1995. (Picture of article from June 1, 1995)

Nancy K. Sorensen I liked you before, I love you now [heart emoticon] Brave in the wake of horrible circumstances.
Johan Heine It's a honour to be your friend and we are glad te have been your hosts in the city of Utrecht where cycling is normal:-) xx

6/1 ~ First Meal & ICOB

1995 USAIDS 5,000
Post #2:
This was my first meal on the road May 31, 1995. I soon learned to eat 5 meals per day, for needed calories. But to make USAIDS 5,000 possible, months of planning and lots of work and donations came in, like from my friends in Imperial Court of Buffalo. (Each picture has more details.)

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Picture #003

This was my very first meal on the road, about half way to Rochester, from Buffalo. I soon learned to eat 5 meals a day, to replace calories burned. (Picture from May 31, 1995)

Sue Fleming wished i would have known you back then you rode right past my house. but i know you now and i am so proud to call you my friend.

Nancy K. Sorensen Buff and hot....oh, yes....where were we? Thank goodness you took care of yourself. lol

 

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Picture #004

Much work and planning went into making USAIDS 5,000 a successful ride, including this fundraising event hosted by Club Marcella in Rochester on May 10, 1995, and presented by my longtime great friends in the Imperial Court of Buffalo (ICOB). (Picture of flyer from May 10, 1995)

Chevon Davis I remember this show!
Salvatore Indelicato · 5 mutual friends Good times [smile emoticon]
J Grant Anderson · 2 mutual friends Was that really 20 years ago?! & how do you remember that Chevon Davis? I can barely remember what I did yesterday! What did I have for breakfast today? Did I brush my teeth? Oh no I forgot my underwear. Oh wait no I didn't that's on purpose. Did you see that hot guy? What was I doing again? 
Nancy K. Sorensen I'm with you. But I remember this being a very very difficult road - so to speak
Kevin V Wagner wow. great piece of history
Garrett King Always grateful to you Chevon Davis and others like Vicky Vogue that helped pave the way for the freedom we celebrate now. 
Chevon Davis If you noticed...this event was done at Club Marcella in Rochester. This was one of Reign 5's first events.
Bill Stoetzel · Friends with Al Liberante and 1 other It was one of our first events.... and my first time at the original Marcella's
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5/31 ~ Buffalo City Hall & USAIDS 5000 Day

1995 USAIDS 5,000
Post #1:
Twenty years ago, today, I embarked on a 5,000 mile bicycle journey to help support and put another face on AIDS. There was no viable Internet place to document this life-altering, 3-month event, then. So, over the next 90 days, I will do so, here. (Each picture has more details.)

Nancy K. Sorensen Twenty years ago was a very very sad time. I thank you profoundly for doing this, twenty years later. I lost my best friend due to this horrible epidemic and fought prejudice against those who were afflicted. You did a wonderful thing, those were dark days indeed.
Gene Ver This is awesome, Jim! There is so much to be thankful for!
Jean Hopkins What an awesome guy you are ! Most could never hold a candle to you.
Jackie Jaszczynski Jim Petretta I always knew you are special.... You Are Amazing...
  

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Picture #001

Mayor Masiello, The Children's Hospital Pact Program and Ingram Micro all sponsored this grand departure for USAIDS 5,000. Next Stop: Rochester, NY. (Picture from May 31, 1995)
— with John Maggiore and Mayor Tony Masiello

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Picture #002

 
Mayor Masiello proclaimed May 31, 1995 as USAIDS 5,000 Day in Buffalo, NY. (Picture of Proclamation from May 31, 1995)