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What a great web site
you have! You are such
a great man and awesome
advocate. YOU
INSPIRE ME and a host
of other people!
~James Pennington
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And we're
off! |
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In loving
memory of Frank Torcaso and Mike McKinney-We
will never forget! |
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For
the third year now I have had the
distinct privilege and honor to
speak and crew for the ACT IV AIDS
Ride here in Madison, Wisconsin.
This years ride was filled with
more love and compassion than one
could possibly imagine. It was wonderful
to see many new people with us this
year! The ride took on a particularly
deeper meaning as we remembered
our dear friends Mike McKinney and
Frank Torcaso. Mike
and Frank were cornerstones of the
ACT Rides. Sadly, they both passed
away just weeks prior to the ride.
Thankfully we were joined by Barbara
McKinney (Mike’s Mom) and Chris
(Mike’s dear friend) as well as
by Team Torcaso. Chris and Barbara
crewed and volunteered with us and
Team Torcaso consisted of
 15
members of Frank’s amazing family.
Team Torcaso also crewed as well
as rode in this years ride. Their
presence was a poignant tribute
to two tireless men in the fight
against AIDS. I was in utter awe
of the strength, determination and
poise these two families possess!
I was fortunate to carry Mike’s
helmet for awhile on closing day
and I felt as if I had Mike all
around me. His spirit was definitely
a driving force for me and many
others. I wore a lanyard with photos
of Mike and Frank for the ride as
a mere token of my love and appreciation
for all that they gave to our community
in the fight against AIDS. They
are deeply missed by many and their
honor and memories will live on
through all of us who participate
on the rides and elsewhere in our
community. This year’s ride took
in over $230,000 for the AIDS Network
and put the combined total for all
the rides over a million dollars!
The route was absolutely beautiful
and without any major incident.
One definite highlight was standing
in an utter downpour of the final
day and watching rider after countless
rider brave the elements of Mother
Nature and pedal boldly, carefully
and determined into the morning
rain storm. It was one example of
the determination, commitment and
compassion that help to make up
the ‘ACT Rider.’ Their desire to
finish strong was not to be stopped!
The closing ceremonies, led by our
dear friend James Pennington from
Milwaukee, were absolutely incredible.
A huge thank you and congratulations
to Jeanne who was this year’s top
fundraiser and took away a new road
bike for her efforts and a raucous
applause from the crowd. As I took
the stage to speak, I was met with
an overwhelming applause from my
Heroes, the riders and crew of ACT
IV. I was reminded once again of
the love, enthusiasm and compassion
that the ACT Rides stand for. From
the depths of my heart, I extend
a sincere and most gracious thank
you to all who participated in and
or supported the ACT IV AIDS Ride.
I wish I could say there would be
no need for an ACT V. However…I
will see you next year in full force!
Fight on my friends!
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Photo by:
Steve Apps-State
Journal
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The "riderless"
bike, representing
those who
have died
of AIDS,
brought
tears to
many, including
Cass Marie
Downing,
left, and
Bob Bowers,
at closing
ceremonies
for the
ACT 4 AIDS
Network
Cycles Together
bike ride
Sunday.
Downing,
34, has
been HIV-positive
for 12 years
and Bowers,
43, has
had AIDS
for 23 years.
Leading
the bike
was "a huge
honor,"
said Downing,
"to be able
to keep
the spirit
alive for
people."
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MON., AUG 7, 2006 - 11:43
AM
Cyclists ride to benefit
AIDS Network, raise $233,305
Reporter: JUDY NEWMAN
Nancy Bertalmio, of Batavia,
Ill., clutched a bouquet
of flowers as she stood
along the curb of Martin
Luther King, Jr. Blvd.,
waiting for the 130 cyclists
on the ACT 4 AIDS Network
Cycles Together Ride to
make their final lap Sunday.
The pink roses and peach
Peruvian lilies were for
her son, Joe Bertalmio,
22, a senior at Illinois
State University in Normal,
Ill. He's ridden in each
of the Madison AIDS Network's
four rides, and this year,
convinced his mom to join
the 90 crew members as part
of the food crew.
"I'm proud of him," Nancy
Bertalmio said. "He just
likes to help out mankind."
Jan Breisath had a cheering
section of three - her mother,
aunt and sister - armed
with red and white pompons,
waiting for her. It was
the third AIDS Network ride
for Breisath, 51, Brooklyn,
an employee of J.T. Packard,
Verona.
"There were some hot days
for her, but she made it,"
her aunt, Florinda Wittwer
of Monticello, said proudly.
Several hundred people cheered
and applauded as the cyclists
made their "victory ride"
off the Capital Square and
hoisted their bikes over
their heads, capping "a
1,600-foot vertical climb,
330 miles, four days and
one dream," as speaker James
Pennington, executive director
of the Milwaukee LGBT (Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual and Transgender)
Community Center, told the
crowd.
Riders and helpers stood
silently together, their
arms wound around each other's
shoulders, as the final,
"riderless" bike was rolled
in, "representing the joy
in the lives of those taken
away from us by this disease,"
Pennington said. "Their
spirits were there to encourage
us, to push us, to remind
us."
The group also observed
a moment of silence for
Mike McKinney, the WMTV
(Channel 15) anchorman who
died of cancer in July.
McKinney, 41, past honorary
chair of the AIDS ride,
donated his bike to the
AIDS Network, said Pennington,
calling the bike "a symbol
of a man taken too soon."
The closing celebration
lauded the riders' stamina
- pushing on in heat and
humidity, over hills and
through Sunday morning's
downpours - and their fundraising.
They collected $233,305
to support the AIDS Network
of South Central Wisconsin,
for a total of $1.1 million
raised through the four
rides sponsored by the organization.
"They are truly my inspiration,"
said Bob Bowers of Madison,
his voice choking with emotion.
"The love and gratitude
I feel for them is immense."
But Bowers, who's been
living
with HIV and AIDS for 23
years, also expressed anger
about a lack of progress
in finding a cure for the
immune system disorder or
in changing society's attitude.
"Shame, homophobia and sheer
ignorance continue to shroud
HIV/AIDS. It is a scourge
in the true meaning of the
word," Bowers said. "We
are not lepers or indispensable.
We are brothers, sisters,
daughter, sons, parents,
and yes, even grandparents."
Claire Winter's son, Frank
Torcaso of Madison, died
of AIDS June 30 at age 43.
Winter, 67, of Highland,
has ridden the AIDS Network
ride in past years, but
this time, it was especially
important, she said. "My
son was with me all the
way," Winter added.
Jan Hornback, Madison, has
friends who have lost loved
ones to AIDS. A rookie on
the AIDS ride, she was struck
with the way "everyone helped
one another."
The ride was a tough challenge,
said Hornback, 61, an employee
of the UW-Madison Graduate
School. "On the second day,
you couldn't find a spot
to sit on that was not sore,"
she said.
After pedaling the full
330 miles and then some,
Hornback said she was looking
forward to going home and
taking a shower. But she's
not ready to hang up her
wheels just yet.
"I'm taking the day off
tomorrow and I'm going to
go for a bike ride," she
said.
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 Bob
Bowers of Madison hugs Claire Winter during
AIDS ride registration Wednesday night at
Wright Middle School. Winter's son, Frank
Torcaso, died of the disease on June 30
at age 43. She has ridden or helped as crew
on the annual ride since 2003.
Photo by Michelle Stocker/The Capital Times
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 Team
Torcaso, relatives of the late Frank Torcaso,
are together in the ACT 4 ride starting
today. Front row from left: Taylor Torcaso,
Kevin Roys, Danielle Chahdi and Brittany
Peterson. Second row: Michaela Torcaso,
Eric Shanley, Angela Handley, Dawn Torcaso,
Valerie Peterson and John Peterson. Third
row: Bev Bontrager, Claire Winter, Ginny
Martinson and Pamela Chahdi. The 15th member
of the team is Frank's partner of 13 years,
Sam Schultz.
Photo by Michelle Stocker/The Capital Times
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Please enjoy
the slide show
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Hi
Bob,
You are water to me. I loved working lunch
pit with you and just the presence of you
through all the challenges and love of the
ride gave me stability. Thank you. The closing
ceremony was electrified by your speaking,
and I was so glad that you brought anger
and politics to the table. Only you could
do that right. It needed to be said and
it made a difference that you said it. You
turn people on and you affect me so much.
Good luck on your trip. I'll be looking
forward to seeing you again when you're
back in town.
Love,
Jen
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Bob's Talk at the Closing Ceremonies
Good Afternoon Everyone:
It is truly wonderful to see you all here today!
As you may know, June 5th 1981 marked
the 25th anniversary of AIDS. I have
been proudly living with HIV/AIDS for 23 of
those years. While we have made some welcome
advances in the fight against AIDS, I’m deeply
disappointed and discouraged with the state
of the pandemic 25 years later.
The ongoing troubles that plague those living
with this disease are insurmountable. Shame,
homophobia and sheer ignorance, at times, continues
to shroud HIV/AIDS.
AIDS is a scourge in the
true meaning of the word. How are we to see
its end if we cannot get beyond racism, homophobia
and continually marginalizing our most needy
citizens? We must continue to pressure our government
and global leaders. They have lost the collective
heart and divisions on the topic run deep.
We are not lepers or indispensable; we are brothers,
sister, sons, daughters, parents, and yes, even
grandparents who for one reason or another were
infected with the AIDS virus. The “H” in HIV
stands for Human. If we can unite to end AIDS,
we will hopefully put right many other divisions
that face us as a world.
My friends, the riders, crew and steering committee
of the ACT 4 Ride are some of the most courageous,
commendable and compassionate warriors in the
fight against AIDS. Their efforts are tireless,
their commitment is deep and without fail. Their
hearts are full of love; they see no race, religion
or sexual preference. They are truly my inspiration.
The love and gratitude I feel for them is immense.
In turn, we all extend our sincere appreciation
to all of our sponsors who graciously gave of
their time and services.
As a client and advocate of the
AIDS Network,
as well as a returning crew member to the
ACT
Rides, I can’t begin to thank the staff and
Board of Directors enough for their support
and services to so many people like me throughout
South Central Wisconsin. You provide a much-needed
beacon of light in some very dark times.
It is my heartfelt honor to present this year’s
check to the Executive Director of
AIDS Network,
Mr. Bob Power.
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Bob
speaking at the closing ceremonies
for the ACT IV AIDS Ride
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Presenting
this year's check to AIDS Network's
Executive Director Bob Power
Thanks Bob for all that you
do!
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The
riderless bike is the pinnacle of the AIDS Rides.
It represents those who are not able to ride
and are no longer with us. On ACT II, AIDS Network
and Friends went a step further and created
Rider Zero. Rider Zero is a registered rider
and makes the entire route, including being
walked into camp each night as well as the opening
and closing ceremonies. This year with
the loss of our dear friends Mike McKinney and
Frank Torcaso, the riderless bike struck emotions
deep within us all. Frank and Mike were tireless
advocates in the fight against AIDS and were
involved with three of the ACT Rides. I felt
so honored to have walked Rider Zero into the
closing ceremonies of this years ride as I had
watched Frank do so proudly each year! I wore
photos of Mike and Frank around my neck throughout
the ride as a simple gesture of my love and
appreciation for all that they've done in the
fight against HIV/AIDS. They truly were with
us in spirit and I can't speak enough about
their families and how they were determined
to ride, crew and honor the memories of these
two most brave and inspirational
men.
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Rider Zero resting
aboard a sweep vehicle
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Rider Zero being
walked into camp
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Frank Torcaso
(Front Left) and his family walking in rider
zero to closing ceremonies on ACT III
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Gratefully carrying
Mike's helmet to the closing ceremonies
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And I shall name
him, "Mini Mike"-What a sincere honor to have
Mike's helmet
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We will never
ever forget. Your presence is deeply missed!
R.I.P. Frank and Mike
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Da Pirate,
Riders and
Crew complete
another
amazing
year on
this year's
ACT IV AIDS
Ride. The
ride raised
over $233,000.00
for the
AIDS Network
in Madison.
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Michaela Torcaso (sister of Frank Torcaso) is a tireless supporter of the ACT Rides
Thank you Michaela for all that you do to honor Frank and others!
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If you want others
to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion.
~Dalai
Lama
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We're off to see the Wizard!
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Thank you Annie!
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A gracious thank you to
the ACT Riders and Crew!
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Thank you Pam and Marge!
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Allison eats hills in her
sleep!
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My Angel Matt and his beautiful
wife Pam-Thank you!
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With Mary (my
former case
manager), Jason
who has been
an amazing friend
and supporter
and my awe-inspiring
friend Mitch
Weber from ABC's
Channel 27.
These three
friends embody
compassion and
commitment.
Thank you! |
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Teresa, James and Da Pirate
at closing ceremonies
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Lora, you inspire me and
countless others!
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Drum roll please....the
check is in!
The ride has currently taken
in over,
$233,000
This year put the combined
ride totals over one million
dollars! THANK YOU riders
and crew!
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| To
care for anyone else enough to make their problems
one's own, is ever the beginning of one's real
ethical development. ~Felix
Adler |
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Another spectacular
year of news coverage from the ACT IV Ride.
Thanks to our friends who reported, rode, crewed
or both! Your support and compassion are most
appreciated!
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This
was Katy's second year of chewin
up asphalt and hills for AIDS! A
heartfelt thank you for your beautifully
inspiring road coverage and for
pedaling! Katy you are absolutely
beautiful inside and out!
Please
take time to view awesome video
coverage from Katy, Jay and Channel
3000
Click here
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We love you Pam!
Pam did an amazing job with Katy and Jay reporting
live
each day of the ACT IV Ride.
Please take the time to learn more about this
remarkable woman at CBS's Channel 3000:
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Day two of the
ACT IV AIDS Ride theme was the "Wizard of OZ."
Returning as the "Check in Lady" for ACT IV,
dressing as Dorothy seemed befitting. We all
had a wonderful time 'despite' and took some
photo ops with our returning protesters.
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Volunteers
and riders join in the fun!
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Da cops
know how to deal with the protestors the best, or at least
in a lawful manner!
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Da Pirate enjoying a
photo op w/ our photographer
Kelly Doering. Thank
you Kelly for your ongoing
commitment! Please visit
Kelly's site for over
1,000 spectacular professional
photos from the ACT
IV AIDS Ride. Please
note that 50% of the
profits from photo or
CD sales
will go back to the
ACT Rides!
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A huge thank you to
James Pennington for
leading a terrific closing
ceremonies!
We hope to have you
back in Madison SOON!
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Please enjoy the slide show
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A religious
man is a person who holds God and man in one
thought at one time, at all times, who suffers
harm done to others, whose greatest passion
is compassion, whose greatest strength is love
and defiance of despair.
~Abraham
Joshua Heschel
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Are
you ready to ride? Help the cause of HIV/AIDS?
Please
visit the
www.actride.org
website
Sign
up for
ACT V AIDS Ride today and change your life,
change your world!
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Thank you Katy for sharing this with
all of us! ;
Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits.
The rebels. The trouble-makers. The
round heads in the square holes. The
ones who see things differently. They're
not fond of rules, and they have no
respect for the status-quo. You can
quote them, disagree with them, glorify,
or vilify them. But the only thing you
can't do is ignore them. Because they
change things. They push the human race
forward. And while some may see them
as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because
the people who are crazy enough to think
they can change the world, are the ones
who do.
~Jack Kerouac
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