Bikers hit the road for charity

By pedal power and horsepower, bikes converged by the thousands on Portland and Augusta on Sunday in separate rides to raise money for AIDS research and to collect Christmas gifts for needy Maine children.

In Augusta, thousands of motorcyclists made their annual ride to Capitol Park, where they dropped off an estimated 12,000 stuffed toys, games and other gifts.

Three truckloads of presents collected will be distributed by the Salvation Army to families all over the state before the holidays.

Phil Reid, organizer of the United Bikers of Maine’s 20th annual event, called it the largest of its kind in the nation and the world. Gov. Angus King drove his own motorcycle in the event, and three of the four members of the state’s congressional delegation rode on others’ bikes.

“There’s other toy runs, but nothing like this,” Reid said as the gathering in Capitol Park wound down.

The event, which started with 30 motorcycles, drew an estimated 9,000 on Sunday. Reid wants it to grow even larger, and invited communities all over the state to contribute gifts they collect.

“Instead of every kid getting a toy, I want them to get two or three,” Reid said.

Meanwhile, 1,800 bicyclists began arriving in Portland for the finish of a five-day bicycle ride to raise money to help fund research to develop a vaccine for AIDS.

The 400-mile trek, called the Canada-U.S. AIDS Vaccine Ride, began in Montreal on Wednesday. Similar events have been run this year in Montana and Alaska.

Participants rode through Vermont and New Hampshire and spent Saturday night in Wells before making the final leg in summerlike temperatures to Portland’s Deering Oaks Park. The ride was expected to raise about $6 million.

“We talk about [AIDS] all along the way. It’s a way of educating in a nonconfrontational way,” said Ray Dumont, 34, a member of Team Portland who was pedaling from Montreal. Riders were each required to raise $3,400 in pledges before they began the trip.