I’ve never believed in any form or physical activity or exercise; always thought it all to be inhumane and torturous. The only time you’d ever see me running is if it’s for my life or happy hour is ending soon, but there are people (crazy) in this world who love being physically active and fit. Some even are incredibly altruistic and selfless and do so for an amazing cause.
That’s where Jason Hoar comes in. Jason, a fellow JC resident, will be bicycling all the way from Boston to New York City with the Braking AIDS Ride. Biking through Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York to help fight HIV and AIDS, Jason will be pedaling a total of 285 miles! Two hundred and eighty-five miles! I hope his seat has extra padding! As it turns out, Jason proved me wrong—physical activities can be humane after all. Here’s Jason’s story:
What’s the name of the organization behind all of this?
The ride is the Braking AIDS Ride. The ride supports Housing Works which is a charity in New York City. They advocate for access to quality housing, healthcare, and HIV prevention information. They also operate businesses like the Housing Works Thrift Shops and the Housing Works Bookstore Cafe.
So, through the Braking AIDS Ride, you are raising money for Housing Works?
Yes.
Who benefits from this?
Housing Works does advocacy and offers health services for people living with HIV or AIDS. They fight homelessness along with HIV and AIDS prevention and treatment to get people into care and to help them stay in care.
How exactly are you raising money; just by biking?
I am just doing the ride this year. With the ride, we commit to raising a minimum of $3,500 for Housing Works. There are also teams for other events like half-marathons and triathlons.
How many miles will you be biking?
The Braking AIDS Ride is 285 miles.
(285 miles on this seat?! Where’s the padding? Hello, Preparation H!)
Is it one consecutive ride or done over a span of days?
It’s done over the course of three days: September 23rd, 24th,and 25th. It’s a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. We head up on Thursday to Boston, and we will ride about 85 to 115 miles per day depending on the day.
How did you get involved?
Last year, a friend posted on Facebook that he was doing the ride. I didn’t have a bike at the time, but it seemed like a good challenge for a good cause. Part of the ride experience is fundraising. As you do that, you’re talking with your friends, family and co-workers about HIV and AIDS.
This will be your first time doing the ride?
This is my first time. Many of the riders do this every year.
This an annual charity event I take it?
Yes, it occurs every year in September. It’s capped at 150 riders. It’s not a huge event. It’s fully supported by a great crew. As you bike, there are different pit stops for food and water every 15 miles or so along the way. We will be sleeping in hotels and be fed well.
Can anyone sign up?
Anyone can sign up for it. It is a ride, not a race. They just have to make the commitment to raise at least $3,500. There are, I believe, 20 people who are raising 20K. One of the efforts of Housing Works is AIDS-Free NY 2020, which is to bring HIV below epidemic levels, less than 750 cases per year by 2020. So, these 20 people committed to raising 20K individually.
What happens if you don’t raise the minimum of $3,500, can you still ride?
You can choose not to ride or ride if you agree to continue fundraising during the month after the ride to reach the minimum. Many riders fundraise over $5,000.
How do you train for something like this?
Training rides. There are second Saturday rides that we do together. They offer you different options for these rides each month. The August ride is 50 or 80 miles. The September ride is 60 or 100 miles in one day. You’ll ride with a couple of other people who are doing the Braking AIDS Ride. Informally, we meet up on the weekends and bike to different places in NJ.
How are you feeling about the ride; any apprehension at all?
I’m a new rider. I just got my bike in March. I have not had a bike since college. I’ve ran marathons more recently, but nothing with biking. I’ve been able to rely on other riders to learn about types of bikes, types of pedals and then train with them as well. But, I am new and I’m a little afraid of falling over since we’re clipped in.
Are you part of a team or doing this solo?
I’m on the Flying Goats team. There are different teams like the Honey Badgers and Team St. Barts for example. As part of a team, you’re supported in your training and also supported in fundraising. The team will decide what type of fundraising activities they would like to do, then hold those activities and raise money together. My team does events like a game night, a pool party, tabling at street fairs, and even a pig roast.
You’ll be doing the Ride with your team as well?
I’ll be biking with all 150 people, and we go at our own pace. And if you sign up, you don’t have to finish the whole 285 miles. Some people fundraise, but only do part of the ride. There will be a crew to make sure you’re on the right path. We do not take major roads back from Boston; we take local roads.
Why is this important for you to do?
It started off more as a challenge to push myself to meet new people; to get involved in the community. It’s developed from that to understanding the stigma that people with HIV and AIDS face. It’s really highlighted for me that we need to talk about it more. I think we need to continue to break down stigma; it’ll take all of us to end HIV and AIDS.
Do you think you’ll do it again next year?
Maybe, we’ll see. I’ve got to see how the first time goes, but there are different rides and different ways to get involved, so if I’m not doing this, I’ll be doing something else.
When you’re not biking, what are you doing?
I’m running. I have a marathon in Chicago this October. My goal is to do a marathon in each state. I also take spinning classes at the gym, Hamilton Health & Fitness.
What do you do for a living?
I work at a pharmaceutical company in drug research.
How long have you lived in Jersey City?
This is my second year.
Where are you from originally?
I grew up outside of Pittsburgh.
What brought you to JC?
My work. I’m glad I moved here to Jersey City.
Where do you like to bike in JC; any recommendations for fellow cyclists?
Liberty State Park is a great start. It’s flat with bike paths and great views.
What are your favorite JC hotspots?
The best coffee is Tea NJ. Best gelato is Gia’s Gelato. And I’m really into the whole ramen craze, so I like Miso Ramen. I like the Vietnamese place over by Hamilton Park, New Thanh Hoai. South House is also a favorite.
Wishing you the best of luck on your ride, Jason! Don’t fall over!
Links:
Want to get involved with Braking AIDS? Visit: www.brakingaids.org
If you’d like to learn more about Housing Works, visit: www.housingworks.org
If you’d like to donate to Jason’s ride, please go to: www.fundraising.housingworks.org/participant/hoar
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