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About the CABT
The purpose of the tour is to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS in
our state and raise funds for the organizations that provide
supportive services and housing to people with HIV/AIDS.
Riders can choose to ride every day or one or more. We’ve designed
the tour so that you can pick from a variety of rides to suit your
style, ability and sense of adventure.
All riders are expected to raise as
much as they can. Riders who organize a team of five or more
riders will have their registration fee waived and will have a
$250 per person minimum daily fundraising requirement.
Click on Rider Info to find out how you can register for CABT
2008. Or email us at
shawn@ctaidscoalition.org to get on the email list for riders.
History of CABT
The CABT was launched in 2002 by the CT AIDS Residence Coalition,
the Hartford Gay & Lesbian Health Collective, the CT Positive
Action Coalition, and the Outreach Services Program of Windham
Regional Community Council and friends.
We hope to bring attention to the need
for a renewed movement to advocate for the necessary dollars, both
to stem the spread of HIV and provide services to people living
with AIDS. We need a new spirit of leadership to articulate and
act on a vision for ending this health crisis, from the Governor's
office to every other public official.
In 2005, the Connecticut AIDS Bike Tour
attracted a record sixty riders from ages sixteen to sixty who
collectively raised over $60,000. While we had many returning
riders, the vast majority of riders were new to our tour. It was
exciting to see three teams participating in the ride. Returning
were perennial favorites the Hammerin’ Cycles headed up by tour
co-founders Dan Livingston and Peggy Shorey. They were joined by
two new teams, Team Pfizer headed by John Benbow and Team
Bellisimo the brainchild of returning rider
Carolyn Bell. The energy and warmth of all the riders made for a
spirited tour. For some riders, this was the culmination of five
full days of riding over 370 miles. For others it was the first
time they participated in any long distance ride. For all it
marked their commitment to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and
funds for 13 AIDS organizations around the state which provide
housing, supportive services, and prevention education.
AIDS in Connecticut
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Since 1980, 14,487 people have been
diagnosed with AIDS. Over half have died.
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CT ranks 8th in the nation in AIDS
cases per capita.
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Proportionally, CT leads the nation in
AIDS cases among injecting drug users; second in cases among
women; and third in cases among Latinos/as.
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20,000 people in Connecticut are
estimated to be living with HIV.
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25% of newly diagnosed HIV cases are
under the age of 29.
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AIDS is the leading cause of death for
African-American men between the ages of 35 – 44 and
African-American women between the ages of 25 – 34.
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Since 1995, the number of people
living with AIDS in Connecticut has grown by over 6,500.
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