Braking the Cycle

Though Dina Caffrey has kept fit by cycling on her Cannondale road bike for the past six years, she's never faced a challenge like the one that lies before her on September 24.

On that morning, Caffrey will bike from Boston to Manhattan — a three-day, 285-mile ride — along with 150 other cyclists to raise money for The Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgender Community Center, an organization that has provided services in the fight against HIV/AIDS since 1983.

"It just sounded like a great thing to do," Caffrey said. "I have my health and there are some people that aren't as lucky me."

The charity bike ride named, "Braking the Cycle," will raise money for the center, which is located at W. 13^th street in Manhattan. Donations collected will be used to create and distribute safe sex kits; send eight, at-risk youths to the center's summer camp to learn about HIV/AIDS prevention; and pay for a year of counseling to 20 people recently diagnosed with HIV.

She explained that every participant must raise at least $3,500, and every penny goes to the center. The group of cyclists will kick off their fundraising trek at 6:30 a.m. on Sept. 24, Caffrey said, and will meet at an assigned location to rest after the first and second day of the journey.

The first two days are grueling, as each will consist of bicycling 100 miles. The last day offers a small reprieve, as it's only 85 miles to the center, which they will reach on September 26 at 5 p.m.

"I'm pumped for this," Caffrey said. "I'm really looking forward to it."

Caffrey explained that she bikes all the time and though this is her longest ride to date, she doesn't expect any bumps in the road. "This is something I know that I can do," she said. "With something like this, I heard there are a lot of hills, which could be a little bit of a challenge for me."

Caffrey noted that her cousin participated in the fundraising ride for the past few years, and nudged her to join. "I get harangued by him every year," Caffrey joked. "Until finally I got tired of it and said, 'OK, I'm in.'"

The center's Mental Health and Social Services Department, its youth program and other prevention services serves more than 3,000 LGBT New Yorkers annually. More than 1,200 LGBT adults are assisted per year on-site, with 33 percent of those assisted living with HIV/AIDS. In addition, 1,000 teens a year come to the center for services and training in HIV prevention.

Donations can be made @www.brakingthecycle.org, Dina Caffrey rider #119.