Ride for Life 2026: Back On It

The Ride For Life, an annual 90-mile jaunt around Cayuga Lake, is the Southern Tier AIDS program’s biggest fundraiser, with $130,000 pledged so far in 2026. In 2025, STAP reversed 218 drug overdoses, exchanged 2,612 dirty syringe needles, and counseled 708 of the neediest people in New York’s Southern Tier. And thanks to you, the Cats of Short Street — the team of Tania, me, and Henry Tepper — raised over $5,000. Here’s what it was like.

The ride starts at Stewart Park at 7am, just as the sunrise washes over the lake.

8am. There are only two big hills in the whole ride — the first one right at the start, and the second and worst one down to and back up from Salmon Creek in Lansing. This was my 20th time around (Hank’s 10th) and this landmark means the worst is over. Now the best part begins.

8: 30 am Early morning light, cool dry weather, and high clouds heading north on Route 34B.

King Ferry rest stop: You meet the nicest people on the road. At rest stop one I got to congratulate Rod Howe, former supervisor of the Town of Ithaca, who had just finished one hell of a performance. This was the first morning of Rod’s retirement from public service, although he was happily handing out cookies at 8:45 am!

Rest Stop #2, Union Springs, 10:30 am: The local celebrity at this rest stop was giving everybody hugs.

11am, Village of Cayuga: This grab shot from a moving bike (don’t try this, kids) shows the bane of this lake, a line of new McMansions strung along the shore with a faux stone entry sign boasting the single word “Gorwydd.” Super-classy.

This year Hank and I decided not to do the 102-mile route, which extends north of the lake through the Montezuma marsh. We turned left on Route 20 and chose the 90-mile route to meet our teammate Tania, who took the bus north from Ithaca to the lunch stop in Seneca Falls and started her 46-mile ride from there.

Frankly, the ride southward on Route 89 was a bit of a slog at times. There’s more traffic, fewer vistas, and more houses. But you do get several beautiful lake views.

We were sore and our electrolytes were all out of whack by the time we got to the last rest stop in Trumansburg. The volunteers on this ride are great, though. They work hard to keep your spirits up.

But the sweetest thing happened at the very end. We were completely spent and sore when welcomed by our wonderful neighbors Larry, Saoirse, John, Sue, Nancy, and Steve, with flower leis while Sam (black) and Nicky (calico), The Cats of Short Street, waited patiently for their treats. It was impossible to remain cranky, although I did my best to moan and complain and forget about the wonderful day we’d had.

We are so grateful for your support. See you again next year!

PS: STAP is still raising money, so if you’d like to share this with a friend, the donation link is here.