When In Doubt, Wear Red – Bill Blass
The colour red evokes many feelings – danger and anger on one side, with passion and energy on the other. Either way, red is an emotionally intense colour and a shameless attention grabber.
Perhaps it is no surprise then that red was chosen as the colour for the ribbon campaign for HIV/AIDS awareness.
The Toronto to Montreal Bike Rally is in its 18th year to raise awareness and support for the work of the People With AIDS Foundation. Day 3 of this journey is designated as Dress In Red Day which is embraced as a fun day to grab maximum attention as the crimson riders form a ‘long red ribbon’ cycling through the Southern Ontario countryside.
I had so much fun last year on Red Dress/Dress Red Day that I didn’t want to miss it this year. I was on the road with my friend Helen at 7 am this morning for the 230 km (143 miles) trip to meet the riders at their first break.
Bike Rally is a significant fund raiser for the PWA Foundation – the largest direct support agency of its kind in Canada. Over a million dollars in donations will be raised by the end of the week when the riders and crew finally reach Montreal.
From the PWA website:
The challenges facing people living with HIV are numerous and complex: episodes of illness, numerous life transitions, discrimination, financial difficulties, social isolation, side effects from medications and long term effects from the virus – to name but a few. PWA provides a safe place to express those concerns and a place where practical information and support services are available.
What’s the next best thing to being on Bike Rally? Being a supporter!
[…] Check out Joanne’s AIDS fundraiser Red Dress Bike Ride HERE […]
LikeLike
This was a lot of fun, J
It connected to my red dress post so well – so I appreciate the link –
I can imagine the earial view does look like a crimson ribbon- so cool
also – enjoyed a few comments here too –
two other thoughts as I leave:
1) bikers have the best calves
and
2) so glad AIDS is not the death sentence it used to be. My siter-n-law lost her brother, Eric, to AIDS in early 90s. He was a nice and well – just glad they have made a lot of progress –
LikeLiked by 1 person
The 80s and 90s were a frightening time with a disease running rampant and a prevailing attitude of indifference. It may not be an automatic death sentence anymore, but HIV/AIDS is still a very tough journey for anyone affected and the stigma attached still prevails 😢
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well ugh – to the stigma and to the difficult road we still have with it- I lost a friend in 1994 – Mark –
And quick story –
Mark was at home his last month and my friend took me to visit – she prepped me the whole way – “he’s bald, skinny, thin face, might be groggy” – and I was all set
So we knock on door – the mom comes and on the couch – I see the bald head – thin legs under the shorts and green t-shirt – then the head looks up from the pillo and stares at me.
“May I give you a hug?” I asked
“Sure” came the reply
We embraced as while doing so – I see in the mirror a huge hospital bed – and turn around to see mark on IVs -under a sheet and —
I hugged his brother! His brother had shaved his head to honor M and well – we were all
Laughing –
Anyhow – heart goes out to anyone with it
LikeLike
LOL! That’s a great story! 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
I asked the brother later why he let me hug him – he shrugged his shoulders – lol – they were only two years apart and I really thought it was Mark
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t turn down a random hug 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
hahahah – me too – and it reminds of a video – I will be back later to share it
LikeLiked by 1 person
this video was the free hugs campaign in denever- and we lived in VA at the time – but have friends in this video (so fun)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I support Red!! Yay, Joanne for last year’s riding and hip hop hooray for being supportive and showing you care this year. 😀
LikeLike
Thanks 🙂
The team made it safely to Montreal yesterday and the celebrations have begun 🙂
LikeLike
I love that you can just see Jordan in his tutu in the background of one of the photos! And I’m loving following along via Trevor’s FB. Great work gents!!
LikeLike
haha! I noticed Jordan in the background of one of the photos too 🙂
LikeLike
[…] When In Doubt, Wear Red […]
LikeLike
Oh Joanne so glad you could join for this special day! Hoping the ride is going well for all of them. I’m sure they miss having you as their support and were thrilled to see you!
LikeLike
I did get a very warm reception from both the riders and crew who knew me or recognized me from last year.
I’m getting updates at the end of the day and it sounds like they are having a lot of fun!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am imaging the scene Joanne and grinning at the vision of it. 🙂 xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Sarah's Attic Of Treasures and commented:
I love the color RED. These photos give new meaning to it.
LikeLike
Thank you 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you, thank you, thank you for driving all that way to take photos of Red Day. I’ve been looking forward to that. I reckon they’ve outdone last year’s effort. (BTW, love the boys’ cycling shirts!)
LikeLike
As a huge Bugs Bunny fan, I too loved their cycling shirts. Each of them had a cartoon name on the back of their shirts … that’s why I took a photo of their backs.
I’m soooo glad I didn’t miss it. It would have been very easy to say it was too early in the morning and too far to drive.
LikeLiked by 1 person
…and were you wearing your red dress too? Must say some of these guys are a little scary, even in their best frocks 😉
LikeLike
They are all so friendly 🙂
… unfortunately I’m not on Bike Rally this year so no red dress for me
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw, I thought you might have dressed for the part. I’m sure they appreciated you being there and they are all pussy cats at heart 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Some great costumes! Across the border here in the US red is the color of the Republican party but I like to wear it anyway.
LikeLike
Interesting. Politically speaking, red is the colour of our Liberal party … probably as opposite to your Republicans as one can get 🙂
LikeLike
Who knew athletes could be so creative with ‘red dress’ as they ride their bikes for such a great cause. I am old enough to remember when a diagnosis of HIV/Aids meant sure death. Now, thankfully, there are medical treatment plans that can last a lifetime. Here’s hoping this year’s event raised a good amount of money to further the cause.
LikeLike
Unfortunately I’m old enough to remember that too. Pharmaceuticals have certainly come a long way in the past 35 years, but unfortunately for those with HIV, life is still pretty challenging.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fantastic! Look at them in all their glory! I can imagine it’s a fun event for such a great cause. It’s amazing how far modern medicine has come with treatment, just amazing!
LikeLike
It is a great event and everyone who participates – whether a rider or crew – are all so friendly and it really is a lot of fun.
Until I learned about Bike Rally, I didn’t appreciate how challenging life is for people with HIV – even with the drugs available that keep them alive. It’s a great cause!
LikeLike
I love this! What fun and creativity and all for a wonderful cause.
LikeLike
I agree Corina! Hopefully next year I’ll be able to join them again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is almost disturbing how good some of these guys look in their finery! 🙂 Am so glad to know you made it to the event this year….I knew a little collarbone injury wouldn’t hold you down for too long…..and naps are a good thing, long trip or not….I highly recommend naps everyday! 🙂
LikeLike
Naps are wonderful. Few things feel better 😉
I do envy these guys their great legs!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is quite a treat to see. I love how each shows his/her own personality in the red dresses. It is a worthy cause as well. I imagine the stigma of having the disease is as traumatizing for many as the disease itself. Awareness is important.
LikeLike
You are so right. The stigma is still very much a problem and creating awareness is still very important.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What amazing fun generous kind people. I love the enthusiasm and sense of humor. Cracked me up, Joanne. I’m glad you made it out there – the photos are priceless. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
The camaraderie on Bike Rally is contagious. It brings together a wonderful bunch of people all of whom are supportive and enthusiastic. It’s a tough week, but in my opinion, worth the effort!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad you made it, I know that this is an event dear to your heart. It’s always fun to see what everyone chooses to wear to the event. I’m extremely jealous that I would look hideous in every one of those outfits…they’re putting me to shame. 😉 I hope they raise a lot of funds.
LikeLike
Ha! I know the feeling! I wish I looked that good!
LikeLiked by 1 person
How awesome and fun! Love the pictures, love the cause.
LikeLike
Thank you. I’m grateful to my son and his friends who embraced this cause .
LikeLike
Holy funny Batman!! These guys sure go all out! Some are even sporting nylons. That is a feat in itself 😉 What a great cause! Thanks for sharing… Now I’ve got to clean my phone off from blowing coffee on it from laughter!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many of them get quite competitive in their costumes for Dress In Red Day and keep them a closely guarded secret until the day.
I got a big chuckle out of the one guy in the white wig and heart-shaped glasses who proceeded to tell me how difficult it is to put on nylons – I imagine all that much harder from the inside of a tent. Yup! I’m familiar 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
In honor of this day, and to show my support, I will wear my best red dress today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
… and I imagine you look most fetching in it 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awesome I love it. It’s great to see them really having fun with it while at the same time working for a great cause 😀
LikeLike
I agree! There is no question that they are having fun 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fantastic cause — and absolutely fabulous frocks and photos.
LikeLike
I can’t help but smile when I look at these photos. Without exception, they are always happy to pose for the camera 🙂
LikeLike
What a great event and fab pics! Think I’m going to wear red today…
LikeLike
A splash of red is always a good choice! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a great cause! And what good sports those men are, so fun to see their costumes 😀
LikeLike
I agree and I think everyone looks forward to it with a great deal of enthusiasm 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
They all look fabulous!!! I love the belly dancer red the most, I think, though the crisscross red tights with red dress are a close second. Way to show the love, Toronto peeps!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, the guys in the nylons were my favourites! Now that’s dedication to a costume … and it couldn’t have been overly comfortable riding a bike 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad you got to catch up for a while with your friends on their ride – glamorous and gaudy I love all these outfits!
LikeLike
When it’s time to be serious, be serious … but when it’s time to have fun, let it rip!! I love that attitude 🙂
LikeLike
LOL. What a fun post, Joanne, and it’s for a good cause! I see they all have two water bottles. I guess it must be necessary.
LikeLike
It’s pretty hot here Helen and yes, 2 water bottles on the bike are recommended. There are support vehicles out there and rest stops with a food crew to keep the riders hydrated and fueled.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Haha! What a fun ride, and good cause. I hope the Belly dancer had a lot of sunblock! It was fun looking at the outfits. I laughed out loud once or twice. They’ve got spirit, and guts! 🙂
LikeLike
They definitely have spirit 🙂 I thought the same thing about sunblock … it was a scorcher of a day! Especially the guys wearing stockings and gloves that had open patches in the design … I’m thinking some very odd tan lines 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope they put sunblock on before donning the costume then!
What great guys wearing stockings, and gloves on a super hot day!
LikeLike
I can’t imagine doing a ride like this without sunblock! They would all be suffering lobsters by the end of the day without it … not to mention the odd tan lines afterwards 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an awesome day for a good cause! I love all of the red garb and hairy mens’ legs.
LikeLike
haha! Yeah, the hair – facial and otherwise – really adds to overall look 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
These photos are awesome Joanne 😊 The third image is more for my age group (I’m too old for a two piece 😜
LikeLiked by 1 person
All these guys were so wonderful and generous in posing for me … and I think you’re just being modest 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh but you haven’t seen my legs Joanne, LOL – https://groupexpo.wordpress.com/2016/07/22/grand-central-station-photographers/
LikeLiked by 2 people
Awesome! I remember this one from last year. How fun!
LikeLike
I am so glad I made the trip to see the riders as they started to roll into their morning break.
It was fun and rather buoys the spirits 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad you got to be at the Dress in Red Day!! I remember your post from last year. I love the photos! This looks like such a fun group to ride with. Of course I can’t begin to imagine riding in some of those outfits…well really, I can’t imagine “me” wearing any of those outfits!! 🙂
LikeLike
HAHAHAHA!!! You mean not even the little Belly Dancer number? 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL! You are surprised aren’t you?!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nope! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a fun ride and such a good cause. I’m glad you could be there, Joanne. I have some red shirts, but I’m not sure I could pull off that look 🙂
LikeLike
It’s all about the red … in whatever way you choose to rock it 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh Joanne, I am so glad you were able to make the drive to participate in this fun day! Hope the boys are having a fantastic ride & raising a ton of funds this year!
LikeLike
I am so glad I made this trip this morning (although admittedly, I needed a nap this afternoon).
Everyone’s spirits were very high – Dress In Red Day does have that impact 😀
LikeLike
I wouldn’t have missed that either! Such a serious cause but a fun and fanciful way to attract attention to it. Some of the guys look way better in the red outfits than I would have – I especially like the belly dancer get-up… very sexy!
LikeLike
This particular day of the Bike Rally is just so much fun. I really didn’t want to miss it and I’m glad I made the trip.
… and I agree, the Belly Dancer ROCKED his costume!!
LikeLiked by 1 person