Rita Forces Cancellation of 2005 Lone Star Ride

Hurricane Rita took a heavy toll on the local community before it ever hit the state’s shoreline much less Dallas-Fort Worth. Concerns about heavy rains, flooding, high winds, overburdened facilities and traffic problems caused coordinators of the Lone Star Ride Fighting AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) to cancel the fifth annual event that was planned recently.

Janie Bush, staff coordinator of the 175-mile ride, said city officials essentially made the decision for her when they revoked all special event permits for the weekend because of the hurricane and the evacuees entering the city. Bush said the facilities the 100-plus riders planned to use for pit stops and camping out that Saturday night will be used to take care of the thousands of people fleeing the hurricane.

Bush said even though the cancellation was unavoidable, the coordinators and riders are devastated by the turn of events. “It’s a heavy, heavy blow for us,” said Bush who spends all year planning the ride. She said coordinators are exploring their options.

“There are so many things that have to be considered,” Bush said. David Taffet, one of the 100-plus riders planning to participate in the event said he started training for the event in May. “This is devastating,” said Taffet, who is host of the Lambda Radio Show and calendar editor for The Dallas Voice. The cancellation also applied to the planned display of the AIDS Memorial Quilt on Sunday afternoon. Bush said this year’s event had promised to provide a whole new experience for everyone involved.

Dinosaur Valley officials agreed to refund the money ride officials paid for camping privileges, she said. Bush said the ride would be on again next year. The Lone Star Ride has raised about $956,000 during the past four years. More than 30 businesses and other organizations were sponsoring this year’s ride.