Skip to main content.

Why We Ride

Why We Ride

We Ride to End AIDS

Each year, more than 2,800 people from across the nation and world come together. Over the course of a week, they make an epic 545 mile journey down the coast of California, from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Since 1994, AIDS/LifeCycle and its predecessor the California AIDS Ride have raised more than $286 million, making the event the largest fundraiser for HIV and AIDS in the world.

Our Mission

By being a part of AIDS/LifeCycle, you will fund the work of San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the Los Angeles LGBT Center and help us work towards the following:

Raise awareness to end the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS.

Provide a positive, life-affirming experience for people affected by HIV/AIDS.

Grow our community of activists, volunteers, and ambassadors fighting to end AIDS.

Honor those who have passed from AIDS-related causes.

Produced By & Benefitting

San Francisco AIDS Foundation

San Francisco AIDS Foundation promotes health, wellness, and social justice for communities most impacted by HIV through sexual health and substance use services, advocacy, and community partnerships. The Foundation envisions a future where health justice is achieved for all people living with or at risk for HIV, ultimately striving for a day when race is not a barrier to health and wellness, substance use is not stigmatized, HIV status does not determine quality of life, and HIV transmission is eliminated.

Learn More About SFAF

The Los Angeles LGBT Center

Since 1969 the Los Angeles LGBT Center has cared for, championed, and celebrated LGBT individuals and families in Los Angeles and beyond. Today the Center’s nearly 800 employees provide services for more LGBT people than any other organization in the world, offering programs, services, and global advocacy that span four broad categories: Health, Social Services and Housing, Culture and Education, Leadership and Advocacy. We are an unstoppable force in the fight against bigotry and the struggle to build a better world; a world in which LGBT people thrive as healthy, equal, and complete members of society.

Learn More About The LA LGBT Center

AIDS/Life Cycle Participant Stories

  • Hoa Su

    After living with HIV covertly for ten years, Hoa Su found the courage during the 2013 ride to come out publicly about his status.Now Cycling with his two nieces, he says “it’s great to have them ride in support of me.”His nieces said that “We just want to show him that we love him, we care about him, and this is our show of support.” “People from all of the world are here to support each other, and I want everyone to experience that.”

  • Carol Hedges

    Carol is a 20 year Cyclist and PE teacher of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade students, leads by example to inspire the next generation to do great things.“It’s important for my students to know to give back, to do something to make a difference, so I talk to them about doing the Ride – about training and endurance, but I talk to them mainly about doing something to change the world. And they go back to class and they write these letters that we pass out on Day 3.”

  • Team Boo Boo

    This team embodies the spirit of teams on the Ride. “We ride to raise awareness to end AIDS. We ride together just about every Sunday, we fundraise together as well It’s a really important cause to all of us.” They hope to raise awareness among the younger generation who may not feel that HIV/AIDS is relevant anymore. “It’s not in the forefront of a lot of people’s lives anymore.” “It’s one of the most beautiful weeks I’ve ever experienced. It’s great to call this place home.”