Thirty-one years of history lined up at an old livestock arena in San Francisco to commence the first pedal strokes of their 545-mile journey south to Los Angeles. The event — which kicked off on the first day of Pride Month this year — is among the oldest cycling fundraisers for HIV and AIDS resources in the country. It first began in 1994 as the California AIDS Ride, then transitioned in 2002 to its current form, the AIDS/LifeCycle Ride.Upward of 2,500 riders meet in Northern California each year to raise money and support for HIV and AIDS prevention and care. Since 1994, the ride has raised over $300 million for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and Los Angeles LGBT Center, its two beneficiaries.This year, riders and roadies raised over $17.2 million — the second-largest fundraising amount in event history. In 2022, nearly $17.8 million was raised after a two-year ride hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After exiting the arena, the 2,000 cyclists began to make their way along the California coastline toward Santa Cruz. Hearst data visualization journalist Susie Webb was among those cyclists.Riders came from all over the world, though most were from California. This year, there were just over 30 riders from outside of the U.S. and about 400 from outside of California. Each evening of the seven-day ride, those cyclists — and the over 650 roadies who make the event possible — set up their tents, wait in line at shower trucks, grab dinner from a buffet-style food line, and listen as the camp stage hosts nightly speakers and entertainment. Day 2 is the longest day on the ride. Cyclists journey about 110 miles to King City, leaving behind the coast in favor of agricultural farms and acres of wineries. As cyclists journey through California, they help support local businesses along the way. Each year, riders stop at Pezzini Farms to indulge in artichokes, artichoke cupcakes and pie. It became one of the ride’s many traditions. Halfway through their third day, riders visit a small rural school called Bradley.From the early years of the event, riders have helped raise funds to support the school during their lunch stop. This year, the last time riders will pass by Bradley, AIDS/LifeCycle raised over $118,000 for the school — over twice the amount raised last year. Day 4 brings riders halfway to Los Angeles, and halfway to the end of the final AIDS/LifeCycle ride.Organizers announced in September that this year would be the last, citing rising event costs and a drop in ridership after the COVID-19 pandemic. Within 72 hours of the announcement, 1,000 cyclists registered. Since 2002, AIDS/LifeCycle averaged a 33.9% cost of fundraising, said Emily Land, vice president of public affairs at the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. In 2023 and 2024, the cost of fundraising was over 50%, Land said, contributing to the decision to sunset the ride.Day 5 is “Red Dress Day.” As they snake through the hills while adorning red garments — and some even wearing stiletto heels — the bikers form the shape of the red AIDS ribbon.The first California AIDS Ride had fewer than 500 riders, and about 70% of those riders were HIV-positive, according to Doreen Gonzales, the only person who has ridden every year of the ride. Gonzales, who is 68 years old, has ridden nearly every single mile over the past 31 years. During two of those years, while nursing an injury, she rode with just one leg clipped into a mountain bike.“I ride for the people who had no names back then … for the people who died that no one cared about,” Gonzales said.Drastic progress has been made toward ending HIV in the U.S. since the first cases were reported in the 1980s, but there are still new infections, particularly among people of color and those in the U.S. South.The Trump administration has pulled millions in HIV-related grants and cut staffing positions essential to research and prevention, potentially stalling progress toward President Donald Trump’s 2019 pledge to end the HIV epidemic by 2030. On Day 6, after a 90-mile ride, participants hold a candlelight vigil on the beach in Ventura to remember those who have died from HIV and AIDS. A ring of candles forms around the “riderless bike” where it rests in the sand. The bike — which travels the full length of the ride — represents the friends, family and unknown souls who were lost in the AIDS epidemic.One more day.The last day of the AIDS/LifeCycle ride brings cyclists to the Santa Monica pier, where the finish line festival awaits. This year, though, cyclists conquered 20 extra miles and an added hill. Their usual route was impacted by the January Palisades fires, making the total mileage 563 despite the ride’s 545 branding.As each rider and roadie crossed the finish line, the 31-year-old AIDS/LifeCycle community said its last goodbyes.But there are still more miles to come.Both the Los Angeles LGBT Center and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation announced new three-day rides in their respective regions to come in 2026. The San Francisco AIDS Foundation is also testing a new running event and a single-day biking event to supplement funds lost due to the end of the ride.PHNjcmlwdCB0eXBlPSJ0ZXh0L2phdmFzY3JpcHQiPiFmdW5jdGlvbigpeyJ1c2Ugc3RyaWN0Ijt3aW5kb3cuYWRkRXZlbnRMaXN0ZW5lcigibWVzc2FnZSIsKGZ1bmN0aW9uKGUpe2lmKHZvaWQgMCE9PWUuZGF0YVsiZGF0YXdyYXBwZXItaGVpZ2h0Il0pe3ZhciB0PWRvY3VtZW50LnF1ZXJ5U2VsZWN0b3JBbGwoImlmcmFtZSIpO2Zvcih2YXIgYSBpbiBlLmRhdGFbImRhdGF3cmFwcGVyLWhlaWdodCJdKWZvcih2YXIgcj0wO3I8dC5sZW5ndGg7cisrKXtpZih0W3JdLmNvbnRlbnRXaW5kb3c9PT1lLnNvdXJjZSl0W3JdLnN0eWxlLmhlaWdodD1lLmRhdGFbImRhdGF3cmFwcGVyLWhlaWdodCJdW2FdKyJweCJ9fX0pKX0oKTs8L3NjcmlwdD4=
Thirty-one years of history lined up at an old livestock arena in San Francisco to commence the first pedal strokes of their 545-mile journey south to Los Angeles.
The event — which kicked off on the first day of Pride Month this year — is among the oldest cycling fundraisers for HIV and AIDS resources in the country. It first began in 1994 as the California AIDS Ride, then transitioned in 2002 to its current form, the AIDS/LifeCycle Ride.
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Upward of 2,500 riders meet in Northern California each year to raise money and support for HIV and AIDS prevention and care. Since 1994, the ride has raised over $300 million for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and Los Angeles LGBT Center, its two beneficiaries.
This year, riders and roadies raised over $17.2 million — the second-largest fundraising amount in event history. In 2022, nearly $17.8 million was raised after a two-year ride hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
After exiting the arena, the 2,000 cyclists began to make their way along the California coastline toward Santa Cruz. Hearst data visualization journalist Susie Webb was among those cyclists.
Riders came from all over the world, though most were from California. This year, there were just over 30 riders from outside of the U.S. and about 400 from outside of California.
Each evening of the seven-day ride, those cyclists — and the over 650 roadies who make the event possible — set up their tents, wait in line at shower trucks, grab dinner from a buffet-style food line, and listen as the camp stage hosts nightly speakers and entertainment.
Day 2 is the longest day on the ride. Cyclists journey about 110 miles to King City, leaving behind the coast in favor of agricultural farms and acres of wineries.
As cyclists journey through California, they help support local businesses along the way. Each year, riders stop at Pezzini Farms to indulge in artichokes, artichoke cupcakes and pie. It became one of the ride’s many traditions.
Halfway through their third day, riders visit a small rural school called Bradley.
From the early years of the event, riders have helped raise funds to support the school during their lunch stop. This year, the last time riders will pass by Bradley, AIDS/LifeCycle raised over $118,000 for the school — over twice the amount raised last year.
Day 4 brings riders halfway to Los Angeles, and halfway to the end of the final AIDS/LifeCycle ride.
Organizers announced in September that this year would be the last, citing rising event costs and a drop in ridership after the COVID-19 pandemic. Within 72 hours of the announcement, 1,000 cyclists registered.
Since 2002, AIDS/LifeCycle averaged a 33.9% cost of fundraising, said Emily Land, vice president of public affairs at the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. In 2023 and 2024, the cost of fundraising was over 50%, Land said, contributing to the decision to sunset the ride.
Day 5 is “Red Dress Day.” As they snake through the hills while adorning red garments — and some even wearing stiletto heels — the bikers form the shape of the red AIDS ribbon.
The first California AIDS Ride had fewer than 500 riders, and about 70% of those riders were HIV-positive, according to Doreen Gonzales, the only person who has ridden every year of the ride.
Gonzales, who is 68 years old, has ridden nearly every single mile over the past 31 years. During two of those years, while nursing an injury, she rode with just one leg clipped into a mountain bike.
“I ride for the people who had no names back then … for the people who died that no one cared about,” Gonzales said.
Drastic progress has been made toward ending HIV in the U.S. since the first cases were reported in the 1980s, but there are still new infections, particularly among people of color and those in the U.S. South.
The Trump administration has pulled millions in HIV-related grants and cut staffing positions essential to research and prevention, potentially stalling progress toward President Donald Trump’s 2019 pledge to end the HIV epidemic by 2030.
On Day 6, after a 90-mile ride, participants hold a candlelight vigil on the beach in Ventura to remember those who have died from HIV and AIDS. A ring of candles forms around the “riderless bike” where it rests in the sand. The bike — which travels the full length of the ride — represents the friends, family and unknown souls who were lost in the AIDS epidemic.
One more day.
The last day of the AIDS/LifeCycle ride brings cyclists to the Santa Monica pier, where the finish line festival awaits. This year, though, cyclists conquered 20 extra miles and an added hill. Their usual route was impacted by the January Palisades fires, making the total mileage 563 despite the ride’s 545 branding.
As each rider and roadie crossed the finish line, the 31-year-old AIDS/LifeCycle community said its last goodbyes.
But there are still more miles to come.
Both the Los Angeles LGBT Center and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation announced new three-day rides in their respective regions to come in 2026. The San Francisco AIDS Foundation is also testing a new running event and a single-day biking event to supplement funds lost due to the end of the ride.
