Ride organizers cite rising costs, declining participation in decision to end iconic ride after 30 years
By Archangel Apolonio, Staff Reporter
When senior Juan Villalobos found out that 2025 would mark the final year of the AIDS/LifeCycle, he knew he couldn’t miss it.
“I’ve always wanted to do it, but there was always a conflict with scheduling,” Villalobos told The Bulletin. “When I was notified this was gonna be the last one, I had to jump on it, kick it off the bucket list.”
Villalobos, a double major in human resources and history, is preparing to take part in the historic event—a seven-day, 545-mile journey from San Francisco to Los Angeles that raises funds for HIV and AIDS-related services.
Since its founding 30 years ago, AIDS/LifeCycle has brought together thousands of cyclists, volunteers, and advocates to support those impacted by the disease.
To participate, each cyclist must raise a minimum of $3,500 by this June (the ride takes place from June 1-7). Villalobos is riding with Team FUBAR, a recreational group with returning participants from previous AIDS/LifeCycle rides.
“Some of them are very advanced riders,” Villalobos said. Like many teams, FUBAR is working collectively and individually to meet their fundraising goals.
The ride is a joint effort by the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the Los Angeles LGBT Center, with funds supporting medical care, prevention programs, and education efforts aimed at combating the global HIV and AIDS epidemic.
Despite advancements in HIV treatment and prevention, HIV and AIDS remain a critical public health issue. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 40 million people worldwide were living with HIV at the end of 2023, with 1.3 million new infections and 630,000 HIV-related deaths occurring that year.
In California, the Health Department’s most recent HIV Surveillance Report showed that the number of people living with diagnosed HIV increased from approximately 136,100 in 2018 to over 142,700 in 2022. The annual number of deaths during that time also increased, from 1,824 to 2,169.
Event organizers announced the end of the fundraiser this past September. In a statement posted on the AIDS/LifeCycle website, they said the ride was no longer sustainable.
“This decision was not arrived at easily or hastily,” the statement read. “It has become clear that it is no longer financially sustainable for us to produce the Ride due to skyrocketing production costs, which have been exacerbated by year-after-year declines in ridership and fundraising.”
Organizers said they plan to “sunset AIDS/LifeCycle in style,” and will engage the community to help celebrate the event’s 30-year legacy. They also noted that there will be opportunities for supporters to shape future efforts in service to the ride’s mission.
Villalobos said the decision to ride is deeply personal. He has friends who are living with HIV, including one who he said has lived with the disease for several years.
“I have one friend in particular that was part of the early stages of the HIV epidemic,” he said. “He found out he was HIV-positive over the phone when things were very new.”
For Villalobos, participating in the final ride is both a physical challenge and an emotional commitment. He hopes his efforts not only help raise money but also encourage greater awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS.
Villalobos is currently balancing a full course load with training and outreach efforts to meet the fundraising requirement. While the training has been manageable, he explained the real challenge is asking for donations.
“You can either put it up yourself or ask everybody you know,” Villalobos said. “That’s the hard part.”
Still, Villalobos is determined to complete the journey and contribute to a cause that has touched so many lives. He said: “I want to be a part of a historical moment.”