AIDS/LifeCycle participants cross 20 million mile mark today – equal to going around the world 800 times!

They ride 545 miles in 7 days – from San Francisco to Los Angeles.

Today, the 2,200 cyclists participating in this year’s AIDS/LifeCycle will cross the 20 million mile mark while en route from King City to Paso Robles. They are on a mission to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and raise money for San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the HIV/AIDS-related services of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center.

“I’m absolutely astounded and enormously grateful for the 20-year fundraising record set by this year’s riders and roadies,” said L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center CEO Lorri L. Jean, “especially since the need for these funds has never been greater. Today we have the tools to stop the spread of the disease and to help people with HIV live longer, healthier lives, but the epidemic is far from over. The AIDS/LifeCycle community, which includes riders and roadies of all ages and from 18 different countries, is essential to funding the Center’s life-saving services for people who might not otherwise be able to afford them.”

Collectively, since the event was founded as California AIDS Ride in 1993, cyclists will have ridden 20 million miles to help end AIDS and provide care for those living with the virus. That’s equivalent to traveling back and forth to the moon more than 40 times, or around the world 800 times.

AIDS/LifeCycle, the world’s largest annual HIV/AIDS fundraiser, raised a record-breaking more than $14.2 million this year.

It’s important to note that more than 1.1 million Americans are living with HIV/AIDS. California has more cumulative AIDS cases than any state other than New York. Gay and bisexual men and communities of color are disproportionately affected.

Below is a video of their first day on the road. Will be posting videos and photos all week.