The event first began as the California AIDS Ride in 1994, during the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the state. In 2002, it was rebranded as the AIDS/LifeCycle, with the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the Los Angeles LGBT Center as its primary benefactors.
According to TerMeer, the decision to end AIDS/LifeCycle was extremely difficult because of what the experience means to so many of its participants. He noted that being part of the ride allowed him to build a support network of 'belonging, pride, acceptance and love.'
Winslow participated in the AIDS/LifeCycle ride 17 times alongside his husband, who died last year. During one of those rides, they met a lesbian couple whom they'd go on to befriend.
It's something that's created a community to help those of us affected by the AIDS epidemic - who've lost so many people - find a way to fight back, a way to create visibility in the state of California for people with HIV.
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