Welcome to the ACT Ride!

Thank you for visiting AIDS Network Cycles Together - The ACT Ride. We are Wisconsin's AIDS Ride, heralded by participants and the media as a shining, national example of grassroots fundraising and community in action. We hope you will get involved, and join hundreds of people in educating our communities, teaching tolerance, and raising funds for AIDS Network, the state-appointed HIV/AIDS service provider for southern Wisconsin.

At AIDS Network we believe that together we are living with HIV/AIDS, and our mission is to support everyone in the community. The ACT Ride believes in the power of our courage, commitment, and compassion to be the change we wish to see in the face of this epidemic.

The ACT Ride is about...

Going Beyond Your Limits

Change your life, change the world -- this is our motto. Riders will bike over 300 miles and raise at least $1,200. Crew Members will provide the backbone of the entire Ride, working hard to make it a reality. Participating in an ACT Ride is not easy, and it is not supposed to be. We know that HIV/AIDS demands we not be satisfied with "easy," that we challenge ourselves and each other to achieve what seems impossible. We hope to have people of any ability, any background, and any HIV status on this Ride. No matter your level of experince, you will do more than you ever imagined you could to make a difference.

Building Inclusive Community

A mother and her teenage son, running a crew -- and returning as riders the following year. Positive Pedalers, back at camp with other participants -- leading a dialogue about living with HIV. A rider on her ninth ACT Ride and a rider who just completed her first, on the stage at Closing Ceremony --- speaking about how they inspired each other. These are the scenes of our community.

During the ACT Ride you will see people at every turn, helping and encouraging each other -- people with whom you’ll work, train, laugh, and cry. Your fellow Riders and Crew will become your friends, your family, and your community -- on the Ride and for years to come. Together, we are going to create a community out of diversity, united behind one common purpose that impacts us all.

Inspiring Action

ACT Riders and Crew will be on TV, on the radio, on the Internet, and in many area newspapers. We will talk about HIV/AIDS with every donation we ask for, and with every mile we train. Together we will put a face on this disease and inspire those around us to take action in any way they can. Many people who join the ACT Ride have never done anything like this before. Biking over 300 miles, working hard from before sunrise until after sunset, and raising money may seem like intimidating tasks. Our goal is to do it together, and support each other as a community.

Supporting AIDS Network

To ensure as high a return as possible, the ACT Ride is almost completely volunteer-driven. Our volunteer Steering Committee is comprised of experienced ACT riders and crew who work year-round to plan the logistics of the Ride. AIDS Network is a non-profit agency that produces the Ride to raise funds for its ongoing operations.

We have designed this manual to ease your concerns, offer you advice, and help you get ready for the event. This manual provides the basics of riding, crewing, fundraising, training and safety. Please read the entire manual, as each section contains information about what to expect during the Ride.

Welcome to the ACT community!