The AIDS Ride concept was conceived nearly 20 years ago as a way to build community, challenge people, and raise needed money for this cause.
There have been numerous rides since then in cities all across the United States. The Midwest Rides began with the Heartland AIDS Ride, a 500-mile ride from Minneapolis, through Wisconsin, to Chicago. Over 1,200 riders raised money and participated in this event. In 2002, volunteers and staff at AIDS Network decided to produce a ride that would keep the donations and route more local in order to maximize the return of funds to AIDS Network's service area. It was named AIDS Network Cycles Together (ACT).
The ACT Rides have met their goals. Over the course of nine ACT Rides, over 1,000 riders and 650 crew have traveled through small towns and cities all over southwestern Wisconsin, spread the word that AIDS continues to affect our state, and raised $2.5 million. An incredible average of 85% of funds have gone directly to AIDS Network and the services that they provide.
|
Ride |
Year |
Riders |
Crew |
Funds |
Return |
|
ACT 9 |
2011 |
87 |
90 |
$222,000 |
82% |
|
ACT 8 |
2010 |
109 |
91 |
$254,169 |
83.6% |
|
ACT 7 |
2009 |
134 |
90 |
$305,440 |
90.1% |
|
ACT 6 |
2008 |
138 |
86 |
$295,525 |
89.4% |
|
ACT 5 |
2007 |
122 |
92 |
$296,000 |
89.3% |
|
ACT 4 |
2006 |
133 |
102 |
$252,196 |
89.6% |
|
ACT III |
2005 |
158 |
92 |
$308,283 |
89.6% |
|
ACT II |
2004 |
134 |
81 |
$275,366 |
87.5% |
|
ACT I |
2003 |
130 |
59 |
$295,404 |
79.0% |
|
Average |
|
128 |
86 |
$285,297 |
87.3% |
Other Information
The ACT Ride continues to be the largest cycling event for AIDS in Wisconsin and is the third largest cycling event for HIV/AIDS in the United States (behind California's AIDS LifeCycle and Minnesota's Red Ribbon Ride). The ACT Ride benefits AIDS Network.
