What is the difference between "Roadie" and "Volunteer"?

• A Roadie must register for AIDS/LifeCycle just like the Cyclists and spend the whole week working on the event.
• A Volunteer helps out all year long in the office, on special events, doing outreach, or even helping with Opening and Closing Ceremonies.  Volunteers do not need to register for the event but do need to RSVP to specific events or fill out this brief form below for other volunteer opportunities not listed.

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

Pre- UPLOAD for AIDS/LifeCycle, Wednesday May 30th, 2012, Cow Palace, San Francisco
Volunteers will help 'id' the vehicles that will accompany the ride down to LA. 12-5pm (4-6 volunteers) To RSVP for this event please use this link

UPLOAD for AIDS/LifeCycle, Thursday, May 31st, 2012, Cow Palace, San Francisco
We will be sorting and organizing the supplies for the event and then loading up the vehicles. Please be aware that there will be lifting of 20-50 pounds. There will be snacks, beverages and lunch for the early shift. 10-2pm and/or 1-5pm (15 volunteers each shift) To RSVP for this event please use this link

AIDS/LifeCycle Orientation Set Up Day, Friday June 1st, 2012, Cow Palace, San Francisco
We will prep the Cow Palace for Orientation Day when the AIDS/LifeCycle riders from far and wide will all come together for the first time! We will set up Bike Parking, Check-In, Information/Hospitality, Medical, Safety Video Theater, Tent Assignment, Traffic Control, Volunteer Check-In, Pledge Office and Merchandise areas. 10-3:00pm (20 volunteers) and/or 2:30-7:30 pm (20 volunteers) To RSVP for this event please use this link

Orientation Day, Saturday June 2nd, 2012, Cow Palace, San Francisco
AIDS/LifeCycle’s Orientation Day is where all of the participants gather for the first time en masse to do the last preparations for their 7-day ride. They will Check-In, turn in any additional monies/their medical forms, they will receive the last of their safety information, they will get their tent assignments, the rider's bikes will be parked for the ride out the next day and the roadies will gain their last training. Volunteers will make sure that all of this goes off without a hitch and some will even prep the areas for Opening Ceremonies! 7:30 -12:30pm, 8 am - 1:30 pm, 12:30 - 6pm and/or 4-8 pm. To RSVP for this event please use this link

Opening Ceremonies, Sunday June 3rd, 2012, Cow Palace, San Francisco
This grand send-off of the riders and Roadies and represent the first day of AIDS/LifeCycle's 7-day ride down to Los Angeles. The riders are lightly fed, warmed up, stretched out and then the ceremonies begin with speakers representing the beneficiaries and the sponsors of the ride. The end of the ceremonies is the sending out of the riders on their grand 545 mile journey to end the AIDS pandemic! Duties will include arena crowd direction, helping participants prep their bikes (non-technical) at Bike Parking, helping participants with their arrival/drop-off and parking, checking-in volunteers, breakfast prep/service, sending all of the participants off onto the road. 4-8:30, 4:30-9:00, 6-10 am (an early one but REALLY fun and extremely inspiring! 100/100/50 volunteers in these respective shifts) To RSVP for this event please use this link

AIDS/LifeCycle Bike Retrieval, Monday and Tuesday June 11th-12th, 2012, Cow Palace, San Francisco
AIDS/LifeCycle is the 560+ mile bicycle ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles in which the cyclists and Roadies (volunteers on the ride) fundraise for the HIV services of San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center. This ride has become the biggest annual AIDS Fundraiser in the world. The cyclists are truly heroes. Bike Retrieval is where the cyclists come to pick up their bikes which have been shipped back from Los Angeles. You will not only return trusted steeds to their owners but hear stories of their battles! It's a great time. We will be moving the bikes around so volunteers should be able to lift 20 pounds but mostly we are just rolling them.  Shifts for Monday June 11th: 12PM -- 5PM (6), 4PM -- 8PM (6); Shifts for Tuesday June 12th: 12PM -- 5PM (4), 4PM -- 8PM (4); To RSVP for this event please use this link

Other Volunteer Opportunities

AIDS/LifeCycle has many opportunities for volunteers all year long. 

• We regularly need volunteers for special projects in our offices in Los Angeles and in San Francisco. 
• Volunteers staff the many special events that we produce to help recruit and prepare Cyclists and Roadies for the big event in June.
• Veteran Cyclists are invited to become Training Ride Leaders to help thousands of Cyclists prepare to complete AIDS/LifeCycle safely and successfully.
• The are many outreach opportunities for volunteers to help us spread the word about AIDS/LifeCycle at street fairs, LGBT events and cycling events throughout the year.
• Members of the volunteer Speakers Bureau help Cyclists and Roadies reach and exceed their fundraising goals by helping with "the ask" at their fundraising parties and events.