Travel Planner Checklist

Riders & Roadies – Let’s Get Ready to Roll

Before you get to the Cow Palace for Orientation Day (O-Day) on June 3, 2023, follow the checklist below that contains all the resources you’ll need to plan your travels prior to the start of the event.

Also, please take a moment to read our 2023 COVID-19 policy.

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On-Event Packing Lists

Not sure what to pack for a 7-day journey? Refer to these Cyclist and Roadie packing lists for mandatory and optional items to help you prepare for life on the Ride.

Bike Shipping Pre and Post Event

AIDS/LifeCycle has partnered with various companies to help package and ship your bike to San Francisco prior to the event, and back home from Los Angeles after you cross the finish line. Options range from shipping fully assembled bikes to disassembled bikes you can box yourself. Click here to find options that work best for you.

NOTE: If you ship your bike independently with any shipping service other than through our partners DO NOT SHIP DIRECTLY TO THE COW PALACE. Only event partners listed are authorized to consolidate bike shipments for delivery to the Cow Palace.

Bike Rentals

Looking to participate in AIDS/LifeCycle but don’t own a bike, or traveling from out of state or another country and looking for a convenient bike option? You can rent a top-quality Cannondale or Specialized bike from Unlimited Biking! Unlimited Biking’s rental service provides the convenience of having the bike delivered to the starting point on Orientation Day and picked up from the AIDS/LifeCycle Finish Line Festival.

Book directly HERE!

Hotel Arrangements

AIDS/LifeCycle’s partner hotels offer rooms to our Participants at a preferred rate. Click here for both pre and post-event hotel options.

Airfare Pre and Post Event

AIDS/LifeCycle is proud to partner with United Airlines to offer discounted airfares for participants flying inbound to San Francisco Bay Area Airports (SFO and SJC); and outbound from Los Angeles / SoCal area airports (LAX, BUR, ONT, and SNA) between May 31st through June 12th!

To take advantage of this offer, Participants can CLICK HERE to be taken to the booking page on the United Airlines website and use this code: ZNGZ970567. Note the restrictions listed above as to arrival and departure dates and airports.

Upon arrival at the airport, participants should go through self-service check-in, get bag tags, and check luggage (and bike box, if applicable) through the normal airport processes

United is not liable for damages to bicycles that have been improperly packaged or boxed

Orientation Day (O-Day) occurs on June 3, 2023, the day before Ride-Out at Cow Palace (2600 Geneva Ave, in Daly City) and will serve as your primer for what to expect during AIDS/LifeCycle. As the event can last a full day, plan to arrive prior to Orientation Day on 6/3/2023. Note that Orientation Day is mandatory for all Participants, and the full event schedule will be released later in the season.

**COVID advisory for travelers – It is possible that a participant traveling to San Francisco for AIDS/LifeCycle contracts COVID during their travel as social distancing is challenging and ventilation may be poor. In addition to being fully vaccinated and wearing a mask over your nose and mouth, consider additional ways you can mitigate transmission in your travel arrangements, such as: carrying hand sanitizer and alcohol wipes, washing hands frequently, and maintaining social distancing where possible when traveling.

Traveling internationally? Click here for more details.

Transportation to Cow Palace

Shuttle services will be provided to the Cow Palace on Orientation Day and for the Opening Ceremony (Day 1) which is June 4, 2023. Click here for more details on pick-up locations and times.