More than 300 participants completed the 285-mile journey from Los Angeles to San Diego to support healthcare, housing, and advocacy programs.

More than $830,000 was raised to support essential community services during the successful debut of Center Ride Out, a three-day cycling event that concluded its inaugural run from Los Angeles to San Diego this week.

The event, established as a legacy to AIDS/LifeCycle, saw upward of 300 cyclists and volunteers traverse 285 miles across Southern California from April 24–26. Proceeds from the $830,511 total will fund the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s work in healthcare, housing, social services, advocacy, and education. Ten percent of net proceeds will benefit the San Diego LGBT Community Center and the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert.

“Center Ride Out carries forward the legacy of AIDS/LifeCycle, rooted in a time when our community came together to care for one another,” said Joe Hollendoner, CEO of the Los Angeles LGBT Center. “Today, our riders are building a legacy that will shape the future of generations to come. Every mile ridden and every dollar raised supports life-saving services for LGBTQ+ people.” 

Cyclists began the journey with a sunrise departure from Elysian Park, traveling 110 miles on the first day to a basecamp near Lake Skinner in the Temecula area. The second day featured a “choose your own adventure” format where participants could either rest or join loop rides through Riverside County. The camp experience included wellness and medical services along with live entertainment headlined by RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Willow Pill.

The trek concluded on the third day with an 87-mile ride through backcountry and coastal roads, ending at a festival in San Diego’s Hillcrest neighborhood.

The Los Angeles LGBT Center noted that these funds are critical as funding for LGBTQ+ programs continues to face ongoing challenges. Gilead Sciences served as the event’s presenting sponsor, continuing a partnership aimed at expanding access to HIV prevention and treatment.

Registration is already open for the 2027 ride, which is scheduled to return April 23–25. You can register and learn more here.