Hes biking Hundreds of Miles… Why Tho?
The Final Ride: 545 Miles to End HIV and AIDS
By the time you're reading this, I'm probably somewhere between San Francisco and Santa Cruz, pedaling through the morning fog with 2,500 other cyclists who decided that a full week on a bike sounded like a good use of their vacation time.
Yeah, you read that right. As you're checking your phone with your first cup of coffee, I'm about 50 miles into what's called AIDS/LifeCycle—a seven-day bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles that's raised over $300 million for HIV and AIDS services since 1994.
And here's the thing that makes this ride extra special: 2025 is the final year. Ever.
The Newsletter Author Revealed (Surprise!)
Plot twist time—I've been writing these newsletters all along. The voice you've been reading, the science-backed snark, the dad jokes about recovery tech? That's been me, Tod. I moved to St. Johns 3 years ago and instantly fell in love with the gym. I've worked on the website, helped with marketing, and I get to learn interesting things about health and fitness and share it with y'all.
Over the next week, I'll be experiencing the glamorous reality of multi-day cycling: waking up at 4AM in a tent (that I hopefully remembered how to set up correctly), stumbling around in the dark trying to locate clean socks, and choking down instant oats while my body reminds me that yesterday's 85 miles actually happened.
Then it's time to pack up the tent before the route opens around 6AM, and ride until you reach the next campsite. Rinse, repeat, for seven days straight. There are plenty of rest and lunch stops along the way, and "Roadies" who are the happiest folks in the world to see us riding to end AIDS, one pedal stroke at a time.
The Numbers Are Staggering (And Not Just the Miles)
Let's talk about what we're actually doing here, because the scale of this thing is mind-blowing:
The Physical Reality:
545 miles over 7 days
Daily distances ranging from 40-100+ miles
Burning approximately 3,000-6,000+ calories per day (depending on body weight, terrain, and how much I'm suffering on the hills)
For context: that's like doing 8-10 hours of moderate exercise daily
Spoiler: the ride provides plenty of plant-based options, so I won't be surviving on pocket oats alone—though I did pack extra just in case.
The Mission:
Over $300 million raised since 1994
The 2022 ride alone raised a record-breaking $17.8 million
Every seven days, more than 650 people in the United States become infected with HIV
Currently, 1.2 million people are living with HIV in the U.S., and one in seven don't know their status
Why This Matters (Beyond the Obvious)
AIDS/LifeCycle is ending not because the mission is complete, but because of rising costs and declining participation post-COVID. Many people under 40 have never lost friends to AIDS, leading to a widespread perception that it's "over."
It's not.
This final ride honors 31 years of community and the "Love Bubble"—that's what riders call the weeklong experience where strangers become chosen family. Tyler TerMeer, CEO of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and 21-time participant, puts it perfectly: "So many people have met the love of their life, their best friends, the people that they call in the happiest and the hardest of times."
Why Me Tho?
Here's the truth: because some battles matter more than my comfort.
Before I moved back to Portland, I worked for these organizations and I got to witness firsthand how valuable they are to the communities they serve. I used their services. We're all fighting the same fight, trying to end HIV and improve the quality of life for people who need it.
I also have HIV positive friends and there has always been work to be done about destigmatizing the virus. And I do love a physical challenge, in case you haven't seen me wobbling under as much weight as I can rack during any given exercise.
What This Means for Your Fitness Journey
You might wonder what a 545-mile bike ride has to do with your Sunday workout at West Coast Fitness. Everything, actually.
Every time you show up—even when you don't feel like it, even when it's just 30 minutes—you're proving you can do hard things. You're building the mental muscle that says, "I can push through discomfort for something important."
Whether it's one more rep, one more mile, or 544 more miles, it's the same principle: showing up when it matters, especially when it's hard.
The bigger lesson? Your fitness journey isn't just about you. Every time you prioritize your health, you're modeling what's possible. Every time you choose movement over comfort, you're building resilience that extends far beyond the gym. The strength you build here—physical and mental—prepares you for whatever life throws at you.
Some of you are fighting your own battles with health, loss, or just getting through each day. The hour you spend at West Coast Fitness? That's you refusing to give up. That's you choosing to keep moving forward.
That's why I ride. That's why you train. That's why we show up for each other.
The End of an Era
This year's ride promises to "honor the long history and incredible impact of AIDS/LifeCycle" as the final event. Over 70,000 riders, roadies, and volunteers have made this journey over the past 31 years.
I'll be riding not just for the incredible organizations this supports, but for everyone who can't ride, everyone we've lost, and everyone still fighting. The physical suffering will be temporary, but being part of something bigger than myself—that lasts forever.
From the road (hopefully still upright),
Your West Coast Fitness Family
P.S. - If you want to support the cause, you can still donate to AIDS/LifeCycle 2025. Every dollar goes directly to HIV/AIDS services through the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and LA LGBT Center. And if you see me stumbling around the gym next week, please be gentle—I'll probably still be processing the fact that I voluntarily rode a bicycle for 545 miles and lived to tell about it.
P.P.S. - The recovery center is going to get a serious workout when I get back. Those Normatec boots better be ready for me.
