Los Angeles LGBT Center Launches ‘Center Ride Out,’ A Three-Day Cycling Adventure Across Southern California
—
An AIDS/LifeCycle legacy event, Center Ride Out invites cyclists and LGBTQ+ allies to join a new movement—fueling the Center’s life-saving services for the LGBTQ+ community.
April 24–26, 2026
—
Media Kit Here
Courtesy of the Los Angeles LGBT Center
LOS ANGELES, November 18, 2025—The Los Angeles LGBT Center announces the launch of Center Ride Out, an AIDS/LifeCycle legacy event and new three-day cycling adventure spanning Southern California. The inaugural ride, taking place April 24–26, 2026 from Los Angeles to San Diego, raises funds to support the Center’s life-saving programs and services.
Building on the enduring impact of AIDS/LifeCycle—an iconic 7-day ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles that raised more than $300 million for HIV/AIDS services since 1994—Center Ride Out carries forward the spirit of community, resilience, and pride that has inspired generations of riders, volunteers (“roadies”) and supporters across California and beyond.
“For decades, our community has come together to ride for something greater than ourselves,” said Joe Hollendoner, CEO of the Los Angeles LGBT Center. “Center Ride Out honors a rich legacy while charting a bold path forward—celebrating our progress and recommits us to fight for health equity, compassion, and visibility for all LGBTQ+ people.”
The three-day adventure takes riders from the heart of Los Angeles through Riverside County’s rolling hills, culminating in San Diego’s coastal sunshine. Day 1 and Day 3 feature long endurance rides of 80–100 miles, while Day 2 offers a ‘choose your own adventure’ with options from 20 to 100 miles. Each day offers a unique experience—from city streets to scenic climbs to a celebratory Finish Line Festival—reflecting the diversity, endurance, and spirit of Southern California’s LGBTQ+ community.
Proceeds from Center Ride Out will directly power the Center’s mission to create a world where every LGBTQ+ person can live freely and fully. Every mile and every dollar helps build a stronger, more equitable future for Southern California’s queer and trans communities.
As government support for critical LGBTQ+ programs continue to face historic cuts, events like Center Ride Out have become essential to sustaining our life-saving services. This year’s ride includes a minimum fundraising requirement of $2,500 by April 10, 2026 for all participants, ensuring the Center can continue meeting the urgent needs of the community. To preserve the quality of the experience and impact of the event, the inaugural ride will be capped at 525 participants—and registration has already reached 50 percent of that goal.
Beyond advancing HIV/AIDS prevention and care, funds raised through the ride sustain the Center’s life-saving work across four impact areas: Healthcare, Housing and Social Services, Culture and Education, and Advocacy.
In addition to supporting the Los Angeles LGBT Center, 10 percent of net proceeds will benefit the San Diego LGBT Community Center and The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert.
“Center Ride Out is more than a ride—it’s a movement,” said Melissa Lewis, Director of Center Ride Out. “We’re uniting cyclists, volunteers, and supporters across Southern California to celebrate who we are and why we ride: for community, for pride, and for the future of LGBTQ+ equity. Whether a first-time rider or a seasoned cyclist, there’s a place for you on this ride. Every participant helps move our mission forward.”
Along the route, riders and volunteers will experience the joy of queer community—from shared meals under the stars, to nightly drag performances, to a basecamp with festivities, and a shared experience that turns strangers into chosen family. Center Ride Out welcomes participants of all backgrounds, including BIPOC, TGNBI+, women and femmes, straight allies, and anyone unsure if they can meet the ride or fundraising challenge. With supported routes and on-road assistance, the ride is accessible to everyone, reflecting our commitment to connection and celebrating the full diversity of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies.
Registration and fundraising are now open at lalgbtcenter.org/centerrideout, where participants can learn more about the ride and help fuel this movement for change.
###
About Center Ride Out
Center Ride Out, an AIDS/LifeCycle legacy event, is a three-day cycling adventure across Southern California benefiting the Los Angeles LGBT Center. Designed to celebrate resilience, community, and pride on the road, the event invites riders and volunteers to continue the enduring legacy of AIDS/LifeCycle while supporting the Center’s life-saving programs and services. Learn more at lalgbtcenter.org/centerrideout or follow @CenterRideOut on all socials.
About the Los Angeles LGBT Center
Since 1969, the Los Angeles LGBT Center has cared for, championed, and celebrated LGBTQ+ individuals and families in Los Angeles and beyond. Today, the Center’s nearly 800 employees provide services for more LGBTQ+ people than any other organization in the world, offering programs, services, and global advocacy that span four broad categories: Health, Social Services and Housing, Culture and Education, Leadership and Advocacy. We are an unstoppable force in the fight against bigotry and the struggle to build a better world; a world in which LGBTQ+ people thrive as healthy, equal, and complete members of society. Learn more at lalgbtcenter.org