Bicycle enthusiasts can promote AIDS awareness by participating in the AIDS Day Ride and Candlelight Vigil on Saturday in West Hollywood.
The 32-mile ride begins and ends at Bikes and Hikes LA, 8743 Santa Monica Blvd., said Danny Roman, founder of the West Hollywood bicycle-touring company. Riders will travel to Ballona Creek and circle back around in Marina Del Rey.
Meet time is 1 p.m., and riders hit the street at 1:30.
A candlelight vigil procession will go from Bikes and Hikes to West Hollywood Park at 5 p.m.
"We are thrilled to be co-sponsoring the ride this Saturday," Roman said. "Bikes and Hikes LA is offering a free bike rental with helmet to those that are thinking about doing the AIDS/LifeCycle ride but don't currently own a bike and want to experience a training ride before making the commitment."
The event is also co-sponsored by the city of West Hollywood and Shifting Gears. It is part of the AIDS/LifeCycle awareness campaign that benefits HIV/AIDS services at the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center and San Francisco AIDS Foundation.
In the last 10 years, 10,000 people from West Hollywood and neighboring communities died of AIDS, Councilman John Duran said in an e-mail to Patch.
"Each year the city of West Hollywood remembers our lost loved ones and recommits itself to being in the battle against AIDS until it is over," said Duran, who is HIV-positive and has participated in the annual 545-mile AIDS/LIfeCycle ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles.
He said World AIDS Day "is a day to remember to get tested for HIV. If you are positive, get on the treatments and reduce your viral load to undetectable levels. It will not only save your life, but will be highly effective in preventing you from transmitting the virus to someone else."
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