Action Cycling Atlanta hosts a recruitment party tonight for the AV200 fundraiser

Get ready to ride for HIV research

Action Cycling Atlanta hosts a recruitment party tonight for the annual AV200, a 200-mile bike ride to be held May 19-20 to raise funds for HIV vaccine research at the Emory Vaccine Center.

The recruitment party is set for 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Sweetwater Brewery, 195 Ottley Drive, Atlanta, GA 30324, and costs $10. If you can’t attend the party, you can still sign up to participate in the cycling fundraiser by visiting www.av200.org.

The AV 200 is the largest single source of unrestricted funds for the Emory Vaccine Center. This will be 10th anniversary for the ride, which has raised over $1 million for HIV vaccine research.

Last year, about 130 riders made the trip from the campus of Emory University to Camp Rock Eagle in Eatonton and back. Riders can make the entire 200-mile trip, ride 160 miles, or ride as part of a relay team.

Emory divides the money between research efforts and the Hope Clinic, which performs clinical trials for vaccines and helps develop prevention and education efforts.
“It’s a tremendous resource and advantage to benefit from the AIDS Vaccine 200. We have federal grants to pay for much of our work, but we have needs that aren’t covered by federal dollars,” Dr. Mark Mulligan, Hope Clinic executive director, told GA Voice last year. “The bike riders have been a pivotal in helping us because they allow us to do more.”

The AV200 is the largest of several upcoming events for Action Cycling Atlanta.

According to a recent press release:

In addition to the November 3 recruiting party, Action Cycling plans a December event and 30-mile ride at Emory in recognition of World AIDS Day, December 1. The event, which is being held in conjunction with the display of a portion of the AIDS Quilt, will include a riderless ride – an homage to those who have been lost to HIV/AIDS. The group will also again host Spin to End (AIDS) 2012, an indoor cycling fundraiser that will take place Saturday, February 18th, at Athletic Club Northeast.