For Immediate Release
MAY 9, 2022

Action Cycling Atlanta is excited to announce the upcoming start of the 2022 AIDS Vaccine 200, a 200-mile, 2-day ride to support the Emory Vaccine Center at Emory University, held this weekend May 14-15, 2022. Volunteers are working hard this week to prepare the route and support infrastructure.

More than 100 riders and volunteers will work together to raise a target of more than $100,000 for Emory and local organizations that serve those living with HIV in the Atlanta area such as Jerusalem House and Positive Impact. This is the 19th year of the ride, which has thus far raised more than $3.5 million for its beneficiaries since 2003.

This all-volunteer ride solicits sponsorships from the corporate community to fund the costs of the event so that 100% of all donations made to riders go directly to the ride beneficiaries. Lead sponsors for 2022 include delaPlex Software LLC, Equifax, Inc., and TPG, Inc. Additional sponsors include Avita Pharmacy, Beyond the Curb Landscaping, Emory Woodruff Health Sciences Center, Highland Mortgage, SCOUT Health, YeahBuzzy, Coca-Cola, Emory Alliance Credit Union, Harmon Financial, Keller Knapp Realty, and Woofs Atlanta.

The ride will kick-off with a registration event on Friday, May 13, at the Emory University Student Center, with the official start of the ride at 7:30am on Saturday, May 14. Riders will ride 100 miles, ending at the Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Eatonton, GA, and return the next day to a celebration at Emory University. Along the way, sponsor and beneficiary volunteers staff rest stops for the teams to recharge. Individuals and teams have been preparing with recruiting events, training rides, and fundraising activities since the start of the year.

This is the first ride with the organization's traditional format since before the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 event was cancelled and the 2021 ride was in a virtual format. The 2022 ride was offered in a virtual format, but the vast majority of participants will be taking part in person. "We are so excited to be together again to 'Rise up, and Ride on'," said Rich Yarbrough, the President of Action Cycling Atlanta.

“We have been partnering with Action Cycling Atlanta since their very first ride in 2003. Every dollar given to the Emory Vaccine Center goes directly into HIV vaccine and cure research through our fellowship program supporting scientists early in their careers. We are so appreciative of the sponsors, riders, and all of the ride supporters as we work together to end four decades of the global HIV/AIDS pandemic,” said Dr. Rafi Ahmed, the Director of the Emory Vaccine Center and Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar at Emory University.

More information about the ride, our sponsors and our beneficiaries is available at the Action Cycling Atlanta website: www.actioncyclingatl.org. The weekend schedule of events that are open to the public include:

Saturday, May 14
7:00am Ride-preparations and official start (7:30am)

Sunday, May 15
4:00pm Riders return to Emory University for a community celebration

Action Cycling Atlanta is an all-volunteer, 501(c)3 non-profit organization that produces sporting events to increase awareness of HIV/AIDS, raises funds for eradication research and supports service organizations working to reduce transmission, educate the public and improve the lives of those affected by HIV/AIDS. www.actioncyclingatl.org

Inquiries about the AV200 ride should be directed to Rob Alford, Action Cycling Atlanta Board Vice President, +1 312 961 5207 or Robert@av200.org.