Team TheyDyBugs at NorCal AIDS Cycle 2026: HIV/AIDS Prevention & Awareness

In May 2026, Team TheyDyBugs hit the road for the NorCal AIDS Cycle (NCAC), a four-day cycling event in Sacramento dedicated to raising funds and awareness for HIV/AIDS service organizations throughout Northern California. This year’s ride took place May 14–17 and brought together riders, crew members, volunteers, and supporters united by a shared commitment to ending HIV stigma and supporting people living with HIV/AIDS.

A bicycle license plate displaying the name of the rider, team name, and GHC logo

A bicycle license plate displaying the name of the rider, team name, and GHC logo

Two GHC cyclists in colorful jerseys smile for the camera at the start of Day 3 (Tropical Day), surrounded by trees and camping tents. The day 3 ride was 72 miles and took riders around the Sutter Buttes and back.

This year, Team TheyDyBugs was represented by one incredible crew member and three dedicated cyclists. Beyond the physical challenge of the ride itself, the experience created opportunities to connect with community members, fellow providers, friends, and families who all came together in support of local HIV/AIDS service organizations. Across four days, we cheered on riders, encouraged one another through difficult stretches, shared stories, and built deeper connections rooted in care and solidarity.

Crew and cyclists for Team TheyDyBugs celebrate their accomplishment in front of the State Capitol building, holding bouquets and wearing medals, embodying the spirit of teamwork and triumph.

About NCAC

The NorCal AIDS Cycle (NCAC) exists to:

• Raise funds for HIV/AIDS-related services throughout inland Northern California

• Increase awareness of the organizations and programs supporting people impacted by HIV/AIDS

• Encourage greater community participation and advocacy

• Promote dignity, quality of life, and acceptance for people affected by and living with HIV/AIDS

These efforts are critical in supporting pathways to end HIV. This includes increasing access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) for people living with HIV, expanding access to PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) for HIV prevention, and ensuring people exposed to HIV can access PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) quickly and effectively to prevent HIV.

Riding 4 the Homies

The ride itself was both beautiful and challenging. Cyclists traveled through scenic rural Northern California landscapes that included two climbs exceeding 3,000 feet in elevation alongside two flatter riding days. Day 3 brought especially difficult conditions, with wind gusts reaching up to 35 miles per hour.

NCAC cyclists being shielded from the 30 mph headwinds by the SAG crew during a grueling northern riding stretch.

Despite the challenges, riders and crew persevered together. By day four, strong tailwinds helped carry the team back into Sacramento, where cyclists crossed the finish line at the State Capitol surrounded by cheering friends, family, and supporters.

NCAC cyclists at the finish line entering into the State Capitol

Why Do Events Like This Still Matter - HIV Prevention

Events like the NorCal AIDS Cycle remain deeply important because HIV is not over. HIV continues to impact people and communities locally, nationally, and globally. While tremendous progress has been made in HIV treatment and prevention, there is still significant work ahead to end the epidemic and ensure equitable access to care.

According to national data, people ages 13–34 accounted for 60% of the estimated 31,800 new HIV transmissions in the United States in 2022. Approximately 1.2 million people in the U.S. were living with HIV, and 87% knew their HIV status. Thanks to advances in treatment, people living with HIV are living longer, healthier lives, with nearly half of all people living with HIV now age 50 or older.

Effective antiretroviral therapy has also transformed HIV prevention. More than half of people living with HIV have achieved viral suppression, with the goal of reaching undetectable viral levels. When a person’s viral load becomes undetectable through consistent treatment, HIV cannot be sexually transmitted to others which is a principle widely known as U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable). Early diagnosis, access to treatment, and consistent care allow people living with HIV to live long, healthy lives comparable to their HIV-negative peers.

Sacramento Community Care Always

The Gender Health Center is proud to be 1 of the 13 beneficiary organizations supported through NCAC fundraising efforts. Funds raised through the ride help provide unrestricted support for GHC’s Syringe Services Program (SSP) and sexual health programming, allowing us to continue offering life-saving mobile harm reduction services, access to healthcare navigation, HIV prevention education and linkage to care, and affirming community connections.

The NorCal AIDS Cycle reminds us that community care saves lives. Every mile ridden, every donation raised, and every person who shows up in support helps strengthen the network of organizations and people working toward a future free from HIV stigma and barriers to care. We are deeply grateful to everyone who supported Team TheyDyBugs and the NorCal AIDS Cycle this year.