Frequently Asked Questions

Cyclists will head north through Marin County, amongst the beautiful Redwood forests, and end the day in Guerneville – a storied LGBTQ+ village along the Russian River. We’ll camp both nights at Camp Russian River and Johnson’s Beach, a 15-minute walk apart. And despite two campsites, Cycle to Zero will facilitate a cohesive community experience across both sites!

From Guerneville, cyclists can pick 2 different – but equally spectacular – route options. 1-Day Cyclists joining us on this day will choose one of these routes for their day-long adventure:

Let’s Chill: ~40-miles

Zero-Hero Century: ~100-miles

Day 2 is also your chance to explore Guerneville beyond the saddle: take a day off from riding to join sponsored Cycle to Zero activities, or lean farther into a choose-your-own-adventure with a self-guided wander through oh-so-cute Guerneville. The sky’s the limit!

Return to San Francisco via the beautiful Sonoma coast. 

Cycle to Zero marks the next evolution — expanding our reach, deepening engagement, and opening new doors for our community of supporters. With an expansive vision, this event strengthens our sense of chosen family while welcoming more ways to take part and belong.

With Cycle to Zero, San Francisco AIDS Foundation is offering even more ways to participate than ever before—so you can find the ride that’s right for you.

3-Day Cyclists (Friday, May 21 – Sunday, May 23, 2027)

Cyclists committed to completing the entire three-day journey from San Francisco to the Russian River and back. This is a fully-supported experience for the duration of the event, all meals and camping accommodations included.

• A fundraising minimum of $2,500 total is required by May 1, 2026 for all 3-Day Cyclists, but additional fundraising is highly encouraged to support the services of San Francisco AIDS Foundation. If you are short of the total fundraising minimum at the end of the fundraising period, your credit card will be charged the difference if you still plan on attending.
• A fundraising minimum check-point of $500 by March 1, 2027 at 11:59 PM is required to maintain your placement on Cycle to Zero due to limited space on the event. Cyclists who do not meet this check-point risk losing their spot on Cycle to Zero to those fundraising on the Waitlist.
• A registration fee of $95 applies to all full three-day ride participants. This fee helps cover administrative costs, your registration t-shirt and a portion of event support.

1-Day Cyclists (Saturday, May 22, 2027)

Cyclists who wish to participate with us for a single day, joining on Saturday, May 22, 2027. This option is ideal for those with limited time or who prefer a shorter cycling challenge.

• No fundraising minimum required. While fundraising is not mandatory for this tier, we highly encourage a contribution to amplify our impact in the fight for health justice.
• A registration fee of $225 applies to all Day 2-only participants. This fee helps cover administrative costs, your registration t-shirt and a fully-supported 1-Day Cyclist experience, including breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Crew (Friday, May 21 – Sunday, May 23, 2027)

This tier is for individuals who commit to supporting the event as a volunteer for all 3 days. We will work with you to place you on a Crew team that best fits your interests and abilities. This could involve a role supporting rest stops, camp operations, SAG team support & gear, and/or other functional Crew teams necessary for Cycle to Zero’s infrastructure.

• All meals, camping accommodations, and transportation during the event are included.
• A fundraising minimum of $250 is required for all Crew participants, but additional fundraising is highly encouraged to support the services of San Francisco AIDS Foundation.
• A registration fee of $95 applies to all Crew participants. This fee helps cover administrative costs, your registration t-shirt and a portion of event support.

DIY Squad

For individuals who want to contribute to Cycle to Zero’s fundraising goals remotely. Virtual fundraisers can engage their networks and raise money from anywhere.

• Host a fundraiser at your favorite local bar, do a neighborhood bake sale, sell homemade holiday greeting cards: the sky is the limit, so use your creativity!
• There is no minimum fundraising requirement for virtual fundraisers. However, fundraising is highly encouraged to support the services of San Francisco AIDS Foundation.
• A registration fee of $45 applies to all DIY Squad participants. This fee helps cover administrative costs and your registration t-shirt.

3-Day Cyclist Waitlist

This tier is for individuals who wish to join Cycle to Zero as 3-Day Cyclists but are not guaranteed an immediate Cyclist spot. By joining the Waitlist, you’ll secure your place in line should additional capacity open up.

• All Waitlist registrants receive a personalized fundraising page upon registration. Placement on the active participant list is determined by fundraising volume — those who raise more are prioritized to the top of the Waitlist. Funds raised will automatically follow you if you are transitioned into a Cyclist spot during the current year. However, funds do not roll over to future events and are non-refundable, regardless of whether or not you make it off the Waitlist.
• Waitlist participants are eligible to take part in Cycle to Zero’s Cyclist incentive program.
• There is no registration fee to join the Waitlist. If you are moved off the Waitlist to an active 3-Day Cyclist slot, you will be charged the standard $95 registration fee.
• If you are moved off the Waitlist at any time, all participant type fundraising minimums and dates still apply.

Crew Waitlist

This tier is for individuals who wish to join Cycle to Zero as Crew members but are not guaranteed an immediate Crew spot. By joining the Waitlist, you’ll secure your place in line should additional capacity open up.

• All Waitlist registrants receive a personalized fundraising page upon registration. Placement on the active participant list is determined by fundraising volume — those who raise more are prioritized to the top of the Waitlist. Funds raised will automatically follow you if you are transitioned into a Crew spot during the current year. However, funds do not roll over to future events and are non-refundable, regardless of whether or not you make it off the Waitlist.
• Waitlist participants are eligible to take part in Cycle to Zero’s Crew incentive program.
• There is no registration fee to join the Waitlist. If you are moved off the Waitlist to an active Crew slot, you will be charged the standard $95 registration fee.
• If you are moved off the Waitlist at any time, all participant type fundraising minimums and dates still apply.

*Many of the Crew roles for Cycle to Zero include physical activity such as standing for extended periods, bending, twisting, reaching, or lifting up to 30 lbs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. Our Crew is the heart of Cycle to Zero, and we want everyone to feel supported in their role. While most positions include specific physical activities, we will work with you to find the right fit and explore accommodations when needed.

All participants and volunteers will be required to sign SFAF’s Liability Waiver prior to participating in the event.

Donor

Cycle to Zero is all about raising critical funds to support San Francisco AIDS Foundation. You can support Cycle to Zero by making a donation to an individual participant. You can also make a general donation to Cycle to Zero online by clicking here, or download an offline donation form.

3-Day Cyclists fundraise a minimum of $500 by March 1, 2027 at 11:59 PM and a total amount of $2,500 by May 1, 2027 at 11:59PM to maintain their spot in the event. Crew fundraise a minimum of $250 by May 1, 2027 at 11:59PM. 

Never fundraised before? You’ve got this! And, you’ll have access to numerous resources and tools to help you along each step of your fundraising journey. SFAF Events Staff support is never far away. You’ll be assigned a staff rep after you register who will help and support you in your fundraising efforts. 

1-Day Cyclists, DIY Squad, and Waitlist registrants are not committed to any amount of fundraising, but we strongly encourage you to make your impact a part of your experience whatever your participation type may be!

Each participant must pay a non-refundable registration fee that does not count towards their minimum fundraising commitment, nor is tax deductible. This fee is charged to your card when you register.

Additionally, if the participant’s fundraising minimum total has not been met by event Check-In and the participant shows up to come to the event, the participant’s card will be charged for the remaining amount yet required to meet the participant type’s fundraising minimum.

The minimum age to participate as a Cyclist or Crew in Cycle to Zero is 18; however, if you will be 18 by the start of the event, you may register.

Additionally, all ages can participate as a DIY Squad participant type from home!

Participation types are non-transferable.

Joining a team is one of the best ways to experience Cycle to Zero. You can sign up for a team when you register or jump in later on — either way, you’ll have a built-in crew to ride, fundraise, and celebrate with along the way.

• Each teammate still commits to meeting their own fundraising minimum.
• Donations can’t be shared or transferred between members — every mile and every dollar is yours to own.
• Crew participants are also welcome to join teams with Cyclists, forming connections that extend beyond their on-event Crew role!

Find your people, grow your impact, and ride together toward Zero.

All registrations and donations are non-refundable and non-transferable.

• 3-Day Cyclist: $95 Registration Fee
• 1-Day Cyclist: $225 Registration Fee
• Crew: $95 Registration Fee
• DIY Squad: $45 Registration Fee
• 3-Day Cyclist Waitlist: Free
• Crew Waitlist: Free

All registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Registration fees help cover the products and services of Cycle to Zero, including registration tee-shirts and some administrative costs, and are therefore non-tax deductible and do not apply to fundraising minimums.

Participation for Cyclists and Crew in Cycle to Zero has limited capacity. While SFAF Events Staff will be offering full support to all participants in their fundraising efforts towards participation, we have also included a required check-point goal specifically for 3-Day Cyclists who must raise a minimum of $500 by March 1, 2027 at 11:59 PM. Cyclists who do not meet the check-point minimum are at risk of losing their spot in Cycle to Zero. Following our review of under-benchmark registrants in March, we will offer a first round of spots to those on the waitlist.

Please note: Waitlisters automatically receive personalized fundraising pages upon registration. We encourage you to fundraise, train, and enjoy the impact of participating in the Cycle to Zero community! If your participation type is changed to active, all funds raised will apply towards your fundraising minimum and you will be charged the difference in registration fee. Any funds raised from the Waitlist are dedicated to the concurrent year’s event and will not be rolled over to subsequent years. As a reminder, donations are nonrefundable, even if you remain on the waitlist through the end of the event.

• Waitlisters will be prioritized to the top of the waitlist by volume of funds raised.
• Waitlisters who fundraise will automatically be enrolled in our fundraising incentives program.

Cycle to Zero starts the morning of Friday, May 21, 2027 and concludes the evening of Sunday, May 23, 2027. 1-Day Cyclists will participate on Saturday, May 22, 2027 only. Please stay tuned in to staff communications for event check-in details and start times.

If you are traveling from outside the Bay Area, we recommend you plan to arrive in San Francisco no later than the afternoon of Thursday, May 20 to ensure you have enough time to account for any small delays and make any last-minute preparations. And remember, it will be an early start on Friday, so make sure you leave time for adequate rest on Thursday night!

Whether you’re a brand-new rider or a seasoned veteran of the road, Cycle to Zero has the resources to help get you ready to roll! The Cycle to Zero website is your one-stop-shop for all things CTZ: training resources, training ride schedules, safety information, fundraising toolkits, and much more!

Due to the varied levels of cycling experience within the Cycle to Zero community, and the diverse terrains and conditions cyclists will encounter, it is crucial that everyone adheres to Cycle to Zero Rules of the Road located in our [training resources page.] We take safety seriously and ask that you do too! Please become familiar with the Cycle to Zero’s safety rules – they are enforced during the event to help you stay safe while riding alone or in a group.

We will provide comprehensive options surrounding the check-in and gear-drop processes for Cycle to Zero to make sure your pre-event is as seamless as possible. Please stay tuned on this front for updates from our team as we get closer to Cycle to Zero. 

The Cycle to Zero campsites will have all of your basic amenities covered! You will have access to shower trucks, water, portable toilets, hot food and beverages, charging stations, and all participants will be housed in dual-occupancy tents. Feel free to bring any compact creature comforts that will help your Cycle to Zero house become a home!

Refer to our training guide for more information on bikes and suggested cycling gear, but generally speaking road bikes are best suited for this type of event. Road bikes combine efficiency, comfort, versatility, and speed—letting you ride farther, faster, and with less fatigue. They also have the proper shifting gears needed to climb hills with less effort and keep a steady cadence on flats or descents. Road bikes are also better for paved surfaces, as their tires grip well on pavement. But ultimately, whatever bike you are most comfortable with and have been training with consistently would be appropriate to bring. Keep in mind e-bikes are not allowed.

At this time, e-bikes are not permitted on Cycle to Zero.

Cycle to Zero will have a Medical Director supporting the ride along with a team of Volunteer First Aid Responders to provide first aid only to injured participants and staff at the first aid tent in camp, rest stops and lunch stops. Our team will be in contact with additional local emergency resources who will be notified and near the Cycle to Zero route to help manage all escalated medical situations.

Cycle to Zero will offer a variety of delicious meal options at every stop, including vegetarian choices. The SFAF Events Team will share the full menu in advance so you know what to expect. If you have any serious allergies or health-related dietary restrictions, please let us know — we want to do our best to keep you safe and cared for throughout the ride. We know you’re burning lots of calories, so don’t fret! We’ve got nutritious meals to fuel your body as you pedal, and plenty of rest stop snacks to keep you moving.

The Cycle to Zero route is ready for riders rain or shine, with only the most extreme conditions keeping us off the road. Your safety is always our top priority, and if the weather requires any changes to the schedule, the SFAF Events Team will make sure you’re updated quickly and clearly.

Matching Gifts are a great way to double, or even triple, the impact of your donor’s dollars! Invite your donors to use the [[Cyle to Zero Matching Gifts]] tool to find out if their employers offer employer matching. Remember, matches can sometimes take two months or more to reach us, so make sure to submit them early!

If you are traveling from outside the Bay Area, we recommend you plan to arrive in San Francisco no later than the afternoon of Thursday, May 20 to ensure you have enough time to account for any small delays and make any last-minute preparations. And remember, it will be an early start on Friday, so make sure you leave time for adequate rest on Thursday night!

Checks can be mailed to San Francisco AIDS Foundation. Including a [[Donation Form]] (see San Francisco AIDS Foundation form) with the check and having your donor write your name and Cycle to Zero on the memo line of the check will ensure the donation is credited to your fundraising account.

NOTE: Some people have Donor Advised Funds, and this is a great way to get donations. Donor Advised Funds work just as well as a personal check. Simply ask the donor to include a note or memo that indicates the donation is intended for Cycle to Zero along with your name. A note as simple as: “Cycle to Zero: Participant Name” will ensure you get credit.

Your donor should select San Francisco AIDS Foundation as the beneficiary.

• The tax ID number for San Francisco AIDS Foundation is 94-2927405.
• If someone wants to break down a donation into monthly payments instead of paying all at once, they can do that on our website. What’s more, you’ll get credit for the full amount up front!
• San Francisco AIDS Foundation is busy year-round advancing health justice and the fight against HIV and AIDS. Every gift is put to work immediately, expanding access to care, prevention, and essential services for communities most impacted. Because donations are used upon receipt to fuel this mission, all contributions are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Check out the [[About SFAF]] page to learn more about our mission and the important impact your participation in Cycle to Zero will have on our ability to provide free programs and services to your community. Make sure to take note so you can share through to your supporters how your hard work translates into health services action!

For more detailed information on all SFAF programs and services visit our homepage at sfaf.org.

Charitable Use of Donations:

• 100% of participant-raised donations go directly to San Francisco AIDS Foundation’s charitable programs and services.
• 0% of donations go to commercial fundraisers or paid solicitors. Cycle to Zero participants are volunteer fundraisers.
• Registration fees are non-tax-deductible and cover event costs separately from charitable donations.

Transparency Commitment: SFAF files annual reports with the California Attorney General’s Registry of Charitable Trusts. Our financial statements and Form 990 are available at sfaf.org/financials or upon request.

Non-Refundable Donation Policy

All donations to Cycle to Zero are non-refundable and non-transferable. This policy is consistent with California law governing charitable contributions and ensures your generous support can be immediately deployed to serve our communities.