Here I go again! Beginning June 3, 2012, I will once again ride my bicycle 545 miles along with thousands of others in support of the  AIDS/LifeCycle.

I am not a doctor or even a research technician. I cannot myself find a cure, but I can ride with the support—financial and emotional—of my friends and family to raise funds and awareness about HIV and AIDS. I have to do something to make an impact! For me, there are three aspects to the impact of this endeavor: the past, the present and the future.

Guys with buns of steel or quads for days might not think so (isn’t that right, Katz?), but I’m not one of those lucky men. I suppose some people must look good in them, right? They were invented for function over style, of course, but I still feel a little foolish and self-conscious pulling them on every time I prep for a training ride.

You hear that expression when someone is referring to how easy something should be because at one time or another in your life you mastered that activity. Even if you haven’t sat on a bicycle since childhood you should be able to hop back on a bike and ride it again as if no time had passed at all—something to do with muscle memory marrying cognitive skills or some such science-y explanation.

We've already invaded Silverlake, so now join us (again!) as Instinct Magazine invades Legendary Bingo in West Hollywood! From event tickets and trips to electronics and more, every game you play goes toward winning one of our Fabulous Prizes benefitting Team Instinct for the 2012 AIDS/LifeCycle. Details after the jump!

When it comes to supporting AIDS/LifeCycle, our Instincters are the best! After a feverish (and generous) bidding war for our White Party Palm Springs VIP Weekend Pass auction, we turned the Instinct offices upside down looking for one more pass...

With less than 80 days to go until the start of ALC 11, riders and roadies are busy gearing up and raising funds to get on the road. But don't miss out on the NorCal and SoCal Rider Expos and Roadie Trainings coming up in the next two weeks! Dates and details after the jump.

A HUGE thank you to our friends and sponsors of Team Instinct for the 2012 AIDS/LifeCycle...

Sure, we may have all gotten a little burnt out on the “shit people say” videos earlier in the year, but when we ran across this gem we couldn’t help but share. And if you’re an ALC rider, roadie or vet, you surely can relate...

Just because the ride may take place in California, that doesn't mean the Golden State gets to have all the fun. Calling all those registered, alum and interested ALC participants in Denver—it's time to party! 

The official ALC Kickoff Party for Denver is happening Friday, Feb. 17!

Hosted by ALC in conjunction with Team Colorado, one of the largest participant teams, the kickoff party is a great time to meet other riders and roadies in the state of Colorado.

This is an open event for anyone to attend and we welcome you to bring along friends and family.

At this event we'll have:
—Amazing raffle prizes
—$20 discount off the registration fee!
—ALC staff to answer questions and share information
—Team Colorado Training...

With fantastic turnouts in Los Angeles and San Francisco for their respective parties—not to mention tons of new registered riders and roadies!—it’s time for San Diego to get in on the fun with a kickoff party!

AIDS/LifeCycle and Instinct Magazine are very excited to invite you to the official Kickoff Party in San Diego on Thursday, Feb. 9!

Instinct has been committed to covering HIV/AIDS-related news and stories since our inception more than 14 years ago. And though the disease itself has certainly changed, our dedication to keeping the topic of HIV/AIDS in the public consciousness—particularly in the gay community—has not weakened. But we recognize that it takes more than just talk to make a difference.

That’s why we are excited and honored to once again be participating in the AIDS/LifeCycle as Team Instinct! But not only will we be riding and roadie-ing during this year’s event—Instinct Magazine is also the new proud official media sponsor for ALC!

Come kickoff the New Year with AIDS/LifeCycle at the annual Kickoff Parties. Meet fellow participants who have made a resolution to partake in this amazing event and raise vital funds for the HIV/AIDS Services of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. As we share the spirit of the ALC community and countdown to another life changing event, you’ll have a chance to win fabulous door prizes, nibble on tasty appetizers and share your training and fundraising stories.