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SANTA CRUZ — Cyclists pedaled in Santa Cruz heading to Harvey West Park as 1,400 riders came through town on the first day of the AIDS/LifeCycle ride after leaving San Francisco earlier in the day.

AIDS/LifeCycle is a seven-day, 545-mile bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles, co-produced by and benefiting San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the Los Angeles LGBT Center. The riders are supported by 600 volunteer "roadies" along the way.

The event raises awareness about the ongoing HIV/AIDS epidemic and funds services such as HIV testing, prevention, care and much more.

The ride began in 1994 and was called the "California AIDS Ride." In 2002, it was rebranded as AIDS/LifeCycle. Since 1994, participants have raised more than $300 million for HIV and AIDS-related causes.

Monday morning the cyclists head south for the 109-mile ride to King City.

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