Our History

Action Cycling Atlanta, Inc. (ACA) was formed in 2003 by a group of cyclists who participated in the 2002 European AIDS Vaccine Ride, one of the last AIDSRides produced by Pallotta Teamworks. The group was dismayed at cost overruns of the European ride. Additionally, the dissolution of Pallotta Teamworks created a funding vacuum for its beneficiaries.

ACA was incorporated as a 501c3 charitable organization and continued fundraising for global AIDS vaccine research at the Emory Vaccine Center, located in Atlanta, GA. In recent years, the ride has included Atlanta-area AIDS service organizations as beneficiaries.

The ride originally traveled from the Hope Clinic in Decatur, GA to Athens, GA. In 2007, in order to accommodate more riders, ride organizers changed the route to begin and end on the Emory University campus with a Saturday night stay at Rock Eagle 4-H Center near Eatonton, GA.

The AIDS Vaccine 200 existed as the Action Cycling 200 for its first 6 years. In 2009, the name of the ride was changed to communicate more clearly the purpose of the ride.

Two Decades of Impact and Legacy: The Beginning, A Ride with a Purpose

Action Cycling Atlanta, Inc. (ACA) was formed in 2003 by a group of passionate activist yclists who had participated in the 2002 European AIDS Vaccine Ride, one of the last AIDS Rides produced by Pallotta Teamworks. Knowing that a ride could be produced locally and more directly make an impact in the immediate community, these cyclists saw an urgent need to continue funding critical HIV/AIDS vaccine research and support local service organizations.

Determined to maximize fundraising impact, ACA dedicated itself to raising money for global AIDS vaccine research at the Emory Vaccine Center, one of the world's leading institutions for HIV vaccine development.

The Evolution of the Ride
The first AIDS Vaccine 200 (AV200) followed a route from the Hope Clinic in Decatur, GA, to Athens, GA. As the ride grew, organizers adapted the route to better accommodate more participants. In 2007, the ride shifted to start and end at Emory University, with an overnight stay at Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Eatonton, GA. We now have used the Emory Oxford Campus as a hub and this year we combined the best of the old routes and those of the new routes to create one unifiying experience.

Originally called the Action Cycling 200, the event was officially renamed the AIDS Vaccine 200 (AV200) in 2009 to better reflect its mission: funding HIV/AIDS vaccine research and supporting services for those affected by HIV/AIDS.

Our Impact: Millions Raised, Lives Changed
Since its inception, the AV200 has raised over $4 million for HIV/AIDS research, prevention, and support services. These funds have directly benefited:

- Emory Vaccine Center – Advancing research toward an HIV/AIDS vaccine and cure
- AID Atlanta – Providing education, testing, prevention programs, and care
- Positive Impact Health Centers – Delivering comprehensive, patient-centered HIV care and mental health services
= Status: Home – Supporting housing and essential services for those impacted by HIV/AIDS

Thanks to corporate sponsorships, 100% of the funds raised by riders and volunteers have gone directly to these beneficiaries, ensuring every dollar makes an impact.

The Final AV200: Honoring Our Legacy & Building the Future
After more than two decades of advocacy, fundraising, and community-building, May 17-18, 2025, will mark the final AV200 ride. To commemorate this legacy, we are establishing the AV200 Research Endowment at Emory Vaccine Center, an endowed fund that will continue supporting groundbreaking HIV research long after the ride concludes.

The final ride will culminate in a mass ride-in to Emory, inviting the entire AV200 family to celebrate our successes, honor those we've lost, and leave a lasting mark on the fight to end HIV/AIDS.

Join Us for the Final AV200 Ride!
🚴 Register to ride or volunteer at AV200.org
📲 Follow & tag us on social media: #AV2002025 #OnwardTogether #RideForHIVCure
📢 Stay connected: Join our AV200 Rider Experience group on Facebook & WhatsApp

The AV200 spirit will live on—in the research we’ve funded, the lives we’ve changed, and the community we’ve built. Let’s make this final ride our most impactful yet!