Happy to be taking part in my 10th bike rally!! This year is a big one for me and my goal is to have a safe and successful ride to Montreal.

What started years ago as a physical challenge has become for me a journey of friendship and support. There is really no event like this.

Looking forward to leading a team of fun and engaged riders to experience this amazing journey. Always enjoy seeing old friends and meeting new ones as we help each other get to the finish line.

This will be my 9th year with the Friends for Life Bike Rally. Two of those were riding with strong teams and 6 years as Team Captain with Jeff.

During those 6 years, we successfully worked to support riders who were looking for guidance, training partners, friendships and fun.

Recognizing that all members are unique in what they are looking for in the rally, we were there to support. Teams developed of friendships to last. That’s our focus

This will be my 12th year on the rally and sixth as a team captain. I keep coming back to the rally year after year because it’s so much fun and so fulfilling.

Getting to support PWA and its incredible work while pushing ourselves physically and emotionally in the beautiful outdoors, building community at the same time – it doesn’t get any better!

I have been part of some truly amazing teams, and Kyle and I will do everything we can to build a fun, friendly and inclusive team this year. Our goal is for everyone to have a great experience.

Hi! I’m Kyle and this will be my third time doing the bike rally. I joined my first rally after meeting a cute guy at a backyard pride party in June who said I should do it. I was having a summer of saying yes to everything so the decision was easy! This experience totally changed my life. I met friends I now consider family and that cute guy has been my boyfriend the last 2 years and will be my co-captain this year!

As a captain, I want to build a sense of community, where we can laugh about how much our legs hurt after day one and cry about how beautiful it is to connect with everyone.

The bike rally is amazing and as your captain, I will do everything I can to help you have the best experience possible!

Hello! I first joined the Friends for Life Bike Rally last year, in 2023. I’m an experienced cyclist and backcountry camper.

At first, I signed on just for the challenge of the Rally. 600KM, rain or shine, from Toronto to Montreal? It’s an incredible feat. I’ve always been into cycling and camping and thought that the Rally was a perfect opportunity to combine the two.

On day one of the 2023 Rally I realized that this event means so much more than just the physical challenge of completing the distance.

The Friends For Life Bike Rally stands for much more than that, and it is important to recognize the cause it represents, helping those with HIV/AIDS. The Rally is an incredible opportunity to meet new friends that you will hold onto for life and to represent an important cause.

There is a wonderful sense of community and kinship along the Bike Rally, and I’m proud to be a team captain and do my best to foster a safe, inclusive, and understanding place for everyone involved.

I first joined the Bike Rally family in 2009, when to celebrate a milestone birthday (I won't say which one), I finally thought I'd try this challenge so many of my friends had done before me. I haven't ridden every year since then, but I've been on more years than I've missed. Along the way I've been a team leader, a member of steering committee and served on the board of the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation.

For me, the Rally is more than just a six day ride to Montreal, it's a community that cares about giving back to society. I've met some of the closest people in my world on the Rally and look forward to meeting more each year.

As a team lead my goal is to create a safe and caring space for new riders to experience the Rally for the first time, and a great fun event for everyone (whether on my team or not). I believe in leaving behind a wake of kindness wherever we travel, be it a training ride or all the way to Montreal. Oh, and raise a little money along the way for those living with HIV/AIDS.

I am excited to be back after completing my first rally in 2023. From the fundraising to the rally itself, it was all deeply rewarding and pure fun.

Ready to rally again for my second year as a team captain and with a higher fundraising goal!

Looking forward to encouraging all the riders on my team to reach their goals and have the best experience they can!

I’m back for year two of rally, this time as a Team Captain!

Last year was a life changing experience which inspired me to step up. I’m all about keeping things fun and supportive as we ride together on this awesome cause!

As a second-year rider, all the challenges from my first year is still fresh in my mind and I hope to be a support and guide to new, and not so new, riders who will be facing the same unfamiliar challenges.

Let's make a difference together!

Francisco (a 9-time Bike Rally rider and former PWA Board member and Chair) and Rob (a 4-time Bike Rally rider) took a break last year to get married!

They met on a training ride, and so can definitely attest to the personal rewards of the Bike Rally - sometimes in unexpected ways. Francisco and Rob are excited to be back this year - for the first time as Team Captains.

Fun and organized – they are looking to share their enthusiasm for the Bike Rally by supporting new and returning riders.

In 2005, my first Friends for Life Bike Rally left a lasting impact on me. For five consecutive years, I pedaled from Toronto to Montreal, contributing to a collective effort for positive change. Life took me on a different path for a decade, but last year,

I eagerly returned to the saddle to reignite the passion from years ago.

Now in my 7th year I will be co-leading the team with my friend Serge Létourneau.

The bike rally is more than a physical challenge; it's a unique opportunity to disconnect, connect with fellow riders, recharge my spirit, and find both community and solitude.

It's a time to give to a cause that matters deeply and experience the fulfillment of being part of something greater than oneself.

I wear many hats in life : I'm the proud father of an amazing 11 year old girl, I'm a drama teacher and I'm a week-end warrior.

If you're looking for me, chances are that you'll find me somewhere on the planet either cycling, skiing, sailing or running.

As a team capitain, I want to make your experience on the rally the best possible by creating a fun, engaging and positive environment. I will be there to answer your questions and help you reach your goals.

My name is Dianne Hind, this will be my 10th year with the Friends For Life Bike Rally and my 5th time being a team captain.

If you join Stiva's and my team you can expect lots of helpful information and lots of fun too. We like to have monthly socials which are great ways to meet your other teammates and especially good for first year riders to ask questions and gain insights to the bike rally experience.

For me, the bike rally really has meant friends for life and has been a richly rewarding experience. Cheers

My name is Stiva (he/him.) This will be my 7th year with the Bike Rally. I started off as a Rustler and have ridden 5 times. The years have not been consecutive, but the Bike Rally family has always welcomed me back with open arms. I connected with the Bike Rally to help make a difference in our community and elevate such a great cause. I live by the mantra that we are here on this earth to leave it a bit better than we found it. And I think everyone associated with the Bike Rally and PWA are doing just that.

I am thrilled to be onboard for another year as the Sponsorship Co-Lead, a Team Captain and adding Bike Rally Ambassador to my responsibilities. I spend my life teaching Group Fitness classes, so I naturally connect with leading groups and building community.

As a Co-Captain with Dianne, I will always lead from a place of inclusivity and will help provide you with as much support as you need to help you feel prepared, connected and excited for the great journey that is the Bike Rally.

Let's get this party started!!!

Very excited to join the rally for my fifth year, returning as a team captain for our Montreal/Kingston contingent.

Having participated as a Toronto-based rider, a volunteer and now three years riding into my hometown

I feel ready to support all aspects of the rally. I can’t wait for a hopefully drier year 🤣.

I have known about the Bike Rally for many years but as a non-cyclist and living in Kingston, I didn’t think it was possible. I learned in 2021 that Trellis HIV Community Care was now a partner of the Bike Rally, and as I needed a new exercise challenge, I registered for the 3-day ride. I purchased a road bike and started training in doors. My first training ride on the road, I didn’t know how to change the gears or clip in. I met amazing people while training in Kingston, Montreal, and Toronto, who shared biking tips and motivation, including changing my registration to 6-day ride.

The Rally experience was life changing and this will be my third year participating. Last year Kevin (lives in Montreal) and I (live in Kingston) coached a small but mighty team of riders who resided outside of Toronto. We created a team from a distance, with the support of technology and training rides in both Montreal and Kingston.

This year Kevin and I hope to recruit more local cyclists and to provide support, encouragement, social events, and friendship to other riders outside of Toronto. We hope to build a strong community, awareness of the Rally, the work of our local agencies and to end stigma.

Hey folks, I’m Michael 👋! This will be my sixth time cycling from Toronto to Montréal in the Friends for Life Bike Rally, and my second time as team captain.

I originally embarked on this pedal-powered pursuit of glory to support the life-changing services offered by our local AIDS Service Organizations, to give back to my community, to meet new people and for the physical, mental and emotional challenges the Bike Rally provides.

What brings me back each year you may ask? The important impact of this charity ride. The random acts of kindness. The sense of community. The lifelong memories. The friendships. The laughs (and the cries!).

My love for the open road is matched only by my commitment to fostering camaraderie and a sense of belonging among riders – old and new – which is what brought me back to lead a team once again this year.

For those thinking of joining for the first time, I promise that this experience will be nothing short of amazing. New to cycling? Worry not, my friend. Heck, I didn’t even know how to spell “bike” before training started my first year! There’s a whole community here to get you ready to roll when we depart in August.

So, saddle up and join me and Simon (my fearless co-captain) as we pedal our way to triumph, leaving a trail of tire tracks and unforgettable memories in our wake.

From the first mile to the finish line, I promise you’ll have a wheely unforgettable time! ;)

I can't wait to get back in the saddle, heading into my 16th year participating in the Bike Rally, I've always said, "It's the best part of my summer!"

A former love of mine told me they were taking on this daunting endeavor. I was floored! The next summer, I signed up for the challenge. Yet, it's the cause that really cemented my passion for the Bike Rally and kept me coming back year after year. It replenishes your mind, body and soul, all the while raising much-needed funds for our partner HIV/AIDS Service Organizations. It's an honour to once again co-lead a team of riders who are dedicated to making a positive difference.

Join Michael and I as we provide guidance, encouragement, and FUN over several months of training, capped off by the big event.

See you out on the road!

I'm so thrilled to be back this year as a team captain with the Velma to my Roxie, Jonathan!

Taking on the role of Team Captain for the first time was a daunting task, but thanks to the support of the Bike Rally community and our team, it was one of the most meaningful experiences I've had.

I felt so proud seeing everyone come together, support one another and ultimately have a blast cycling from Toronto to Montreal! If we can make five days of rain a party, you know we're doing something right!

Apart from the Rally itself, the training rides and social events leading up to the Rally were some of my favourite parts of the experience. You start to make new friends, improve your cycling, and build the confidence that will get you from Toronto to Montreal in one piece. As your captain I look forward to being there with you each step of the way and making sure that your time with the Rally is absolutely fabulous!

I can guarantee that there will be loads of fun and laughter with us! I look forward to supporting and encouraging you from fundraising and training to crossing the finish line in Montreal!

2024 marks my third year in the Friends For Life Bike Rally, and my second year as a Team Captain. In my first year on the rally, I made a commitment to myself and to the cause to give it my all, and year after year that desire to give back continues to grow. Soaking in everything that the Bike Rally has to offer has truly been life changing for me. From training rides to team socials to the the big ride - every year provides a new journey marked with lasting memories.

The F4LBR fosters inclusiveness, and that is a feeling I want to continue to expand upon, not just for myself but for everyone on our team. I cannot wait to get back in the saddle and take this journey with what will undeniably be an amazing team. The fact that I also get to return to the role of Co-Captain with my dear friend Brian is just the cherry on top of what will no doubt be another amazing year!

So, whether you are a first year rider or a returning rider, know that Brian and I are so excited to get our team moving! Together we will fundraise, make connections and support ending the stigma of HIV - all while continuing to get fit. Nothing beats being able to raise funds for an amazing support network whilst having a blast doing it - and making friends for life! Trust us, you don’t want to miss out on all the fun we are going to have!