Steering Committee

Thrilled to back on the Friends For Life Bike Rally for the 8th time, I am ready to get on a new saddle as your incoming Co-Chair for the 27th Ride! My commitment to the Bike Rally stems from my dedication to the PWA agency and the work that they do to support those living with HIV/AIDS. As a POZ person living with HIV, I understand the daily STIGMA and subtle discrimination that sadly still exists – even though Undetectable = Untransmissible!

Being part of the F4LBR over the years allows me to be honest, proud and lead as part of the solution to living in a world where I’ll see medications will be FREE, infection rates will disappear, criminalization will end and our focus will remain on assisting those who will be aging with this insidious chronic illness. Until that happens, we need PWA and the services they provide to those who are marginalized within our system and need guidance and support to bring dignity to their lives.

 Whether you’re a rider, crew or donor,  know that your engagement with this annual magical journey is an honour. The Bike Rally is a herculean feat of grit, perseverance and will by all those committed to the cause. As your Co-Chair, along with Ariel and Robb, I welcome you to our family of generous hearts, open-minds and friends for life!

Hey Peeps! I’m Stiva (he/him), and I’m stoked to be back for my 8th year with the Bike Rally!

Over the years, I've had the awesome privilege of diving into different roles—Crew, Rider, Ambassador, Captain and Sponsorship Lead—each one giving me a new perspective and so much joy. Every year is an adventure, and I’m thrilled to continue this incredible ride with you all.

Can’t wait to meet each and every one of you! Let’s make this an unforgettable experience!

This will be my 10th year involved in the "Friends For Life Bike Rally" and I’ve had quite a varied history with this annual fundraiser: several fundraiser shows, 1 yr as a rider, as well as 1 yr on Rustler crew, 6 yrs on Road Support crew, 4 yrs on Participant Engagement and 3 yrs on Steering Committee. 
For the 27th year, I’ll be working on Community Engagement and this summer I’ll participate in the Road Support crew again, twerkin’ on the side assisting and cheering riders along the way.

2024 was my first year participating in PWA Bikerally and the value that it has added to my life is hard to put in words. Rewarding feeling of giving back to the community, friends, fitness, therapy - this ride has it all. Wanting to add more value to F4LBR, I am here in the role of recruiting more people and retaining past riders for this epic annual bike ride. All of Canada and rest of the world need to know about this event and we can never have enough people participating. Looking forward to bring it in with you.

I am very excited to be part of this year’s Steering Committee This will also be my 10th year participating as a 6-day rider. The Bike Rally means so many things to me - it’s a physical challenge, an opportunity to learn and fight stigma associated with HIV, and most importantly, an enduring community of friends for life. I’m excited to be able to contribute back to the community as Co-Lead for Fundraising alongside Rob and Trevor.   If you are looking for fundraising insights, suggestions or help reaching your goals, please reach out to our experienced team at fundraising@bikerally.org. I look forward to making this incredible journey with you!

Hello , I am Rob Veinott (He/Him) and I am really excited to be riding for my 15th year and my first as a team captain along with my friend  Michael Shreve . I have gained so much by my participation in the event. I love the beautiful training rides near Toronto , I love the idea of going for a bike ride on a weekend morning with my friends and I have loved the many teams I have been on over the years.Thats a lot of love but if you have participated in the event you will know what I’m talking about and if you are a new rider I guarantee you will feel it.

As a team captain I hope that we have fun together preparing for and during the event. I look forward to being with you at team socials and hopefully helping you put the fun in fundraising. And I hope you will help make this years event the best ever. And I will try to make sure to not get lost during the training rides but if I do and you follow me we will be lost together:-).

Hey Peeps! I’m Stiva (he/him), and I’m stoked to be back for my 8th year with the Bike Rally!

Over the years, I've had the awesome privilege of diving into different roles—Crew, Rider, Ambassador, Captain and Sponsorship Lead—each one giving me a new perspective and so much joy. Every year is an adventure, and I’m thrilled to continue this incredible ride with you all.

This year, I’m teaming up with Trevor to make sure you’re feeling prepped, pumped, and totally connected as you embark on this epic journey—whether it's your first time or you’re a seasoned pro.

Can’t wait to meet each and every one of you! Let’s make this an unforgettable experience!

This year will be my 8th year participating in the Friends For Life Bike Rally and my 4th year on the Steering Committee. I look forward to helping create a most memorable experience for all rally participants new and returning. Please feel free to reach out if you have any ideas that you would like us to explore at this year's rally. I look forward to an amazing year ahead.

I have been riding with Friends for Life since 2005. As a life-long cyclist the Rally was a good fit. What I didn’t expect was the remarkably caring and open culture of the Rally, sharing the DNA of Toronto PWA. I have been a team co-captain for several years and have been enjoying working on the Training and Support portfolio.

My name is Tak, and this will be my 5th year on the Friends For Life Bike Rally. I have been on the Nutrition Crew for all of those years. This year I'm Co-Leading with Julie Found.

I didn't know what to expect on my first Rally, but was made to feel a part of something bigger than myself. The commitment and dedication I saw around me, inspired and continues to inspire me.

Hello Everyone, I’ve had the pleasure of being involved in The Friends for life Bike Rally for three years. I’ve been a Rustler for two and rode for one. This year I’ve offered to help Co-Lead the Rustlers with Brent.

I’ve been on our Steering Committee for Two years with Jehd on Community Engagement and enjoyed getting in touch with others about the great work we are doing. I’m looking forward to this 4th year and doing some awesome stuff!

Vince

Patric Senson (he/him) is excited to be back on the Steering Committee after a few years away from the Bike Rally Leadership. He's especially thrilled to be working with Simon, who was one of the first friends for life that he made on his first rally in 2009! Patric brings a range of experience to the role of Team Leader, with more than a decade of involvement with the Bike Rally, including as a team captain, a member of the steering committee and the board of the PWA. Patric has also been involved in volunteer leadership for over 30 years. He's looking forward to another fun year of making friends and memories on the 2025 Bike Rally.

I am so excited to be returning to the Friends for Life Bike Rally in support of people living with HIV/AIDS! It will be my 18th year with this incredible, life-enabling event!

Since finding the strength to achieve the seemingly insurmountable challenge of riding a bicycle to Montreal, I've been captured by the inspiration and resilience of members of the family of HIV. 

This will be my 14th year of participating in the Friends for Life Bike Rally. After a brief break from a leadership role, I’m pleased to announce that I have joined the Steering Committee for the 27th year of the event, helping to lead the Road Support crew. Regardless of how we participate, whether as a rider or crew member, the important thing is that we’re participating. We share a common goal of raising awareness about HIV and AIDS and how there is still so much work to do in our communities to help break stigma and reduce the impact of the daily challenges faced by those living with HIV and AIDS. I look forward to helping the riders along the journey from Toronto to Montreal, and I’m really excited to start working with my fellow co-leads Connie Crosby and Ian Grant.

Connie Crosby has been both a rider and road support crew. This will be her 11th year participating in the Bike Rally. Connie was a team lead in 2023. She has also previously served on the Steering Committee as a co-lead of Participant Engagement.

As one of your Road Support co-leads for 2025, Connie is keen on helping riders feel safe and supported on the Rally. Let’s make this year one of the best ever!