Imagine bicycling from San Francisco to Los Angeles in one week, not alone, but in a peloton of thousands. For 545 miles, a team of roadies dedicate their time and energy to supporting your southward journey. The daily rest stops are extravagant events with costumes, dance parties, and drag shows, while the nightly camps provide relaxation areas, medical facilities, and excellent food. Everywhere – among the riders, the volunteers, and residents along the route – there is exuberance and joy. This is the AIDS/LifeCycle, a yearly charity ride that raises millions of dollars to fight HIV/AIDS. Our guide to the ride is Meg Shutzer, an investigative journalist, filmmaker, and spinning instructor who currently captains the inclusive WeSpoke team and has participated in the AIDS/LifeCycle every year it’s been held since 2016.

New Generation Queens: a Zanzibar Soccer Story can be rented on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/newgenerationqueens

Meg’s website is www.megshutzer.com

The New York Times article can be found here: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/10/29/us/juvenile-detention-abuses-louisiana.html

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