First, welcome to the NCAC family! We're glad you're here.

Start by getting connected. Your Team Captain is a great resource if you're on a team, and our veteran cyclists and crew are always happy to share their experience. Keep an eye on the NCAC calendar for training rides, social events, and other opportunities to meet your fellow NCACers.

You'll also receive information to help you get ready for the ride, including training and event information. Don't feel like you have to figure everything out on your own—we've all been the new person at some point!

Absolutely not! You don't need to be a seasoned cyclist to join NCAC. Many participants start with little or no experience riding long distances.

The key is to start training early and follow the training resources we provide. Our training rides are also a great way to build your mileage, meet other cyclists, and get comfortable riding with the group.

That's what Crew is for!

Our Crew members are an essential part of NCAC. They help keep cyclists safe, supported, fed, hydrated, and moving down the road. There are lots of different Crew jobs, so there's a place for just about everyon

Yes! NCAC offers participation options for people who aren't able to take part in the entire ride. Check out our Event Details and registration information for the current options available for 2027.

No problem! You can participate as a Virtual Cyclist/Fundraiser and support NCAC from wherever you are. You'll have your own fundraising page and can help make a difference even if you can't join us on the road.

Your NCAC 2027 Fundraising Site is hosted by Pledge It and is your home base for fundraising throughout the season.

From your Pledge It fundraising page, you can:

• Share your personal fundraising page with friends, family, and supporters

• Track your fundraising progress

• See donations made to your campaign

• Update your fundraising page

• Find tools and resources to help you reach your goal

Ready to get started?

Visit the NCAC 2027 Fundraising Site on Pledge It: https://charity.pledgeit.org/ncac

If you're already registered for NCAC 2027, this is the place to go to access and manage your fundraising campaign.

For 2027, Cyclists must raise at least $2,000 and Crew Members must raise at least $600.

Your registration fee does not count toward your fundraising minimum.

We've got a whole section dedicated to fundraising, so check out the Fundraising Home Page for tips, tools, deadlines, incentives, and answers to common fundraising questions.

Your fundraising minimum must be met by May 12, 2027.

That's the day of NCAC Check-In, so don't wait until the last minute! Start your fundraising early and give yourself plenty of time to reach your goal.

We get it—asking people for money can feel awkward at first.

Try starting with why you're participating instead of simply asking for a donation. Tell people what NCAC means to you, why you decided to ride or crew, or what you're looking forward to.

A personal story can go a long way. And remember, you're giving people an opportunity to support a cause that makes a difference in our communities.

Easy! Log in to your Pledge It account and select Share on your fundraising page.

You can share it directly to social media or copy your fundraising page link and include it in emails, text messages, social media posts, or wherever you connect with your friends and family.

Tip: Don't just share the link—tell people why you're participating!

Absolutely! A personal donation is a great way to kick off your fundraising campaign and show your supporters that you're invested in the cause, too.

Don't panic—we're here to help!

If you're having trouble reaching your fundraising goal, talk with your Team Captain or contact NCAC. There may be ways we can help you get across the finish line.

If you're a cyclist who hasn't reached the $2,000 minimum by May 12 but has raised at least $600, you may be able to participate as Crew.

Absolutely! Facebook Fundraisers can be another great way to get the word out and encourage your friends and family to support your NCAC fundraising.

When you create a Facebook Fundraiser for NCAC, make sure you select NorCal AIDS Challenge as the benefiting organization. Facebook will send the donations directly to NCAC, and the funds will be credited to your NCAC fundraising account once we receive them.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Facebook donations can take some time to reach NCAC, so don't wait until the last minute if you're counting on those donations to meet your fundraising minimum.

• Facebook may provide donors with a receipt for their donation.

• Donations made through Facebook are subject to Facebook's processing and payout procedures.

• Facebook fundraising totals are credited based on the net amount NCAC receives. Unlike donations made through Pledge It, where the gross donation amount is credited to your fundraising total, we do not include processing fees deducted by Facebook in your NCAC fundraising total.

• Facebook Fundraiser totals will not appear immediately on your Pledge It fundraising page. NCAC has to receive and reconcile the funds before they can be credited to your account.

• If you're close to an incentive deadline or your fundraising minimum, we recommend using your Pledge It fundraising page whenever possible so your donations are credited as quickly as possible.

Already created a Facebook Fundraiser? Great! Keep sharing it, thank your supporters, and let NCAC know if you have questions about getting your Facebook donations credited to your fundraising total.

Important: Facebook Fundraisers are an additional fundraising option—not a replacement for your NCAC Pledge It page. If you're working toward a fundraising deadline, allow extra time for Facebook donations to reach NCAC and be credited to your account.

We like to give you a little extra motivation along the way!

NCAC offers fundraising incentives throughout the year as you reach different fundraising milestones. For 2027, incentives include thermal arm sleeves, a cycling cap, the 2027 jersey or Crew shirt, and an exclusive sweatshirt.

Check out the Incentives page for current milestones, deadlines, and details.

Incentives are based on the fundraising milestones and deadlines listed on the NCAC Incentives page. Your fundraising total must be reflected in your Pledge It account by the applicable deadline.

If you've reached a milestone but don't see your incentive reflected, contact NCAC and we'll be happy to help.

Pledge It will notify you when someone makes a donation to your fundraising page. You can also log in to your Pledge It account to keep track of your fundraising progress.

Want to send your donors a handwritten thank-you note? We love that!

Pledge It does not provide participants with access to or the ability to export donor mailing addresses. However, NCAC can provide mailing addresses for donors who have provided one with their donation.

Just contact us and let us know which donor information you need, and we'll be happy to help.

Please remember that donor information is private and should only be used for purposes related to your NCAC fundraising and thanking your supporters.

Definitely!

A personal thank-you goes a long way. Let your supporters know that you appreciate them helping you reach your goal and supporting the fight to end HIV/AIDS.

A quick text or email is great, but a handwritten note can make an especially nice impression. And don't forget to thank them again after the ride!

Yes! See "Facebook Fundraisers" in the Fundraising section above for step-by-step instructions.

Absolutely. Not everyone likes to donate online!

Cash and check donations can be submitted to NCAC, but they need to be accompanied by the appropriate NCAC Donation Form so we can make sure the donation is properly credited to you.

https://norcalaidscycle.squarespace.com/s/2027-NCAC-Donation-Form.pdf

Unfortunately, donations cannot be transferred from one participant's fundraising account to another.

If someone wants to support a specific participant, make sure they donate directly to that person's fundraising page.

NorCal AIDS Challenge, doing business as NorCal AIDS Cycle/NCAC, is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Contributions are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
EIN 26-4836283

Teams are one of the best parts of NCAC! They're a great way to ride, crew, fundraise, and have fun with friends and family.

Your team page shows the team's combined fundraising total, but each participant is individually responsible for meeting their own fundraising minimum.

Absolutely! You can select a team when you register.

Already registered but want to join a team? No problem! Contact NCAC and let us know which team you'd like to join, and we'll move you to the team of your choice.

Yep! Things change, and that's okay. Contact NCAC and let us know which team you'd like to join. We'll take care of the change for you.

Yes, but there's an important distinction.

A donation made directly to a team helps your team's overall fundraising total, but it does not count toward an individual participant's fundraising minimum.

If someone is specifically trying to help you reach your fundraising goal, make sure they donate directly to your individual fundraising page.

The 2027 NorCal AIDS Cycle is a four-day event running May 13–16, 2027.

Participant Check-In will take place on Wednesday, May 12, 2027.

Check the Event Details page for the latest schedule, locations, route information, and other important updates.

Yes. Check-In is an important part of getting ready for the ride. You'll receive important information, complete required steps, pick up materials, and have an opportunity to ask last-minute questions before we hit the road.

The 2027 ride begins in the Sacramento area and travels through Northern California before returning to Sacramento for our Closing Ceremonies.

Exact locations and route details are available on the Event Details and Route pages and may be updated as plans are finalized.

Early mornings, lots of miles, beautiful scenery, good food, questionable amounts of caffeine, and plenty of laughs!

Cyclists head out in the morning and are supported throughout the day by our amazing Crew. Along the route you'll find stocked Rest Stops, Lunch Stops, SAG support, Medical, Bike Techs, and plenty of encouragement.

Once you make it back to Basecamp, it's time to relax, grab some food, connect with friends, enjoy the evening program, and get some rest before doing it all again the next day.

The mileage varies from day to day. The 2027 ride includes several different routes and distances, with cyclists traveling through some of the beautiful areas of Northern California.

Check the 2027 Event Details and Route pages for the most current mileage and route information.

NCAC provides Rest Stops, Lunch Stops, SAG support, Medical support, and Bike Tech assistance along the route. Our Crew works hard behind the scenes—and on the road—to help keep everyone safe, supported, and moving.

That's okay. Seriously.

Sometimes your body, your bike, or the weather has other plans. Our SAG Crew is there to help cyclists who need a ride back to Basecamp or another designated location.

Your safety comes first. There's no shame in taking a break or getting a ride when you need one.

You don't need a fancy or expensive bike. You do need a bike that's appropriate for the distance and in good working condition.

We strongly recommend having your bike professionally inspected before the ride and keeping up with regular maintenance throughout your training.

Check out our Choosing & Maintaining Your Bike resources for more information.

There are lots of ways to stay in the loop with everything happening around NCAC! Follow us, join the conversation, and keep an eye out for ride updates, fundraising tips, events, photos, and other important announcements.

📘 Facebook
Follow the NorCal AIDS Cycle Facebook Page for official NCAC announcements, event updates, photos, fundraising information, and more.

We also have a NCAC Cyclists & Crew Facebook Group where participants, crew, volunteers, and supporters can connect, ask questions, share fundraising ideas, and get to know your fellow NCACers.

📸 Instagram
Follow NCAC on Instagram for photos, videos, behind-the-scenes moments, participant highlights, and all the fun leading up to Ride.

💬 WhatsApp
Our NCAC WhatsApp community is a great place for quick updates, conversations, reminders, and connecting with other participants and volunteers.

Yep! Linktree is your one-stop shop for NCAC's important links. You'll find our social media accounts, fundraising resources, website pages, registration, and other frequently used links all in one place.

Bookmark it. Save it. Share it. It's a handy resource throughout the season!

Each platform has a slightly different purpose:

• Facebook Page: Official NCAC news, announcements, and updates

• Facebook Group: Participant conversation, questions, ideas, and community

• Instagram: Photos, videos, stories, and NCAC moments

• WhatsApp: Quick communication and community conversations

• Linktree: Your shortcut to all of NCAC's important links

Not sure where to find something? Start with our Linktree!

Yes! Local businesses can be great supporters of NCAC.

If you know a business that might want to get involved, we'd love to hear from you. Contact NCAC and we can help you figure out the best way for the business to support your fundraising.

This is the part that makes all those fundraising asks worthwhile!

Your fundraising helps support organizations serving people affected by HIV/AIDS throughout Sacramento and Northern California. Funding helps provide things like housing, food, transportation, utilities, HIV/HCV testing, prevention and treatment, and other essential services.

NCAC grants are unrestricted, giving our beneficiary organizations the flexibility to use the money where it's needed most.