The 2014 Ride For AIDS Chicago is expecting 330 riders for the two-day, 200-mile bicycle ride, including more than 100 first-time riders.
There also are more than 110 crew members aiding the event.
Combined, the group has raised about $680,000.
The 11th annual Ride, produced and supporting the Test Positive Aware Network ( TPAN ), is July 12-13.
"The highlight of this year's event is going to be camp," after the first 100 miles, said Richard Cordova, TPAN's director of athletic events, now involved in his seventh Ride. "We've got a lot of fun activities planned for camp this year. The riders and crew are going to excited when they see what we have waiting for them."
And when the entourage hits the finish line in Evanston, emotions will be high, tears no doubt will be flowing.
"Seeing the riders crossing the finish line is always an emotional experience for me. Seeing their faces when you place the medal across their neck always brings a smile to my face," said Cordova, 36, one of several openly HIV-positive participants in the annual fundraiser.
Riders can wear an orange bandana to signify they are HIV-positive, a Ride tradition started a few years ago. There also will be orange bike flags this year. "I think we'll see at least 15 or more riders and crew wearing the bandanas/flags," Cordova said.
George Titterton, 54, who lives in Andersonville, is riding in his second Rideand is the top fundraiser, having already raised more than $10,000.
Patty Dahlquist, who lives in Edgewater and has raised more than $2,000, is one of the top first-time riders. "She's energetic, fun, and passionate about the cause," Cordova said. "She posts a daily, positive affirmation on Facebook, which I always enjoy reading. Meeting her in person you realize that she's as positive as her Facebook posts."
Though the Ride has a long-term goal of raising $1 million, Cordova said it likely will not happen this year, but "it will happen [eventually]," he said.