KEY WEST, Fla. -

More than 500 participants will span 165 miles over two days as the SMART Ride 7 prepares to hit the road Nov.

18-20. The Southern Most AIDS/HIV Ride has raised more than $2.2 million for charity since it began in 2003, and 100 percent of the proceeds from the event go directly to HIV/AIDS charities.

Riders, who range in age from 18 to 73, come from all across the country to take part in the ride, which begins in Miami and ends in Key West. An estimated 19 percent of the riders are positive; 50 percent know someone living with HIV/AIDS; and 36 percent have lost someone to HIV/AIDS.