One week from today I’ll be somewhere between San Francisco and Santa Cruz on the first leg of a seven-day bike ride to Los Angeles.
And I’m about $400 shy of my goal.
I earned my “ticket to ride” months ago, so my ability to participate in the ride is assured. That last $400 is really just for the glory of it.
Actually, it’s not really for me. Sure, I get a cool bike jersey if I raise more than $5000. But the real reason to donate to this cause is because donations go to support the SF AIDS Foundation and the LA LGBT Center.
The SF AIDS Foundation has for decades been providing life-saving services to those impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. As a non-profit organization, in addition to donations, they are also supported by public funding programs and partner with government public heath services. A certain pair of horrible people — let’s call them Mrump and Tusk — have been busy these past few months making things more “efficient” by firing people and stripping those agencies of funding that literally saves lives.
So this year, more than ever, for those of us with means, it’s important to leverage that privilege in support of organizations and programs that support the most vulnerable — queer folks, people of color, trans people — the folks most likely to suffer the effects of the whims of those immoral people in Washington.
The map up above is some, but not all, of the training I’ve been doing to get ready for this year’s ride. The actual route this year — from the Cow Palace in San Francisco to the beach at Santa Monica — is actually a little more than the usual 545 miles. It’s needed to be rerouted at the end because of the fires earlier this year that devastated Pacific Palisades. Nevertheless, I’m going to do the best I can to get myself down there in one piece. And, once again, I am asking for your support!
Thanks y’all.
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