Thank you Marti and Steve Scruggs for being the first to donate every year 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 AND 2021. I appreciate all those who supported ALC on behalf of my participation -- with a total of $251,988 raised, we are in the Top 10 Fundraisers for 2014, 2015, and 2016, and Top 10 Northern California Fundraisers for 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.

After TogetheRide 2021, we're back for AIDS/LifeCycle 2022 to raise much needed funds because ...

We ride for those who can't
We ride for those who live
We ride for those who give
And most of all,
We ride for those who can't live if we don't give

John and I will, again, self-fund the minimum $3k requirement to ride (through our donations and matches) so that 100% of your support on behalf of my participation will go to the Los Angeles LGBT Center (LALGBT Center) and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation (SFAF).

I hope you'll join me in my continued effort in fundraising to #EndHIVAIDS.

Donations to AIDS/LifeCycle are deductible for income tax purposes, to the extent permitted by law. 

Since 1969 the Los Angeles LGBT Center has cared for, championed, and celebrated LGBT individuals and families in Los Angeles and beyond. Today the Center's more than 600 employees provide services for more LGBT people than any other organization in the world, offering programs, services, and global advocacy that span four broad categories: Health, Social Services and Housing, Culture and Education, Leadership and Advocacy.

The SFAF works to end the HIV epidemic in the city where it began, and eventually everywhere. Established in 1982, our mission is the radical reduction of new infections in San Francisco because we refuse to accept HIV as inevitable. Through education, advocacy, and free local services for prevention and care, SFAF confronts HIV in neighborhoods most impacted by the disease and gives a powerful voice to all people living with the disease nationwide.

How does your participation help people living outside of California?

The programs and services offered through the Los Angeles LGBT Center and San Francisco AIDS Foundation serve as models of care and prevention around the world. Members of both agencies work with organizations in several countries to share best practices to end the global AIDS epidemic.

You are supporting people across the nation and globe in four incredible ways (https://www.aidslifecycle.org/why-we-ride/the-beneficiaries/global-impact/):

Informing
Treating
Advocating
Researching 

How does your donation help at the Los Angeles LGBT Center?

• $50,000 underwrites the cost of comprehensive HIV wraparound services by a case management team for 3 months for 135 patients
• $35,000 funds an HIV Counselor for 1,200 clients per year
• $25,000 covers 5 months of mental health therapy for 28 patients
• $15,000 provides comprehensive sexual health services, including HIV and STD tests, treatment, education, and counseling to 100 clients
• $10,000 covers 3 months of psychosocial case management for 300 patients
• $7,500 provides a nurse for one month to administer STD screening and treatments for 400 clients
• $5,000 covers a full year of laboratory testing for 11 patients
• $1,000 covers a full year of medical supply costs for 40 patients
• $1,000 funds one client receiving Post Exposure Prophylaxis
• $250 provides Rapid HIV Antibody tests to 20 clients
• $180 provides HIV prevention counseling sessions to 20 teenagers
• $150 provides comprehensive HIV/STD testing to 1 client
• $30 covers the treatment medication for 1 client infected with an STD
• $10 buys 114 condoms that the Health Education and Prevention Program will distribute

How does your donation help at SFAF?

• $50,000 helps a substance use counselor see 40 clients a year for harm reduction counseling.
• $25,000 funds a half-time peer advocate see 50 clients for a year.
• $15,000 helps 120 Magnet clients receive sexual health services, including HIV and STD tests.
• $10,000 provides substance use counseling services for more than 250 clients in one month.
• $7,500 provides a nurse to administer STI screenings and treatments to 100 clients.
• $5,000 funds our mobile testing unit for one year so that 2,400 gay, bi and trans men can be tested.
• $2,500 helps four HIV-positive people receive safe and stable housing situations for one month.
• $1,000 provides two Positive Force community forums where 150 men can learn more about HIV.
• $500 helps 15 people receive medical benefits counseling to obtain prescription drug assistance.
• $250 provides ten Rapid HIV Antibody test to test ten people at Magnet, and other foundation sites.
• $175 provides case management for 15 HIV-positive clients who are marginally housed.
• $150 provides 1,000 syringes through the street-based Syringe Access Service.
• $100 provides the travel cost for a Treatment Advocacy Coordinator to attend the medical appointments of 25 clients.
• $25 helps a Financial Benefits counselor assist one person in navigating benefits systems.
• $10 can help provide 143 condoms to our clients at all of our service sites.

We ride for our community. We ride for those who cannot. We ride and roadie to end a stigma that cripples our friends and loved ones. We ride and roadie to bring awareness and remind everyone that HIV/AIDS is still with us and we must still fight. We ride and roadie together so that one day we can say that HIV/AIDS is a thing of the past. We ride and roadie for something greater than ourselves.

I appreciate your support.

Art Desuyo ALC Rider #2870

93 Days Left Until The Ride - Love from Bill and Eileen

Thank you Eileen for being the courageous one out of the four of us (three men and one woman) to break the ice - the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

#loveandsupport from and Bill Grubb and Eileen Bridget Grubb for their yearly support to AIDS/LifeCycle (ALC) on behalf of my participation. So many benefit from your generous donations every year.

And for my friends and family who’d like to join us reach our modest attainable $25k goal, please go the donation link: http://www.tofighthiv.org/goto/artdesuyo

In less than 93 days, ALC rides out from the Cow Palace in #SanFrancisco to #LosAngeles for 7 days and over 545 miles to help #EndHivAids.

We are all committed to help end HIV/AIDS. I will continue to raise funds for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the Los Angeles LGBT Center to combat this disease until we reach the day that no one has to anymore.

You are our #Heroes #RideLoveLive #TakeCareOfEachOther and we think about why we give, roadie, and ride:

• for those who can't
• for those who live
• for those who give
• and most of all, for those who can't live if we don't give.

#PositivePedalers #EndingStigma will #RideLoveLive until HIV/AIDS is a thing of the past #givingbacktothecommunity #cyclinglife #volunteer #sanfranciscoaidsfoundation #losangeleslgbtcenter #aidslifecycle

The first donation for 2020

Love and support from Patti Kimball. Thank you, Patti for being the first to donate in 2020 to AIDS/LifeCycle on behalf of my participation. So many benefit from your generous donations every year.

And for my friends and family who’d like to join us reach our modest attainable $25k goal, please go to the donation link: http://www.tofighthiv.org/goto/artdesuyo

In less than 117 days, we ride out from the Cow Palace in #SanFrancisco to #LosAngeles for 7 days and over 545 miles to help #EndHivAids.

We are all committed to help end HIV/AIDS. I will continue to raise funds for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the Los Angeles LGBT Center to combat this disease until we reach the day that no one has to anymore.

You are our #Heroes #RideLoveLive #TakeCareOfEachOther and we think about why we give, roadie, and ride.

• for those who can't
• for those who live
• for those who give
• and most of all, for those who can't live if we don't give.

#PositivePedalers #EndingStigma will #RideLoveLive until HIV/AIDS is a thing of the past #givingbacktothecommunity #cyclinglife #volunteer #sanfranciscoaidsfoundation #losangeleslgbtcenter #aidslifecycle

Early Holiday Celebrations

Yes, the holidays are here and many of us are fortunate to celebrate with friends and family. We know the struggles that many are experiencing and I am happy that we find our ways of giving back to the community. One way for me is supporting the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the Los Angeles LGBT Center through AIDS/LifeCycle (ALC).

Since ALC 2019 wrapped up this past June with another 545 miles under our spandex, I've been on my bicycle for only 10 miles. What a drastic change for me since 2014. ALC 2020 will mark my seventh year raising funds for ALC to help the two foundations provide free or low cost access to quality, culturally competent care for those who need it most.

I plan to take a break from cycling for ALC 2020, but I find it hard not to ask folks to donate to an important cause. And, with that thanks to those who have already contributed, we're at $1,522.

Thank you Marti and Steve Scruggs for being the first to donate every year 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, AND 2020. I appreciate all those who supported ALC on behalf of my participation -- with a total of $217,400 raised, we are in the Top 10 Fundraisers for 2014, 2015, and 2016, and Top 10 Northern California Fundraisers for 2017, 2018, and 2019.

Thank You with Paella and Sisg

2019 ALC Day 7 Ventura to Los Angeles

And on the final Seventh Day - Ventura to Los Angeles

Awake at 4:00 a.m. and excited to get to Los Angeles so I could cross the finish line and see John. This was his first time to be in Los Angeles for AIDS/LifeCycle ride-in.

I can’t believe we’re at the final day, but at the same time, I was ready to give my body a break from long-distance cycling. I thank, Deyon, so much for helping me with my first princessing experience. That’s staying at hotels vs. camping. She took me under her wing for the entire week. Since I had injured my back last year, I decided being a princess would be better for me physically. Did you see how much fresher and lively Alysse was throughout the day even though she hurt MY feet? I may have already shared with you that she hurt MY feet, but I’m glad she got to experience another Red Dress Day even though she hurt My feet.

Today, many were sad the 7 days were already coming to an end. The love bubble is real and palpable. I met Pepper who is a 24-year rider. He started riding when he learned that his brother was living with HIV. Pepper promised his brother that he would ride as long as he could and the fight to end HIV/AIDS continued. His brother died 11 years ago. When he shares his story, he gives red beads with a pepper and says, “You just got peppered!” I believe his way of making the situation upbeat.

Eat quick. Get out to bike parking for the 6:00am route opening. When I got to my bike, I noticed that the Chicken Lady (a.k.a Ken) left her love on every Rider's seat. She did have help from what I call Chickadees. The Chicken Lady always sprinkles so much wonderfulness throughout the ride. Each egg had a treat and words of wisdom.

It’s all a blur and frenzied for those who want to be out on the road quickly. I share with you the words of wisdom of Tracy Evans, ALC Ride Director, “Calm the F - - - (all caps, mind you) down!”

It’s a ride, not a race, but riding in the front of the pack is nice (remember splash of blue water). I rode most of the morning with Deyon and met Justin at the lunch stop, Will Rogers State Beach, which is almost 25 miles after RS2.

I was quite surprised to cycle along Pacific Coast Highway with very little traffic, which made seeing the waves, the scenery, and the surfers all the more enjoyable.

Justin and I were ready to cycle to Los Angeles for the finish at Fairfax High School. The ride from the coast to Santa Monica Boulevard is fantastic and then we deal with L.A. traffic. But with the help of local police, they did direct traffic in some spots.

Since L.A. Pride is happening this weekend, we had the chance to feel more love while cycling through West Hollywood before the finish line at Fairfax High School.

RIDE SAFE. BE SAFE.

For my sixth AIDS/LifeCycle, thank you to family and friends who have helped each year to make a difference in helping end HIV/AIDS.

All-in-all another wonderful, contemplative seven-day journey filled with laughter, joy, tears and friendships.

When I rode into West Hollywood amidst the cheering, the tears started flowing …

tears of joy
tears of accomplishment
tears of loss
tears of a wonderful future

While I finish this last entry for AIDS/LifeCycle 2019, for my family and friends who have lost a loved one to HIV/AIDS, I dedicate the past 7 days in memory of ...

Ray Bitanga
Donald Brown
Cesar Casado
Bruce Christensen
Kevin Cortez
Bert Estillo
Skyler Foxx
Emili Galeazzi
Gary Geibel
Whoa Gerry
Dennis Gould
Carl Greene
Carl Greene
Ramon Hodel
Larry Hunter
Toshi Irizawa
Doug Kimball
Matthew Langley
Robert Mashburn
Michael Messerschmitt
Robert Mitchell
Patrick O’Malley
Sonny Padilla
Ed Peterson
Bobby Purcell
Reynaldo Ramirez
Alex Reyes
Daniel Roberts
Mike Sieczkarek
Johnny Simon
Douglas Yaranon
Tony Yuen



#aidslifecycle #PositivePedalers #EndingStigma will #RideLoveLive until HIV/AIDS is a thing of the past #givingbacktothecommunity #cyclinglife #volunteer #sanfranciscoaidsfoundation #losangeleslgbtcenter

2019 ALC Day 6 Lompoc to Ventura

For Day 6 from Lompoc to Ventura, Deyon, Chris, and I were at bike parking at 5:45, waiting to get our bikes when they opened at 6am, so that we could be in line for the 6:30am ride out. Were we a little anxious? Only a tiny bit. Steve Was also in line with us. The reason being, we wanted to be in and out of RS1, mile 16.4, early and without a crowd. We preferred that we get over and through Gaviota Pass with as few riders as possible, a dangerous stretch of US-101 connecting Lompoc with the Pacific Ocean. Thankfully, we were met with headwinds that slowed my decent to 37.8 mph.

When we got to the coast we were met with overcast, gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean. By the time I arrived to RS2, the sun was out. I saw Justin, who exclaimed how great the descent was down the pass.

We did learn tonight that all 2,300 riders got through Gaviota Pass without any problems. Whew!

At RS2, a Vista Point, at mile 27.7, we had time to rest and take pictures because the route from this point opened at 9am. At this rest stop, we were being held and released in batches since the CHP were wonderful in closing one of the two lanes southbound to accommodate us for at least 5 miles until it was safe to ride on the shoulder.

Onwards to mile 44.4 for a short lunch at Girsh Park.

Riding to mile 57.8 RS3 Leadbetter Beach is spectacular, and Georg Lester set up at the top of the hill right before RS3 for professional pictures. Thank you, Georg, for your great work, I can’t wait to see them. And after RS3, with their circus motif, our next stop is Paradise Pit with ICE CREAM!!!!!!! Justin and I stopped and had ice cream, cookies, and fresh fruit. My first ride in 2014, I met Rod Lathim who had been hosting this great stop for 15 years to continue supporting ALC after he stopped cycling for ALC. 2014 was the last year he would host. In 2014, when I thanked him for his continued support, he asked me how many times I've cycled and how I was doing. I couldn't answer and all he could do was hug me through my tears.

After sugar, sugar, and sugar, I cycled to RS4, mile 79.2. I danced just a bit, not the 2 hours as in last rides. I could have danced, danced, danced … all afternoon, but camp was waiting.

Cycling into Ventura was quite emotional, which caught me by surprise. The love and support I felt from the community overwhelmed me. A group of at least 20 people were cheering us riders at one of the entrances into the town, and a spattering of other groups until we got to camp. I broke down, just a tiny bit.

Say good night, Art!



#aidslifecycle #PositivePedalers #EndingStigma will #RideLoveLive until HIV/AIDS is a thing of the past #givingbacktothecommunity #cyclinglife #volunteer #sanfranciscoaidsfoundation #losangeleslgbtcenter