2026 Pedal for Pride

When I started at PwC, Ryanne was one of the people who helped welcome me into the firm. She facilitated my new-hire training, and I quickly got to know her beyond those first few days of starting a new job. A few months later, in 2022, Ryanne reached out and asked if I would join her for AIDS/LifeCycle—a 545-mile bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles benefiting the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the Los Angeles LGBT Center.

At the time, I had no idea how much saying “yes” would change my life.

That first ride was an experience I will never forget. Seven days on a bike, surrounded by thousands of people coming together for a cause much bigger than themselves, was incredibly powerful. The people I met, the stories I heard, and the communities we rode through gave me a completely different perspective on what it means to show up for other people.

Even more meaningful, my dad joined me on this journey. What started as something I was introduced to through Ryanne became something my dad and I could experience together. We rode AIDS/LifeCycle together year after year, sharing the miles, the challenges, the early mornings, and all of the moments that made the ride so special.

What started as a single ride quickly became something I looked forward to every year. I returned for four more years, riding AIDS/LifeCycle through its final ride in 2025. Over those five years, the ride became a meaningful part of my life and introduced me to friendships, experiences, and a community that I will carry with me for years to come.

When AIDS/LifeCycle came to an end in 2025, I wasn't sure what would come next. Then Ryanne reached out again and asked if I would be interested in helping develop and scale a ride closer to home.

That conversation ultimately led me to Pedal for Pride.

This year, seven of us—including my dad and me—will be riding together for five days, traveling from Traverse City to Ferndale, Michigan, to raise money for Affirmations Community Center and the vital work they do to support and strengthen the LGBTQ+ community.

For me, this ride is about much more than cycling. It's about continuing something that has had a profound impact on my life, sharing it with my dad, and helping bring that same spirit of community, connection, and support closer to home.

I'm incredibly excited to be part of Pedal for Pride and to continue this journey alongside my dad and our fellow riders. I'm asking for your support as we take on this challenge. Every donation helps Affirmations continue providing resources, programs, and a safe and supportive community for people who need it.

Thank you for supporting me, supporting our team, and most importantly, supporting the community we're riding for.