WATSONVILLE — A Redondo Beach man known as the Chicken Lady has spent a good portion of the past two decades traversing the U.S. on his bicycle, all in an effort to raise money for AIDS research and support those with HIV.
Also known as Ken Thomason, the 62-year-old passed through Watsonville Monday, one of 2,200 riders participating in the AIDS/LifeCycle, a 545-mile fundraising bicycle ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles. He has ridden in all but one of the events, which is now in its 16th year.
Thomason said he got his moniker for the small, stuffed chicken that rides atop his bicycle helmet. That was a present from a friend who has since died of complications from AIDS. He has logged thousands of miles on 10 rides in 17 states.
Thomason said he does the rides for the financial support they bring to AIDS and HIV organizations.
“I’m having lunch with friends who are alive because of what we do here,” he said.
Thomason’s ensemble included a striped, pink skirt and black-and-silver sparkled stretch pants, an outfit that was by no means the most extravagant of the bunch.
Other riders donned frilly tutus for the ride, while others tucked wigs in several shades of neon-colored splendor under their helmets.
For years, San Francisco resident Art Desuyo and his husband donated to nonprofit organizations such as San Francisco AIDS Foundation.
Desuyo said the contributions helped the group in its mission of supporting people with the disease, and of eliminating transmission rates of the virus that causes it.
Four years ago, Desuyo said he wanted to step up his game.
“I thought it was high time I joined,” he said.
At first, Desuyo said he was unsure whether he could raise the $3,000 minimum contribution to participate in the ride. But he fulfilled that goal three days after reaching out to his friends and family for donations. Just two days after that, he had raised $5,000.
In the end, he had raised $25,000.
“I couldn’t believe the outpouring of love,” he said.
Since he began participating, Desuyo has raised $145,000.
“I still think that’s not enough for me,” he said.
Desuyo said that, in addition to raising money, he also wants to help bring an end to the stigma that too often comes from an HIV diagnosis. He spoke tearfully of an HIV-positive friend who is receiving financial housing assistance through the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, but who never told anyone for fear that someone would find out.
“People still think AIDS is a gay disease, and that’s why I ride,” he said.
That is also the mission of the “Positive Pedalers,” a group of HIV-positive riders who say they want to “de-stigmatize” HIV and AIDS by going public with their stories.
One of those riders is Esther Kim, a 43-year-old Los Angeles resident who was in her fifth ride.
When she was first diagnosed, Kim said she was beset with depression.
“I did nothing,” she said. “I closed up and I was wanting to die. But I realized I wasn’t going to die, and that I needed a better life.”
Kim said her message is that there is a strong network of people ready to lend a hand.
“In the early years when I was first diagnosed I didn’t have anyone to support me,” she said. “I want people in that situation to know that they are not alone.”
The ride began Sunday in Daly City, and will end at San Buenaventura State Beach in Ventura on Saturday. The riders are supported by a team of 675 “Roadies” who among other things cook, set up camps, clean up, perform first aid and maintain bicycles.
“It feels amazing, and I feel fully supported,” Kim said. “For that one week, it’s the best of humanity.”
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For information, visit www.aidslifecycle.org.
