In only its second year, The Joy Ride is experiencing sudden and unexpected change, and it’s part of the fallout from Edward Summers’ sudden departure from Pridelines.
The executive director of Pridelines, and all five benefiting agencies, have a seat on the board of FAB Adventures, the ride’s producers. While Tom Manning is the President and the point person for the organization, Summers was listed as the “registered agent” on Sunbiz, Florida’s business tracking website. Pridelines’ Miami address is listed as the group’s principal address.
Summers will be replaced by Michael Riordan, Pridelines’ interim executive director. Riordan was a fixture with fellow beneficiary Compass. She abruptly left the organization earlier this year.
“We’re in a season of change at the moment,” Manning told OutSFL. “I look forward to what changes come about. Change is always good.”
Like its predecessor, The Joy Ride benefits organizations that deal with HIV issues. In addition to Pridelines and Compass, participating agencies are Miracle of Love, Broward House and Empath Epic.
While a representative from each group gets a seat on FAB’s board, Manning says no single organization is in charge.
“We are not reliant on any of the other agencies. We are independent and are a freestanding organization.”
Rerouted
The Joy Ride debuted last year, essentially mimicking the SMART Ride, which folded after 20 years. The benefitting agencies came together to fill the financial void. The ride was a two-day bike trip from Miami to Key West. This year the route is Orlando to Tampa.
The tectonic shift creates myriad logistical challenges, including new overnight accommodations, places for pit stops, dealing with a new set of security organizations creating awareness among riders, crew and more.
It’s a lot of change for the nascent ride, but Manning says planning is going well. At its end, The SMART Ride was raising more than one million dollars a year, which was split between the agencies.
While the inaugural ride helped keep the tradition alive, fundraising was down. At the time, OutSFL noted that just completing a massive feat with just a year of preparation was a success in and of itself.
