The end of The SMART Ride (SR) doesn’t mean the end of the community that’s formed over the course of 20 rides. Thousands of riders, crew, and volunteers work every year to raise a million dollars for HIV service organizations in Florida.
As OutSFL first reported, the SR will end after this November’s 165-mile ride from Miami to Key West. But one of those teams refuses to ride off into the sunset.
The Key West Mile Markers (KWMMs) is becoming its own fundraising organization. Led by longtime rider Donald Gene Dotzauer, the team has filed articles of incorporation to become Key West Mile Markers Inc. Dotzauer made the announcement on the team’s Facebook page.
Part of the mission is “to provide the local community through a committed group of Key West and Lower Keys bicyclists using their physical talents to raise funds in order to assist the community with help in facing daily challenges relating to their health, safety, welfare, and housing needs through grants and donations from charitable fundraising efforts.”
One of the reasons the SR board decided to end the ride is because they believe organizations can raise money on their own without being under the SMART Ride umbrella. KWMMs have responded to the challenge.
They are currently the top fundraising team for this year, with more than $87,000 raised so far, nearly double that of the next closest team. Dotzauer himself expects to raise $50,000 this year and cross the $300,000 mark lifetime.
The SR has raised nearly $15M over the first 19 rides, averaging about $1M over the past few years. For the final ride, they are doubling the goal to $2M.
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