When The SMART Ride announced that 2023 would be the last ride, no one was ready to hang up their helmets or put the tire pumps away. Directors at the six main benefitting agencies vowed to find a way to ride on.
They announced the creation of The Joy Ride, with the inaugural theme of “the joy continues!”
Much of it will resemble its progenitor. It will still be a 165-mile, two-day bike ride from Miami to Key West. It will still be the weekend before Thanksgiving. Most importantly, it will continue giving back 100% of every dollar raised by riders and crew. Indeed, Glen Weinzimer founded The SMART Ride out of frustration that many events returned very little to the organizations it purported to help.
Compass, Broward House, Miracle of Love, and EPIC Health, all former SMART Ride beneficiaries, are collaborating on the project.
“We always knew there would be a ride,” Edward Summers, Executive Director at Pridelines, said. “We had to figure out what it’s gonna look like.”
AH Monroe, another SMART Ride beneficiary, will “play a logistics role” and support the ride. In February, AH Monroe announced they would go their own way, and discussed having their own, one day ride, the same weekend as SMART Ride. Summers says any rumors of “bad blood” are unfounded.
“There was no bad blood between us at all. We have been totally united. AH Monroe has their own things happening, but are very supportive of this ride and endorsing it.”
While the SMART Ride is officially over, Summers says Weinzimer is being very supportive of the new collaboration. An email from SMART Ride was sent out heralding the announcement.
While Weinzimer didn’t comment for this story, Summers says the former SMART Ride officials on board. “Glen is very supportive of what we do. This is exactly what he wanted us to do.”
Jana Jaffe of Broward House summed up the mood best, saying, “Let’s ride and let the joy continue.”
Registration for The Joy Ride opens April 15 at thejoyridefl.org.
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