The SMART Ride’s two-day 165-mile bike race from Miami to Key West may have been canceled, but the fundraising never stopped. This year’s event raised over $700,000.  

That number, while dramatically less than last year’s $1.4 million, is still seen as quite an achievement considering the challenges. The organization had hoped to raise $500,000, so they beat their goal.

“We had to reimagine everything, the need to provide the agencies we benefit and ultimately the individuals needing services remained great, NOT doing an event was out of the question,” SMART Ride Founder Glen Weinzimer said in a press release.

This year riders were asked to still participate but in a socially distanced way. A few riders still did the Miami to Key West by themselves, while some participants chose to do stationary biking and others spent the weekend cleaning the beach for 165 minutes.

According to a press release the organization is hoping the 2021 event will go on as planned on November 19 and 20.

Beneficiaries this year included Miracle of Love; Metro Wellness & Community Centers; Compass; Broward House; Pridelines; and AIDS Help.

The Smart Ride is the largest HIV/AIDS ride in the eastern U.S. and the second-largest in the country. Since its inception in 2003 it has raised more than $12 million.  

Visit The SMART Ride website www.thesmartride.org for more information.