How does it feel to ride a bicycle 165 miles from Miami to Key West with a good cause in mind? In just a couple of weeks’ time, between 400-500 riders will find out. The SMART Ride — Southern Most AIDS/HIV Ride — “was born out of a dream to make a real and significant difference in the lives of those infected, affected and at risk for HIV/AIDS,” their website explains. For its 15th consecutive year, riders travel from across the United States (some from as far as Hawaii) to join in raising both funds and awareness for the epidemic that affects nearly 140,000 here in Florida and more than 1 million nationwide. The SMART Ride is unique in that it is the only AIDS bike ride of its size to give 100% of funds raised back to AIDS service organizations. The second biggest AIDS bike ride overall in the United States, the SMART Ride has raised more than $9.3 million since 2002.
I recently had the opportunity to speak with Jim Nixon, Marketing Manager at Metro Wellness and Community Centers and LGBT Liaison to the City of St. Petersburg. Nixon is participating in the SMART Ride for the first time this year; he has been training since April for the 165-mile trek. When my jaw drops at the hours Nixon logs for training on his bike each week — 53 miles on a recent long ride — Jim only chuckles. I ask if he is nervous, to which he points out, “Yes, of course. Anytime you set a monumental goal of riding 165 miles, you think about the obstacles to overcome. Sitting on a banana seat for 165 miles is difficult. People say ‘it’s difficult enough to drive that distance, let alone ride it’ and they are right.”
Nixon recently suffered a tear in his thigh muscle and groin, and needed to sit out a month and a half of training. It is all part of the experience, though, and the experience is one Jim Nixon deems worthy of blood, sweat and groin tears.
Nixon has lost two partners to HIV/AIDS since 1988. Not normally one to talk about how HIV/AIDS has affected him personally, Jim opens up a bit to describe how heavy an impact HIV/AIDS has had on his life. The SMART Ride is full of riders like Jim who have lost partners, friends and loved ones to HIV/AIDS. Awareness of HIV — especially in the LGBT community — is Nixon’s primary interest.
Raising funds along with that awareness is equally important. Each SMART Rider is expected to raise money to donate to AIDS Service Organizations; Nixon has set his own personal goal of raising $5,000.
Nixon refers to his donors as his “warriors,” and for good reason. With 2019 federal budget cuts of over $1 billion in global HIV funding, it is absolutely necessary — now more than ever — to raise funds for local services. SMART Riders like Nixon understand this and face the challenge head-on.
“You must know your status,” he says. “We have seen increases in Pinellas County of exposure to HIV in recent years. We still have a message to get out there, that there are options. Protect yourself. Play safe. If you test negative, do PrEP so that someday we can have an end to this. In the early ages of HIV it was very well-known as a death sentence without access to medicines and medical care that would prolong your life. Today because of advances in medicine, HIV doesn’t necessarily mean a death sentence. You’re able to maintain a healthy lifestyle, adopt a medical regimen with medication to prevent the damaging side effects of HIV.”
Nixon has spoken with many past SMART Riders who say the 165-mile trek is not just a physical experience; it’s emotional.
“It can be emotional especially for those who have been impacted by HIV. Emotional to accomplish the ride in itself, emotional to ride into Key West. There are lots of people who did not think they would be alive today to do the ride.” The 165-mile mark is on Duval Street in Key West, where a parade will gather to celebrate. Key West — a mecca in the gay community — is the perfect location to end the poignant expedition.
Nixon’s family is flying down to Key West from North Carolina to cheer him on and celebrate as he crosses the finish line. Those who wish to support Jim and the hundreds other riders from afar can visit thesmartride.org.
Jim Nixon and I share a favorite quote, one the SMART Ride organizers embrace and display on their website: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead would be proud to know Jim Nixon and a large team of other riders are playing SMART and taking her words to heart. In a time when HIV exposure is increasing and federal funds are being cut, the SMART Ride is — as Nixon says — “a story that needs to be told. There are grassroots campaigns that are making a difference in our state and in our society.”
To learn more about Jim’s journey and make a donation, visit his participant page at thesmartride.org. Jim is rider #226.
This article appears in Nov 15-22, 2018.