Timothy Hart and The 2020 SMART Ride

By Denny Patterson

On November 20-22, 2020, almost 700 people “I personally rode north on A1A with a small group. 60 participated in the 17th annual SMART Ride miles on day one, 60 miles on day two, and 45 miles charity event, the nation’s second largest AIDS on day three. Our team was R3 Accounting. We were a bike ride. small team and raised close to $12,000. We are super Founded in 2003, The SMART Ride is a two-day, 165mile biking journey from Miami to Key West. 100% of Currently, $635,000 has been accounted for, but more the money raised is guaranteed to be given back to the is expected to come in. The goal is to reach $700,000. beneficiary organizations so they may provide services at no cost to individuals in need. Over $12.4 million has The SMART Ride participants come from across the state been raised since The SMART Ride’s inception. of Florida, including Key West, Jacksonville, Tampa, and This year was R3 Accounting’s CEO Timothy Hart’s sixth close as Georgia. This event attracts between 400-500 time participating. “First, I love participating because I participants and ranges in age from 18-73. have a passion for HIV/AIDS causes, and The SMART Ride identifies with that,” he said. “Second, I love the fact Hart says there is no experience like participating in The that they give back 100% of everything that is raised SMART Ride. and every single one of the benefiting agencies do great mile journey. The tagline for this year was, “How do you safe when we ride and train together.” Palm Beach. Some have come from far as Hawaii to as work. They deserve our effort.” Primary reasons why one participates in The SMART Ride is because they are HIV+, they know someone who The beneficiaries this year include Broward House, Metro is living with HIV/AIDS, have lost someone to HIV/AIDS, Inclusive Health, Pridelines, AIDS Help (AH), Miracle of or they believe this event is beneficial. Hart believes Love Inc., and Compass Community Center. The SMART Ride is a beneficial charity event. “I think However, due to COVID-19, The 2020 SMART Ride was is meaningful money. It makes a difference to those Re-Imagined. Instead of biking, participants could ride, particular agencies. This is an incredible event that swim, run, jog, walk, kayak – choosing their own 165- does a world of good.” the money these agencies get from The SMART Ride 165?” Although The SMART Ride 2020 looked differently, Hart still feels a sense of accomplishment. He is already “The ride was totally re-imagined and done virtually, so registered for The SMART Ride 2021, which will take you did not necessarily need to ride a bike,” Hart said. place November 19-20, 2021.