A Reason To Ride

Support community arts and cycling at the second annual Ride For The Arts.

It all started with Paula King, a founding chairman of the Marion Cultural Alliance (MCA) board.

After hearing her family talk frequently about cycling and watching them get into it, she realized cycling is a popular activity for many in this community. When she thought about her friend Mary Verrandeaux, an accomplished cyclist and professional artist, Paula came up with the idea for the MCA Ride For The Arts.

“We were looking for a new fundraiser,” Paula says. “I thought it would really be a fun thing.”

› By Cealia Athanason / Photos by Tammy Portrait Artist

When Paula shared the idea with Mary, she was all for it.

“I felt like this was right up my alley, being an avid cyclist and passionate about promoting the arts in Ocala,” says Mary.

To make it happen, Paula put together a budget and recruited several volunteers. In just a few short months, they pulled off the first Ride For The Arts last year. The impressive turnout put the event on the MCA board’s calendar for the next two years. This year, organizers anticipate an even bigger crowd.

“We are looking for a 150 percent increase in rider participation for this year,” says Mary, who’s responsible for all of the event’s graphic design work and for determining the ride distances and route.

And this isn’t just any ride. Cyclists of all skill levels, art enthusiasts and people from the community can all participate for reasons bigger than the ride itself.

“It benefits the community by helping MCA expand itself in its support of the arts. The board is extremely excited and supportive,” says Paula. In total, MCA has given away almost $1 million in support of community arts.

The ride will begin in front of Brick City Center for the Arts in downtown Ocala, and the two ride lengths—68 miles and 38 miles— will take cyclists through horse country on a route that’s completely different from the routes of other charity rides in this area.

“It is primarily a fundraiser for MCA’s Endowment for the Arts, which awards grants every year to different cultural organizations in Marion County. Secondarily, the ride is to promote the love of cycling, which is a needed healthy passion for so many of us in Florida,” Mary says. “It’s a healthy lifestyle we want to promote.”

Tammy Griffin, an Ocala portrait artist, along with two assistants, photographed the ride last year. She took photos of each cyclist with their finishing medal and gave them each a printed photograph to take home.

“We had a blast, and everyone loved taking something home,” she says. This year, the first 100 cyclists will receive free portraits.

Tammy’s hoping to ride the shorter of the two distances this year. She’s been an MCA board member for years and plans to transition into being a volunteer photographer for the organization. She first got into cycling when a car accident forced her to explore low-impact exercise options. Now, she rides up to 13 miles two to three times a week to train for the Ride For The Arts. Her advice to first-time riders? Do as she does and train.

“You need to ride on a regular basis,” Tammy says. “You have to want to do it, and you have to train.”

But don’t worry—once you start the ride, you won’t be left hanging. There will be service cars, a police escort and a repair crew to help you through. A light breakfast will be provided before the ride begins at 8am, and cyclists will get to witness this year’s new feature—plein air painting. Artists will be at work on their ‘open air’ paintings all along the cycling route.

“[The artists] can go wherever they want,” says Paula. “They’ll bring wet paintings back to be sold in the gallery by bid. People will basically have the opportunity to buy originals.”

Most cyclists will be back downtown by 11am or 12pm, and food from La Cuisine French Restaurant, entertainment, beer, music, massages and a bike-related art show will be waiting for them at the event’s after-party. There will be national manufacturers related to the cycling industry downtown, paintings available for purchase and raffles to enter for door prizes. And don’t feel intimidated if your bike of choice isn’t a traditional bike meant specifically for road cycling.

“Any bike is welcome other than a motor bike,” says Mary. “Also, there is a non-riding ticket for $30 if someone wants to enjoy the food, beer, entertainment and art.”

Though last year’s attendance blew expectations out of the water, Tammy says they’re encouraging more participation and more businesses to get involved. Last year’s ride attracted cyclists of all ages and levels to come out and ride. And that’s what she loves about this event.