Houston’s Fittest Young Professionals Hit the Party Scene Before Cycling

What: Cocktail party launching the third annual Ryde for a Reason fundraiser

Where: The Dunlavy

PC Moment: A pride of fit and fabulous young professionals and others hit the party scene the night before jumping on the cycles at Ryde in River Oaks Shopping Center to raise funds for the local Alzheimer’s Association. Founders of the indoor cycling gym —twentysomething entrepreneurs Andrew Pappas and Ashley Gooch and co-owner Lisi Garcia — organized the evening that drew 250 guests.

The Nightowls band, in from Austin, performed indoors at the Buffalo Bayou Park party palace while a DJ spun discs on the patio. Signature cocktails, such as the Night Ryder, fueled the energized fun.

Adding to the coffers were tempting silent auction items including a 10-carat custom diamond and amethyst ring designed by Marla’s Gem Creations, two courtside Houston Rockets seats, group dinners at Ibiza and a’Bouzy, and an Avery Island getaway that included accommodations in the McIIhenny Company guest house, dinner catered by corporate chef Nelson Boutte and tour of the Avery Family Tabasco archives.

The following day, cycling enthusiasts hit the bikes at Ryde — River Oaks in a day-long fundraising effort for the Alzheimer’s Association. Since debuting the Ryde for a Reason effort in 2015, the cycling romp has contributed more than $115,000 to local nonprofits.

Good news for Ryde fans living or working downtown, the owners plan to open a second location, twice the size of the River Oaks site, in the historic Esperson Building in early 2018.

Peddle pals: Sarah Jawda, Martin Hristov, Ralph Manginello, Kate Kazakewich, Kyle Rottet, Taylor Chalmers, Amanda Grove, Maroun Koutani, Nikki Murphy, Ashley Gangnuss,  Korrin and Juan Espiga, Kat Kennedy, Kelly Crone, Kate and Chris Robart, Alyssa and Kevin Peters, Jessica Raab, Isabelle Swartz, Brian McCollum, Michael Acosta, Ray Garcia, Ralph Manginello, Kaate Kazakewich, Ross Robin, Crystal Shotwell and Jordon Herrera.