UPAF Ride for the Arts will feature a closed-loop course over the Hoan Bridge in June

Jim Higgins | May 4, 2022

The annual UPAF Ride for the Arts will return to Milwaukee's Hoan Bridge on June 5, with a new closed loop that will keep cars away during the event.

The "Hoan Loop Course" will be a 12-mile loop on I-794 from Milwaukee to Cudahy and back. From 7-10 a.m. June 5, participants, selecting routes from 5 to 60 miles, can ride over the Hoan Bridge multiple times, UPAF announced in a statement released Wednesday morning. 

The course will be completely closed to vehicle traffic during the event, UPAF said. 

UPAF raises operating funds for performing arts organizations such as the Milwaukee Symphony and Milwaukee Repertory Theater. It also provides one-time grants to arts organizations. UPAF Ride for the Arts, presented by Miller Lite, is its signature annual fundraising event.

During the past two years, UPAF made significant changes to the annual ride with COVID-19 pandemic safety in mind. The 2021 event was spread over three Saturdays. The 2020 event was entirely virtual, with riders starting and ending wherever and whenever riders liked.

In addition to the Hoan route, the 2022 UPAF Ride will offer the "Slow Roll for the Arts," a 1-mile group ride through Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward past Milwaukee Ballet's Baumgartner Center for Dance, leaving downtown at 10:30 a.m. and ending at Urban Park outside the north gate of Summerfest. UPAF is encouraging "Slow Roll" riders to wear costumes and possibly win prizes.

Registration for the 2022 UPAF Ride is open at the UPAF website. The early-bird price through Feb. 14 is $50. After that date, registration is $65.

People who commit to raising $100 have the option to register for $35. All kids 12 and under ride free with an adult registration.

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