For Amanda Jimenez, a quantitative client strategist at Hudson River Trading (HRT), it seems only natural that her firm is a six-year sponsor of Wall Street Rides FAR. “We’ve been a repeat sponsor because we really appreciate the work that the Autism Science Foundation does and we want to support it. And when you see banks and other brokers other vendors also coming back year after year, it really confirms how much the whole industry values the work ASF is doing to support people with autism”.

Although she’s known how to ride a bike since childhood, it took the pandemic to get Amanda to visit a bike shop and start riding as an adult. “I live in Brooklyn, and having a bike is definitely very useful helping me get around. I find that the more I bike, the more my mood improves – it’s so great to be outside; you can see so many things in such a short period of time. I think there’s also a great community of bikers in New York. That’s what nice about being on a longer bike ride like the Rides FAR. You meet up with people along the way and at the rest stops. Everyone is so friendly and so helpful and willing to talk and become friends.”

With firms and organizations from across the industry set to join the ride, Team HRT is looking forward to seeing old friends and colleagues, and also to meeting new ones, all while supporting the cause of autism research.

“I think one of the reasons the event is so successful is that you have people from all places in the financial services sector, regardless of where they sit during the work week, coming together to participate and support the incredibly important autism research and programs that ASF funds.”

HRT plans to field a team of 40 riders and walkers this year. “When we sent out the form,” she said, “people were signing up very, very quickly.”

“And it’s also fun, right?” she continued. “It’s a beautiful bike ride through these beautiful towns. You’re seeing green, you’re not in the concrete jungle, you’re breathing fresh air. And I think a lot of the time, that’s more than enough of a reason to get involved.”