Celebrating Pride Through Community: How NYXX Cycle & Strength and High Ride Cycle Brought People Together

At Mariana Tek, we believe fitness has the power to create belonging. That’s why each year we’re proud to support studios that are building inclusive communities and creating spaces where people can show up as their authentic selves.

This Pride Month, two of our Pride Sponsorship recipients—NYXX Cycle & Strength and High Ride Cycle—used their grants to create meaningful experiences that celebrated their LGBTQIA+ communities while bringing people together through movement, connection, and joy.

Building a Community Where Everyone Belongs

For NYXX Cycle & Strength, community has always been at the heart of everything they do.

Their members don’t just attend classes together—they build friendships, encourage one another, and create connections that extend far beyond the studio walls. That sense of belonging is reflected in the studio’s mantra, “No Place Like NYXX,” a phrase that has become a defining part of the culture they’ve built.

“We believe in always showing up as our authentic selves,” said Nick Melnyk, Owner of NYXX Cycle & Strength in Cincinnati, Ohio. “Pride is one of our favorite times of year to celebrate exactly that—being proud of our community and every person in it.”

Creating an inclusive environment wasn’t something NYXX Cycle & Strength set out to do only during Pride Month. From day one, the goal was to build a space that welcomed everyone while empowering members to challenge themselves and discover what they’re capable of.

By combining high-level athletic training with an encouraging and supportive atmosphere, NYXX Cycle & Strength has created a fitness destination where members feel seen, celebrated, and valued.

Turning Pride Into a Celebration

With support from Mariana Tek’s Pride Sponsorship, NYXX Cycle & Strength hosted its annual Pride celebration—an event that has become a beloved tradition within the community.

The sponsorship helped fund drag performances, catered food, giveaways, and the studio’s signature “Big Gay Field Day” games. The event marked the fourth consecutive year NYXX Cycle & Strength welcomed drag performers to celebrate alongside members.

“The energy was electric,” said Nick. “Our community was truly thriving.”

For NYXX Cycle & Strength, the event represented more than a celebration. It was an opportunity to honor the people who have helped shape the studio into what it is today and reinforce a message that guides everything they do: everybody belongs here.

Fitness, Fundraising, and Pride in Action

In Denver, High Ride Cycle used its sponsorship to bring its annual Drag Queen Pride Party to life while raising funds for a cause close to its heart.

With three indoor cycling studios throughout the Denver area, High Ride Cycle has built a reputation for creating meaningful connections both on and off the bike. While many riders first come for the workout, they stay because of the relationships they build.

“Our community is made up of individuals from all backgrounds,” said Taylor Jackson, VP of Marketing at High Ride Cycle. “We’re proud to have an incredible LGBTQIA+ community represented among both our riders and teammates.”

For High Ride Cycle, Pride Month is an opportunity to celebrate that community while supporting advocacy efforts that create lasting impact.

The studio’s Pride event featured donation-based rides with special guest drag performer Jessica L’Whor, followed by a community gathering where riders could connect and celebrate together. One hundred percent of funds raised from the rides benefited One Colorado, the state’s leading advocacy organization for LGBTQIA+ rights.

The sponsorship also supported videography efforts, allowing the team to capture both the Drag Queen Pride Party and additional Pride rides held across all three locations.

“What makes the event unique is that it combines movement, entertainment, fundraising, and community connection into a single experience,” said Taylor. “It’s not just about taking a class—it’s about creating a space where people can celebrate who they are, support an important cause, and feel connected to something bigger than themselves.”

Inclusion Beyond Pride Month

While Pride celebrations create important moments of visibility and connection, both NYXX Cycle & Strength and High Ride Cycle emphasized that inclusion is something they work toward every day of the year.

At High Ride Cycle, that means building a team that reflects the community they serve, creating an environment where people can show up authentically, and ensuring every rider feels welcome from the moment they walk through the door.

“Our goal year-round is simple,” said Taylor. “To create a place where people feel comfortable being themselves and where movement becomes a vehicle for connection, confidence, and community.”

For NYXX Cycle & Strength, the philosophy is equally straightforward: create a space where everyone feels they belong, celebrate the people who make the community special, and help members see what’s possible for themselves both inside and outside the studio.

The Power of Community

Pride Month serves as an important reminder that fitness is about more than workouts. It’s about creating spaces where people feel supported, connected, and empowered to be themselves.

We’re honored to support studios like NYXX and High Ride Cycle that continue to lead by example—not only during Pride Month, but throughout the entire year.

Thank you to both teams for building communities where everyone belongs.