Meet Pacia Elaine Anderson

Pacia Elaine Anderson is a literary artist. She writes, performs and teaches poetry and spoken word. She has worked with several dozen youth, arts, nonprofit, and community organizations across the region and the country, including administrative and consulting work with the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis, Americans for the Arts. She is deeply invested in the Gravois Park neighborhood where she lives and also served on Great Rivers Greenway Artists of Color Council. In August, she celebrated her 45th birthday by riding 45 miles on the Gravois & River des Peres Greenways.

“When I finished all 45 miles, I wanted to keep going! I felt so strong. Looking back, I can see how this required many “shifts”—literal, physical and mental. When I first started riding, I didn’t even know how to shift gears! I watched videos and participated in online forums, I learned about mechanics and basic repairs. In preparing for the 45-mile ride, I was consistent and strategic about it. I prepared my body. My friends Karen, Jay-Marie, and Chris at Road Crew Coffee and Cycles helped me out a lot. They supported and encouraged me and introduced me to local biking resources. I went on some no-drop group rides with Black Transcendence/Black Trans Bike Experience and learned about bike courtesy and road cycling safety protocols. One of the best things I did was invest in padded bike shorts! I’m proud of what I have accomplished—it’s been a fun process. I decided this is going to be an annual thing and I’ll add a mile every year. My eye is on an 80-mile ride on my 80th birthday!”