Fall Fun-d-raisers Set Bar at All Time High
While tree leaves change colors across the US, World Bicycle Relief fundraisers are busy at work organizing a wide variety of events to raise both fun and funds to provide students in rural Zambia with bicycles. Fifteen independently organized events are taking place in October alone!
The 2nd Annual Peloton of Awesome | October 1, 2011 | Washington, D.C.
At this time last year, Miriam Schwedt and Katie Heller connected with World Bicycle Relief looking to give back after having participated in a group ride for Miriam’s birthday with all of their friends. The duo then formed Katie and Miriam’s Peloton of Awesome, and enjoyed a perfect fall bike ride with a mass of happy D.C. area cyclists in support of World Bicycle Relief. Miriam and Katie were back again this year with the help of WBR super supporter, Blake Selzer, to create the 2nd Annual Peloton of Awesome. This year’s Peloton of Awesome featured slightly less appealing weather than the past edition, however, the group raised over $7,000 (about 52 WBR bikes!) and saw 96 people register for the 20-mile ride. Of course, what better way to end a ride than a happy hour? Local 16 kindly hosted the Peloton of Awesome participants and donated 10% of their happy hour sales to WBR as well. Awesome!
Jesse Anthony’s Cyclocross Retirement | October 1 & 2, 2011 | Gloucester, MA
Jesse Anthony, professional cyclist with the Kelly Benefits Strategies – OptumHealth Team, announced his retirement from cyclocross this September. After a wildly successful 2011 season racing bicycles on the road which saw him on the top step of the podium several times this year, the 7-time Cyclocross National Champion decided to hang up his mud tires. The upside? After participating at WBR’s Racing ‘Cross for a Cause campaign at last year’s Cyclocross National Championships and further engaging with World Bicycle Relief through the KBS – OptumHealth team, Jesse decided to dedicate the final cyclocross race weekend of his career to raise funds and awareness for World Bicycle Relief near his hometown of Beverly, MA at the Gloucester Grand Prix. As most professional athletes are inclined to do, Jesse set his fundraising bar high, and was able to raise $6,700 from loyal fans, supporters, and sponsor contributions. Best of all, Champion Systems created a special World Bicycle Relief skin suit for Jesse to wear during the Gloucester Grand Prix! Thank you Jesse for all of your hard work and we wish you the best in 2012 and beyond!
Furnace Creek 508: Scott Brown and David O’Brien | October 8 – 10, 2011 | Southern California
A couple weekends ago, two cyclists competed in “the toughest 48 hours of sport,” the Furnace Creek 508, to promote World Bicycle Relief. This epic 508 mile bike ride that boasts 35,000 feet of elevation gain through the Mojave Desert, Death Valley, and into Joshua Tree National Park is acknowledged as one of the nation’s most prestigious ultra distance cycling events. Unknowingly, two completely unrelated gentlemen both decided to accept the challenge of the Furnace Creek 508, setting up personal fundraising pages via the World Bicycle Relief “Get Involved” section to encourage donations. Tucson Velo’s Rider of the Week, David O’Brien completed the brutal course in an impressive 41 hours and raised $2,000 for World Bicycle Relief as he went. Carefully documenting his preparation for the Furnace Creek via his blog, David engaged his friends and family by showing how much training and preparation was involved to achieve his goals. His About Me section states, “Most people probably hear about this ride and think ‘who the heck is crazy enough to attempt something like that?’ Well apparently I am!” Thanks for the “crazy” attempt David! The second Furnace Creek 508 finisher, Scott Brown of Elk Grove, CA, is one of the many riders to attest that the heat and distance in this race is not something to take lightly. Fighting through chills and stomach problems to successfully complete the race, Scott’s advice for the ride is “to keep an open mind as your original plans take on a completely new direction.” We are proud of Scott for his fantastic work in completing the Furnace Creek despite these setbacks and thank him for raising over $3,300 for World Bicycle Relief along the way.
October Events On-deck: SpinDoc Ride-a-thon | October 22, 2011 | 9 AM – 1 PM | SpinDoc, Santa Fe, NM Stop by SpinDoc in Santa Fe between 9 AM – 1 PM to spin for World Bicycle Relief. A $10/hr donation to World Bicycle Relief for the Ride-a-thon will be collected at the door. Come join the fun and bring your cowbell!
With My Own Two Wheels in NYC | October 23, 2011 | 2 PM | Walter Reed Theater, Lincoln Center, New York, NY Join World Bicycle Relief President F. K. Day for a screening of the award-winning film With My Own Two Wheels at Mountain Film in the Big Apple!
Give a Bike hits State #48 in Washington October 24, 2011 | 6 – 8 PM | Eleven Winery, Poulsbo, WA October 25, 2011 | 6 - 7:30 PM | Gregg’s Cyclery, NE Seattle, WA The incredible newlywed Give-a-Bike duo, Adam and Christy Coppola, are on a mission to tour all 50 states via bicycle to benefit World Bicycle Relief and Achilles International. As the couple hit Washington, stop by for their final presentations in the lower 48 before they head to Alaska and Hawaii to complete their tour.
