Last year I bought a bicycle. I wanted to ride for health, recreation, and some transportation use. While I may not have implemented those wholly (at least to an acceptable degree defined by me), I did make use of the bike and enjoyed a lot of great summer evenings on the road. I also saw a lot of pavement and city areas on weekend mornings when people were sleeping in. I’m here to tell you that a glass of red wine after an evening ride, or a cup of black coffee never tasted so good as after 2 hours in the saddle.
It wasn’t enough for me to continue riding without setting some goals. Don’t get me wrong, I loved spending the time on the bike either alone or with a few close friends. But I wanted to use my new hobby in a manor that was rewarding, and I needed to add a competitive edge. So I did some research and found one of the most satisfying, relaxing, fun, and simple ways to ride my bicycle.
Ride Cincinnati is one of the answers to my dilemma of wanting to ride with a cause. The organization is raising funds for the UC Barrett Cancer Center for research in the area of Breast Cancer. I did some digging and found that this non-competitive charity ride offers a chance to participate in so many ways. I formed a ‘team’ three weeks before the race, emailed family and friends; I found two people willing to ride with me and a whole bunch of individuals willing to contribute small monetary donations. We rode 38.2 miles with one of those friends (the other turned around and completed 18.1 miles) and together we raised just over $700. The event as a whole raised over $220,000!
This year I am getting the word out earlier, promoting this thing harder, and rallying more energy and effort into bringing more family and friends into my enthusiasm for doing something great. Join me on June 14th as Ride Cincinnati embarks for the 3rd year, my 2nd year, in raising money for Breast Cancer Research.
If you want to ride a bicycle with me for part or all of the ride, you are welcome to do that. $30 covers the registration fee; you get a t-shirt and other fun things. If you don’t have the constitution to ride a bicycle no one will be insulted and it is perfectly reasonable to receive a pass. I would love it, if you were one of the non-cyclists, to consider giving a donation-no matter how small-to my team. If you don’t have the ability to donate resources of that nature, then please consider being a volunteer on the morning of the event. I promise that it will be fun, rewarding, and feel great.
Here are my goals for this event:
- ride the full 62.8 miles
- ride the full 62.8 miles in under 4 hours 30 minutes (this time may be updated as the date draws nearer)
- find 5 individuals who are willing to ride one of the 5 distances (8.2 miles, 18.4 miles, 26 miles, 45.2 miles, and 62.8 miles are the options)
- raise at least $1000.00 as a team donation for the Barrett Cancer Center
If interested in making a donation only: click on the logo below, click to contribute, and after giving your information, select our team (Kickstand Envy) to be recognized as participants.
If you want to ride with me: Click on the logo below, select your ride distance and initial the waiver, provide your information and choose our team (Kickstand Envy), as participants.
If you have any problems or concerns, please call me or email me and we’ll find the answers you need.
Thank you for making last year a success. This year will be bigger and more fun and I am excited that we can be a part of it too. Let’s work together in the ways that suit each of our abilities and make a difference that can save lives.
I’ve made a page at the top of my blog as a quick link to bring you back to this page. I hope you’ll take time to consider ways to be involved in this fun event. Be warned, I will be coming back to this again and again as we get closer to June and any deadlines for participation.
