Cycling for a Cause – Three CT Charity Rides

Like many of you, I was sidelined this weekend by the wet and blustery Hurricane Irene. 

In addition, I’m employed by a local university and the students are back so my bike sat unused after a week of long hours and working Saturday. But there is always much to write about the sport of cycling, and I took some time during the storm to research upcoming local charity bike rides hoping to sign up for one.  There are many throughout Connecticut, and I have highlighted the following three:

An old friend, her husband and a neighbor ride in my first pick:  the 3rd Annual Camp Challenge Ride in Ashford, CT on September 10th.  This cycling event benefits the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. Participants must raise a minimum of $250, but 100% of every dollar raised helps send children with serious illnesses to the Camp for an “empowering and joyful experience with round-the-clock medical care.” Riders can choose from a 62.5-mile metric century, 30 or 15 mile rides.

 All routes begin and end at the Camp which was founded by the late great Paul Newman.  The ride takes place rain or shine, but there are showers available for riders, and they have activities for families including mini golf, archery and thank you rally. Ashford is in the rural northwest corner of the state, so be prepared for some climbs.  For more information, visit http://teamholeinthewall.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=462964.

My next pick, Bike the Beach on September 18th, takes riders along the picturesque Connecticut shoreline through five historic towns and scenic beaches.  This ride starts at Jennings Beach in Fairfield and heads west toward Darien passing among others Southport Beach and Pear Tree Point.  Every dollar raised (registration is $35) will be used to benefit people with developmental disabilities through the activities of the Probus Club of Greater Bridgeport. Riders can choose from 10, 20, 45 or 62-mile routes that range from flat and rolling to rolling and hilly.  There are fully stocked rest stops and lunch is served after the tour.

The Probus Club is a volunteer organization of professional and business leaders dedicated to helping persons who have intellectual disabilities.  Projects include the Special Olympics, visiting cultural venues, camp scholarships, dances, etc.  The Probus’ Bike the Beach event has been held annually for 21 years.  For more information, visit www.bikethebeach.com.

A ride closer to home --for most of my readers-- is Tour de Tribury XIX on September 24th.  For a mere $30 registration fee , participants can choose to ride either 10, 25 or 50 miles through the beautiful Tribury hills of Southbury, Woodbury, and Middlebury enjoying vibrant autumn colors.   Funds raised from this event benefit the Southbury Fuel Bank.  The rides leave from Sacred Heart Church in Southbury, and there is a rain date of October 1st.  All the routes are fully supported and refreshments and door prizes are available to all after the event.  There is a t-shirt for the first 100 registrants. 

The Southbury Emergency Fuel Bank has been providing heating expense assistance for individuals and families of Southbury for 25 years. It is run by a volunteer board and 100% of all donations go directly into the fuel bank.  In the past 18 years, the Tour de Tribury has raised over $90,000 for the fuel bank which is 100% community supported. Riders are encouraged to raise additional funds for the fuel bank and are then eligible for special prizes the day of the ride.

I challenge my readers to sign up for this event and come ride with me.  Hopefully my legs willing, I’ll do the 50 mile route.  Also, I intend to raise an additional $100 from family and friends—and I bet together we can surpass last year’s total of $8100 raised by Tour de Tribury XVIII.  Come on let’s do it!

For more information, visit http://www.sacredheartchurch.info/biketour/2011/index.html or email joeruggiero@earthlink.net or call 203-264-9028.   

The following organizations have sponsored the Tour de Tribury XIX for 2011:

• Class Cycle
• David Nyman Inc.
• DiPalma's New York Pizza
• Dr. Gary Westerman, D.M.D.
• Hearing Aid Specialists of CT
• Hine Brothers Garage
• Historical Art Prints
• Julio's Wood Fired Pizza
• Mancini Chiropractic
• Mikee's Place
• The Rathskeller
• Southbury Food Center
• Tim Conlan Company
• Urgent Care of Southbury
• The Upper Room/Church of the Epiphany