Charity Rides

The perfect month for a little challenge.

As summer winds down and the calendar turns to September it brings with it the beginning of the best cycling season of the year.  Although summer still has a few weeks left, meteorological fall begins September 1^st, and you can feel the change with temperatures in the 40’s and 50’s to start the day. The days may be getting shorter but it’s the perfect time to start the day with a ride as the crisp morning air will awaken the senses and give you the endorphins you need to get through the day.  And if that isn’t enough to get you churning your gears then maybe the added incentive of riding for a cause is the boost you need.

September is a month where many charities and foundations do month long cycling fundraisers to help increase donations and promote their cause.  All you have to do is set a cycling goal or try to hit the goal that is already attached to that challenge and try to raise some money along the way by promoting your donation page.  Don’t feel bad if you don’t cycle much and have trouble hitting your mileage as you have already done the hard part by simply trying to achieve something you don’t normally do.  It is also fun to challenge yourself and see if you can push yourself to a distance you didn’t think you could reach.  And if you are having a day feeling sluggish or lazy the added incentive of trying to hit your goal may just be the push you need to get out there and discover the joy in cycling that so many of us share.  

I have chosen to participate in the Great Cycle Challenge.  All proceeds raised go to support the Children’s Cancer Research Fund.  Only 4% of federal funding for cancer research goes to projects involving children’s cancer, so it’s a great cause to ride for.  You set your mileage and fundraising goals and have the entire month to try and hit both goals.  My goal is to ride 525 miles, which would be a personal one-month record, and to raise 100 dollars.  You can check out my page here and sign up for your own challenge if you feel up for it https://greatcyclechallenge.com/riders/BrandonZoladz.  My better half is joining me in the challenge and also reaching for a personal best 425-mile month so check out her page and help her reach her goal of 500 dollars and a hard earned jersey on top of it. https://greatcyclechallenge.com/riders/HannahTsutsumi.

There are many other challenges for the month that all go to great causes including:

St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital 60 miles in September https://www.facebook.com/groups/1463391761090600/

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society 50 miles your way in September

https://www.facebook.com/groups/994470158261240

American Cancer Society bike 50 miles in September

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2167146167009660

To Write Love On Her Arms 150 mile cycle Challenge

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1042848250017394/

Maybe you used to cycle a lot and are looking to get back into it, or maybe it’s something you have been thinking about getting into but haven’t started yet.  Now is the perfect time to get out there and enjoy the beautiful weather while also helping out a great cause in the process, it can’t get much better than that! And after your read don’t forget to stop by your favorite trailside brewery or watering hole for some deserving post ride hops.  Happy Cycling!