Bicycle Fundraising or Benefit Rides
Some cyclists ride for fun and fitness AND to raise money for a good cause. This is a popular way to increase awareness of health-related issues, while raising funds in a participation event. On a national level, benefit rides support: the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Habitat For Humanity, Boys' and Girls' Club, Ronald McDonald House and many other worthy causes. Visit Run Walk Ride, the leading authority on athletic event fundraising, for a listing of group benefit bike rides at http://www.runwalkride.com/casestudies.asp#Group%20Rides.
Dollars raised by people willing to exercise for a good cause grew 12.1 percent in 2007 and are expected to grow at a similar rate in 2008, according to the Run Walk Ride. Benefit bicycle rides are great group rides and they support a good cause. Some events require a registration fee and collection of pledges and others charge a registration fee and donate a portion of their proceeds. Some rides attract several hundred riders or more. It’s a great opportunity for co-workers, families, friends and cycling enthusiasts to get together and cycle.
Company Sponsorship of Benefit Rides
Companies and organizations can sponsor or host an event. Some companies offer matching gift programs for contributions made by employees. Other organizations support a workplace bicycle team and provide a time and place to meet as well as funding for training and participation.
Bicycle Safety is a Priority
The safety of all riders participating in a benefit ride is extremely critical to the sponsoring organizations as well as to the organization the benefit ride supports. To keep the ride a safe and enjoyable experience, bicycle riders must be prepared for the event; training can start months in advance of the ride.
In 2006, the League of American Bicyclists (LAB) partnered with the National MS Society to launch a group riding curriculum specifically to train ride leaders and participants in group-riding-specific skills. The program led to an increase in safety awareness among bike benefit ride participants and an annual decrease in rider-related medical transports. Visit the LAB site at www.bikeleague.org.
At a minimum, benefit cyclists must be familiar with the rules of the road, practice group riding, break in any new gear like clothes, shoes, and helmets, wear a helmet AT ALL TIMES, yield to other riders as they try to pass, ride friendly and respect the communities that you ride through.
To get started! Assess your current fitness level and create a training plan that fits with your schedule. Start slowly and gradually increase your mileage. A good rule to follow is to increase by no more than 10 percent each week. Whether you've chosen a 25, 50 or 100-mile course, train on the bike you'll be using for the event.
The Bike MS Express Scripts Gateway Getaway Ride 2008-Missouri
This ride event offers safe cycling programs to riders for physical, mental and technical training. Organizers provide a series of training rides and a Cycle University available at local sponsoring bike shops to learn from bike shop personnel about bike maintenance, safety, rules of the road and a variety of other topics to help participants ride safely. |
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The group also has a Safety Certified quiz to ensure that participating cyclists know the rules of the road and are prepared to cycle safely. Cyclists receive a Safety Certified sticker to attach to their bib number at the ride. The team with the highest percentage of riders Safety Certified receives the Team Safety Award at the Awards Party. For further information on this program visit their website at: http://bikemos.nationalmssociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=BIKE_MOS_ CyclingSafety
The Monsanto Mavericks Cycling Team
The team is comprised of Monsanto employees, their families, and their friends with representation from nearly every functional department within the company. Monsanto organizes teams in conjunction with multiple MS150 Bike Tours sponsored by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS). They have teams across the nation (Saint Louis, California, Connecticut, Wisconsin, and Canada). The MS150 Bike Tour is an annual fundraising event held in many parts of the United States. We are Mavericks Saint Louis, Mavericks West, Mavericks Augusta, Mavericks Mystic, others... Visit their website at: http://www.monsantomavericks.org/2008MS150/home_2008.htm to see how this company organizes and trains their cycling teams.
