If you like to ride your bike, then Vermont is the place for you! Many weekends throughout the summer have long-distance, fully supported cycling events that raise money for worthy charities. Here is a summary of this summer’s rides.
MAY 10
50 miles, 30 miles, and family ride
The Lund Family Center Mother’s Day Ride is a great way to kick off the cycling season. Rides leave from Rice Memorial High School in South Burlington, starting at 8 a.m. There is no entry fee, but riders are asked to collect a minimum of $200 in pledges. Lots of great raffle prizes and food! More info: 802-864-7646 ext. 3000, www.lundfamilycenter.org.
JUNE 6 & 7
Tour de Kingdom
15, 25, 50, 75, 100 miles
Ride one day or both! Saturday takes riders through the Kingdom’s legendary lake region, with five different loops. These routes take riders through fields and forests, and past farms and lakes, including Lake Willoughby. The 15-mile route follows the bike path along the eastern shores of the Kingdom’s “Great Lake,” Lake Memphremagog. Sunday’s ride is intended to challenge those who live for the climb, taking them through the Kingdom’s western “hill country,” up and down the flanks of Jay Peak. There will also be shorter, less challenging routes. Both days are fully supported, and start and end at the IROC (Indoor Recreation of Orleans County) facility in Derby, VT. Registration is $25 (each day), plus riders are asked to raise a minimum of $25 in pledges (each day), to benefit IROC’s Healthy Changes Initiative for people suffering from chronic conditions. More info: IROC, 802-334-8511, www.tourdekingdom.org.
JUNE 13
Champ Ride for Vermont CARES
12, 25, 50, 70, 100 miles
Rides begin and end at Kingsland Bay State Park, Ferrisburgh, VT. Registration is $25 and riders are asked to raise an additional $200 in pledges. The non-pledge rider’s fee is $75. More info: Roy at roy@vtcares.org, or call 1-800-649-2437 or 802-863-2437, www.vtcares.org.
JUNE 21
Great Rivers Century
25, 50, 80, 100 miles
The rides start at the Cavendish Grade School in Proctorsville and raise money for Windsor County Youth Services. Minimal climbing and lots of scenic riverside riding. Cost is $25 before June 8, $30 thereafter. More info: Rick Trainer at Mountain Cycology in Ludlow, VT, 802-228-2722.
JULY 27
Tour de Book
13, 32, 60 miles
Tour de Book benefits the Windham County Reads Bookmobile. All three rides start between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. at the Retreat Petting Farm on Route 30 in Brattleboro. Entry fee is $25 for adults and $5 for youth. More info: Ruth Allard, 802-257-5725, www.windhamcountyreads.org/tourdebook/asp.
JULY 10-11
Prouty Ultimate
200 miles
This two-day double century supports cancer research and patient services at Dartmouth’s Norris Cotton Cancer Center. On day one, cyclists bike 100 miles along a scenic and challenging route from Manchester to Hanover. On day two, riders join The Prouty Century Ride (see next listing). Participants start in Hanover, NH, and travel on a 100 mile loop through the beautiful Connecticut River Valley. More info: www.theproutyultimate.org.
JULY 11
Prouty Memorial Century
25, 50, 100 miles
The Prouty Memorial Century begins and ends at the Richmond Middle School, Hanover, NH, and raises money for cancer research at Dartmouth’s Norris Cotton Cancer Center. Besides the bike rides, various walking routes are also available. More info: Michelle Manning, Friends of Norris Cotton Cancer Center, 800-226-8744, michelle.manning@Dartmouth.edu, www.theprouty.org.
JULY 25
Onion River Century Ride
113 miles or 100 kilometers
Rides begin at the Montpelier Rec Field and go north through scenic farmland and rolling countryside. Proceeds benefit the Kellogg Hubbard Library. More info: Carrie, 802-229-9409, www.onionriver.com.
AUGUST 1
Gear Up for Lyme
Mount Equinox Uphill Bike Climb
5.4 uphill miles
This is a race, not a tour, and it’s for the more serious-minded athlete. The course is a 5.4-mile race up the Mt. Equinox Skyline Drive, finishing at the top of Mt. Equinox in Manchester, VT. The race is a fundraiser to benefit the Lyme Disease Association. More info: Andy Holzman, 802-362-0273,
www.gearupforlyme.com,
AUGUST 1
Mount Washington Century
40, 80, 100 miles
The century and other distances begin and end in Albany, NH. The century includes several climbs in the White Mountains. Proceeds benefit the Tin Mountain Conservation Center. More info: Donna Dolan, 603-447-6991, www.tinmtn.org.
AUGUST 1-2
Vermont Lakes Region Cycling Weekend
Routes ranging from 12 to 60 miles each day
Sponsored by the Lakes Region Cycling Club and the Rotary Club of Poultney, the event benefits the Poultney Food Shelf and state and local bicycle programs. All routes depart from Green Mountain College in Poultney. Riders are provided with detailed maps and may ride independently or with others. 125-rider limit. More info: Mary Rachel, 802-747-2521, bike@cyclingvermont.org, www.cyclingvermont.org.
AUGUST 8 & 9
Bike MS: Green Mountain Getaway MS Bike Tour
One or two days; 20,40,75,100 miles each day
Cyclists ride for one or two days beginning at Castleton State College in Castleton and raise money for multiple sclerosis. All four distances are offered both days and go through rolling, scenic farmland. More info: Lindsey Going, 802-864-6356, www.msvermont.org
AUGUST 15
Harpoon Point to Point Ride
25, 50, 110 miles
A day of bicycle rides across Vermont to benefit the Vermont Foodbank. The 110-mile ride starts in Williston, the 50-mile ride
starts in Bethel, and the 25-mile loop leaves from the Harpoon Brewery in Windsor. All riders finish at the Harpoon Brewery with a barbecue, live music, and fresh beer! More info: 888-HARPOON or www.harpoonbrewery.com/pointtopoint
AUGUST 22
Pedal for Paws—NCAL’s Ride for the Animals
25, 60, 100 miles
Raise funds to benefit the animals at the North Country Animal League. Rides begin and end at the Commodore’s Inn in Stowe, where there’s a post-ride barbecue. More info: 802-888-5065. Register at www.ncal.com/events/pedal-4-paws/pedal-4-paws-home
SEPTEMBER 19
Terry & Ben Claassen Memorial Northeast Kingdom Lakes Century Bike Tour
25, 50, 75, 100 miles
These rides raise money for the Orleans County Citizen Advocacy, a non-profit organization that brings together citizen volunteers and people with disabilities. Rides begin and end at Barton’s Crystal Lake State Park and go past several lakes in the Northeast Kingdom. More info: Joan Alexander, 802-525-6212, www.interlog.com/~jedward/century.html.
SEPTEMBER 27
Vermont 50-Mile Mountain Bike or Ultra Run
The Vermont 50-Mile Ride (or run) takes you over 50 miles of dirt roads and trails in South/Central Vermont, beginning and ending at Ascutney Mountain Resort in Brownsville. All proceeds go to Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports. Register online only at www.vermont50.com, starting May 25, 2008 at 7 p.m. More info: Mike Silverman, 603-643-5637, Michael.j.silverman@valley.net, www.vermont50.com.
OCTOBER 3
Cochran 100 Bike Ride
50 or 100 miles
The 100-mile ride begins at 9 a.m. while the 50-mile ride begins at noon. Both start and finish at Cochran’s ski area in Richmond. Routes pass through valleys in the northern Green Mountains. Proceeds benefit kids’ learn-to-ski programs. More info: www.cochranskiarea.com.
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