Catskills Cycling: Pedaling Towards Making A Real Difference

Friday, October 14, 2011

Pedaling Towards Making A Real Difference

Several weeks ago I received a call from the Shandaken Town Clerk (Laurie Frasier) asking if the Catskill Mtn Velo club would be interested putting together a charity ride for flood victims. I told her I was already considering a benefit ride, but I was hoping to focus any money raised to be used towards 1) Bikes & 2) Children. So we both agreed we would hold a ride where the proceeds go toward purchasing bikes for kids who lost theirs due to the Hurricane Irene flooding.

We also worked with Belleayre Ski Center to see if they would like to support us in our efforts and allow us a spot at their Annual Fall Festival. They cordially stood beside what we were doing.

Now, early October can be a bit of a coin toss here in the Catskill Park. It could be warm and sunny, or frigid cold and raining. We warned people to prepare for the worst. However, none of the doomsday gear was necessary because last Sunday was - like Ace Ventura would say - B-E-A-utiful! The sun was out all weekend for much of the East Coast, and the temps were close to summer-like. It was basically a cyclist's weekend!

With a very short time frame, and basically no budget, we threw an event together that would bring people from the Hudson Valley, NYC, England, and beyond. We had a great showing from local cyclists here in the Catskill Park as well.

We never achieved the $100,000+ the Windham Mountain Benefit Dinner did, but we did end up raising $1704.50! Some of this goes to USA Cycling for the event, but the rest will go towards working with our local bike shop to get kids back on bikes. Hopefully we can have them to families to put under the tree during the Holiday Season.

We have an application being developed for any family in the Catskill Region to fill out and mail back to the Catskill Mtn Velo Club for a new bike. This project is on a first come - first serve basis, and is good only until we have reached the end of our fund balance. I will have the application up soon on its own specific post.

Thank you to all who showed and gave funds toward our event. We are excited to be moving cycling forward here in our Catskill Mountains ; )