I would like to invite you on a bike ride that you will never forget while helping change the world at the same time. Specifically, I am asking you to join Team World Bicycle Relief for Ride the Rockies this coming June.
What is Ride the Rockies?
Ride the Rockies (RTR) is one of the premier organized bike rides in the United States. Every year they have a different itinerary to keep it interesting – the routes are usually between 400-500 miles with 30,000-40,000 feet of climbing. Next year’s ride will be June 10-17 and the route will be announced in early February. Although sign-ups will not start until February, I am working to build the team now.
While Ride the Rockies is not a charity ride, the RTR staff are awesome enough to allow chosen charity teams that bypass the lottery (the cap the ride at approximately 2,000 riders).
To get a sense of the ride, here is my blog post for last year’s ride: http://michael-obrien.
Here are three of my favorite YouTube videos to give you a sense of the ride:
- Climbing and descending Independence Pass, 2016 RTR
- Screaming down Trail Ridge Road, 2016 RTR
- Climbing and descending Cottonwood Pass 2015 RTR (I hit 55 MPH at the end)
Wow, Ride the Rockies looks like an incredible ride! Tell me about World Bicycle Relief.
Steve and I atop Ute Pass
World Bicycle Relief helps give hope, opportunity, and the ability for people to control their own destinies by building and distributing bicycles in Africa. Over the past two years, RTR’s Team WBR raised $36,868, enough to buy exactly 250 bicycles.
These 250 bicycles went to girls who, for the first times in their lives, were able to attend school. And with an education, they can set their sights far higher than mere survival – they can now dare to dream to be doctors, engineers, professors, or lawyers. Some of these 250 bicycles went to people who heal the sick – now able to visit 12-15 patients in a day, instead of 2-4. And some of these 250 bicycles went to farmers and entrepreneurs who can now provide for their families. We radically changed the lives of 250 people.
This two minute WBR video vividly shows the kind of difference YOU can make in someone else’s life: The Power of Bicycles.
Okay, I’m interested, but I have never done a tour like this. Also, I don’t know how I feel about traveling all the way to Colorado while not knowing anyone.
Rob and Allison – Two riders on Team WBR
As the team captain, I hold a series of teleconferences before the ride where I help go over all the things you need to know: what to pack, lodging, logistics, traveling with your bike, etc. I provide a list of things you will want to bring and links to Amazon if you need them. I typically have one call where a friend who is a Colorado native and avid cyclist gives us a walk-through of each day and what to expect.
Also, the general rule is that you ride at the pace that works for you – riding as one big pack with different skill levels doesn’t work as well in the mountains. However, we typically meet up once we all get in and hang around until it’s time to go to bed. Moreover, we typically do indoor camping and sleep together as a group. I have made some incredibly good friends on the ride.
Okay, I’m really interested now. What’s next?
Let me know that you’re interested and I will put you on my distribution list. The route will probably be announced on February 4, and the sign-up period will probably be Feb 5-26.
If you agree to ride for the team, our ask is that you raise enough money for 10 bicycles ($147 a bike – means that your commitment is $1,470). As part of Team WBR, you bypass the lottery. The registration fee is usually $500 that includes full support once you show up except for meals. The organization and coordination is exceptional and it is worth every penny of the $500.
I will be holding a Q&A call on December 6, 2016, at 7:30 p.m. EST. Below are some of the things I will cover. If you are interested, e-mail me at the address below and I will send you the dial-in information:
- Travel. Packing your bike, flying to Colorado, getting to/from the ride
- Lodging. What lodging options exist for RTR
- What to Expect. A day-in-the-life view of the ride, how it works, etc.
- What to bring. It is easy to over-pack for a ride like this, and still not bring some critical items – so we will talk about what’s essential.
- Fundraising. Quick overview of how to raise funds for the ride
Are you interested? If you would like me to put you on my list, or if you have any additional questions, please e-mail me at mrobrien@gmail.com.
