Charity Bicycle Rides 2009

2009 dates in boldface

Want to ride for a reason this year? There are hundreds of major bike rides sponsored by big health foundations throughout the US where the top goal is fund-raising, often through a system of pledges for participating bicyclists.

While the individual bike rides are too numerous to mention -- the MS150 sponsors about 100 events -- here are short descriptions and links to the major sponors. The bicycle ride series include Multiple Sclerosis, Leukemia, Lung, Diabetes, and LiveStrong bike tours. Others, such as the AIDS Lifecycle and Pan Mass Challenge sponsor one event.  Here, in no particular order, are some of them:

Bicycle ride series:

American Lung Association

Lung association chapters in 9 states sponsor charity ride events in 2009 -- California, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Oregon, Washington and West Virginia. (Note: The website for the American Lung Association - Northwest, which handles Washington only, has been disabled due to some legal entanglements.) Also, there's the fully supported Big Ride Across America from June 22 - August 8, 2009. Check here for Cycling event locations.

Bike and Build (Cross country)

Eight teams, mostly comprised of college students, raise money for affordable housing and bicycle across the US on different routes, stopping along the way to provide hands on help at construction sites. 2009 is its seventh year. The bicyclists ride about 75 miles a day and share chores on the van-supported ride. (Read more about Bike and Build)

Davis Phinney Foundation (Parkinson's disease)

The winningest American cyclist sponsors six bicycle rides and races in 2009 to support those diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. The rides include Sea Otter Classic (CA), Bay Road Bikes Pedal for Parkinson's - Essex County Velo, RAGBRAI Parkinson's Team (IA), Summer Solstice Bike Race (OH), Copper Triangle (CO), Sunflower Revolution (OH). Visit the Davis Phinney Foundation website to learn how to get involved.

Get Your Guts in Gear (Crohn's and Colitis diseases)

These three-day rides in New York, Washington state and the Midwest raises awareness and funds
for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Bike riders will cover about 210 miles in the Hudson River Valley in New York and Edmonds, traces Whidbey Island, crosses back to the mainland at Deception Pass and explores the Skagit Valley in Washington. Dates: New York -- June 12-14, 2009; Seattle/Pacific Northwest -- Aug. 7-9, 2009, and Midwest -- fall 2009.

Habitat 500 Bike Ride

More than 100 cyclists in this charity ride for Habitat for Humanity tour a different area every year. Southern Minnesota is the location in 2009. They visit and help at worksites that provide affordable housing for people, as well as conduct interviews to raise awareness about housing issues. Dates: July 12-18, 2009.

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

The research foundation offers training to help participates reach a goal of 30, 62 or 100 miles to raise funds for juvenile diabetes research. Rides in 2009 are: Sonoma, CA June 25-28; Kansas City, MO July 31-Aug. 3; Killington, VT Aug. 27-30; Whitefish, MT Sept. 3-6; Death Valley, CA  Oct. 15-18; Tucson, AZ  Nov. 19-22.

LiveStrong Challenge bike rides (Lance Armstrong Foundation)

Bicyclists raising money for cancer research will ride with Lance Armstrong at the four LiveStrong Challenge events in 2009: Seattle, on June 13-14; San Jose, July 11-12, Philadelphia on Aug. 22-23 and Austin on Oct. 23-25. (Ride for the Roses weekend). The events feature a pre-ride sports village on Saturday and choice of a 70 or 100 mile ride on Sunday. Registration and pledge minimums for cyclists; incentives for big donors.

MS Bike Rides (National Multiple Sclerosis Society)

Marking its 29th year, the MS Bike Rides sponsor more than 100 bike tours in the US this year. Some 100,000 participants raised $67 million for the society. Most, but not all, of these bicycle rides are two-day affairs, covering 150 miles. Overnight activities are planned for the longer rides, with camping, high-school gyms, or local hotels. Here's a map with all the MS bike rides, dates and locations for 2009.

Ride to Defeat ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease)

Three rides are scheduled in the West to raise funds for the ALS Association. Rides covering the Central Coast, Wine Country and the Sierra Challenge. Check the website for dates and details.

Ride Without Limits (United Cerebral Palsy)

2009 will be the third year for this fund-raiser for United Cerebral Palsy fund. The bike rides are scheduled in two cities this year. Fund-raising goal minimum is $500. Dates: North Carolina - Sept. 19-20, 2009; Tampa Bay, FL - Nov. 21, 2009. Check the Ride Without Limits website for updates.

Team in Training (Leukemia and Lymphoma)

Instead of sponsoring century rides, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society creates teams that train and raise pledges for participation in local and regional events. For instance, the Washington state chapter is preparing to ride in America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride on June 7, 2009, around Lake Tahoe, Nevada, and Seattle-to-Portland bike ride, July 11-12, 2009. More than $700 million has been raised since 1988. Look for the Team in Training website from the donation page, or check out the Century Ride webpage and insert your zip code.

Tour de Cure (American Diabetes Association)

Greg LeMond is the honorary chairperson of the American Diabetes Association's Tour de Cure again in 2009. The tour is a series of rides in some 80 cities in 40 states nationwide, starting as early as March, so register early. In 2007, 32,000 cyclists participated in the rides, raising more than $13 million. One-day events of 10 to 100 miles. The rides are listed by state at the website.

AIDS Lifecycle (California)

The fund-raiser is produced by and helps benefit the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center is in its eighth year in 2009. This year's 545-mile ride is scheduled from May 31 - June 6, 2009.  Register soon; participants must raise a minimum $2,500.

AIDS Rochester Red Ribbon Ride (New York)

Six distances of 5 to 100 miles offered to bike riders. Starting in Genesee Valley Park in Rochester, the route will take cyclists around the Genesee River Valley and through Letchworth State Park. Registration is $15, plus $300 donations. Fully supported throughout. Continental breakfast, lunch and dinner party provided, as well as awards ceremony. Date: September 20, 2009.

Arthritis Foundation's Amgen California Coast Classic

The ride is a 520-mile, 8-day bike tour from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Riders can experience sun, rugged coasts, quiet beaches, lighthouses, giant forests, and famous wineries. Two options: a 6-day, 355-mile ride from San Francisco to Solvang or an 8-day, 520 mile ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Limited to firest 300 registrants. Dates: Oct. 3-10, 2009.

Audi Best Buddies Challenge (California)

The ride supports volunteers form one-on-one relationships with persons with intellectual disabilities to increase self-confidence, encourage social inclusion and enable lifelong friendships. Ride options of 15 to 100 miles. Starts in Carmel and heads down the Pacific Coast Highway. Date: Sept. 12, 2009.

Brita Climate Ride (New York)

This five-day ride raises funds and awareness for Clean Air Cool Planet and Focus The Nation. Cyclists leave New York City and take several pre-arranged rural routes of about 320 miles to Washington DC. Read more at "Climate Ride bike tour raises awareness about global warming." Dates: September 26-30, 2009.

Hershey's Tour de Pink (Pennsylvania)

The chocolateer hosts the 4-day, 220-mile bike from from Hershey, Pennsylvania, to New York City to support the Young Survival Coalition (YSC),  a group of breast cancer survivors under age 40. Dates: Oct. 3-6, 2008.

Hub on Wheels (Boston)

Helps fund technology for Boston public shool students. Three options, 10-50 miles; registration is $45. Date: Sept. 21, 2008.

Journey of Hope (Cross-country)

The Journey of Hope comprises three cross-country bicycle treks in 2009 that begin in either San Francisco or Seattle and end together in Washington, D.C. The event raises funds and awareness for people with disabilities. All the bike riders are members of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. A project of Push America. (Read more about it)

Maryland Brain Injury (Westminster, MD)

The Eat a Peach Challenge Bike Ride is an annual event that raises money for the Brain Injury Association of Maryland. Westminster. Date: Aug. 8, 2009.

Pan-Mass Challenge (Massachusetts)

This is the nation's biggest endurance sports fund-raiser; 4,300 cyclists raised $35 million for Boston's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in 2008. The bike-a-thon participants have a choice of nine different rides, including the original two-day Sturbridge to Provincetown route. Dates: Aug. 1 and 2, 2009.

Pan Ohio Hope Ride

This four-day bicycle tour from Cleveland  to  Cincinnati is back for its second year in 2008.  It features overnight stops in Wooster, Delaware, and Yellow Springs. Raises money for the American Cancer Society's Hope Lodges in Cleveland and Cincinnati. The lodges are temporary homes for persons undergoing cancer treatment. Registration is $150; minimum $2,500 in pledges. The dates are Aug. 7-10, 2008.

Raisin Hope Benefit Ride (Georgia)

Named for Credit Agricole pro cyclist Saul Raisin of Georgia whose career ended with a serious bicycle racing crash in 2006. This charity bike ride raises funds for traumatic brain injury support. The ride is based in Dalton, Georgia, and comprises 4 options of 15 to 62 miles. Date: Sept. 5, 2009.

Rodman Ride for Kids (Massachusetts)

Cyclist choose a bike ride option in southeastern Massachusetts (Foxboro) to raise funds for various children's charities, including those that treat autism, brain injuries and other special needs. Date: September 26, 2009

Stanley Stammpede (Washington)

A two-day bike-a-thon on San Juan and Lopez islands to raise money for the Stanley Stamm Children's Hospital Camp. The camp provides one-week of overnight camping at the foot of the Cascade Mountains to children with special needs that would prevent them from attending other camps. Registration is $50; must raise $150 in pledges. Dates: June 6 and 7, 2009.

Tour de Nine Zero (Texas)

A choice of five rides is preceded by a Friday night spaghetti dinner and camping at the Roaring Springs Ranch Club. The event is geared to raise awareness of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. The five bike rides -- 7, 31, 50, 84, 101 miles -- wind through canyonland. Also the same day at the Highway 70 Garage Sale (garage sales along a 30-mile stretch of highway). It all happens in Roaring Springs, about an hour east of Lubbock. Date: May 2008

Tour du Rouge (Texas-Louisiana)

This is a fund-raiser for the American Red Cross that was routed to roll through areas damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Since that time, Hurricane Gustav and Hurricane Ike have wreaked havoc in that region. This is a new bike tour that covers 495 miles in six days. That route goes from Humble to Beaumont to Cameron, La., Abbeville, La., to Morgan City, to Gonzalez, La., to New Orleans. Entry fee is $100; must raise an addition $2,500. Dates: May 3-8, 2009.

Tri-State Trek

This fund-raiser for treatment of Lou Gehrig's disease -- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) -- comprises 270 miles from Boston to New York. Entering its sixth year in 2008, the ride grossed $220,000 in 2006. Dates: July 24-26, 2009; there's a one-day route available as well.

There are hundreds of local fund-raisers rides as well. In the Northwest and Pacific Coast, find the list of fund-raising rides among the calendars of bicycling events in California, Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

Let me know if I've missed anything, and I'll include it on the list. See my email in upper right.