When you attend most bicycling events, you're probably doing more than just improving your health. A nonprofit group usually gets a share of the event proceeds.
But 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.
Many of the larger health-related nonprofits have a series of rides in different venues throughout the US. They include Multiple Sclerosis, Leukemia, Lung, Diabetes, and LiveStrong bike tours. Here, in no particular order, are some of them:
Bicycle ride series:
MS Bike Rides (National Multiple Sclerosis Society)
Marking its 28th year, the MS Bike Rides sponsor about 100 bike tours in 48 states this year. Last year, 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 .pdf with all of the 2007 MS Bike Rides.
Tour de Cure (American Diabetes Association)
Greg LeMond is the honorary chairperson of the American Diabetes Association's Tour de Cure. The tour is a series of rides in some 84 cities in 40 states nationwide, generally from April through June, so register early. In 2005, 30,000 cyclists participated in the rides, raising more than $10,000. One-day events of 15 to 100 miles. The rides are listed by state at the website.
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 events. For instance, the Washington state chapter is preparing for the 200-mile Seattle to Portland (STP) ride (July 14 and 15) and America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride on June 3 around Lake Tahoe, Nevada. More than $660 million has been raised since 1988. Look for the Team in Training website from the donation page.
LiveStrong Challenge bike rides (Lance Armstrong Foundation)
Last year, bicyclists raised money for cancer research at LiveStrong bike rides in Austin, Denver, Orange County, Philadelphia and Portland. Those who raised more than $15,000 were invited to participate in the Ride for the Roses in Austin. The 2007 series is scheduled to be released in January or February. Last year's rides (10 to 100 miles) were each preceded by a LiveStrong Village exhibition area.
Update for 2007: Orange County and Denver were dropped from the itinerary for 2007. Cities and dates are Philadelphia — Aug. 25-26; Portland, Ore. — Sept. 29-30; and Austin — Oct. 12-14.
Lung association chapters in 17 states sponsor charity ride events in 2007. They range for such rides as the CowaLunga bike ride Aug. 4-6 to the 15-day Ride the Pacific Coast bike tour from Seattle to San Francisco in September. There's also the fully supported Big Ride Across America from June 25 to August 11. Check here for bike trek locations.
One-shot bicycle rides:
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 sixth year. This year's 545-mile ride is scheduled from June 3 – 9. Register soon; participants must raise a minimum $2,500.
Pan-Mass Challenge (Massachusetts)
This is the nation's biggest endurance sports fund-raiser; 4,300 cyclists raised $26 million for Boston's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in 2006. The bike-a-thon participants have a choice of nine different rides, including the original two-day Sturbridge to Provincetown route. Slated for August 4 and 5, 2007.
There are hundreds of local fund-raisers rides as well. In the Northwest, find the list of fund-raising rides among the calendars of bicycling events in Washington, Oregon and Idaho.
This fund-raiser for treatment of Lou Gehrig's disease — Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) — comprises 270 miles from Boston to New York. Entering its fifth year, the ride grossed $220,000 in 2006. The dates are July 20-22 2007; there's a one-day route available as well.
Let me know if I've missed anything, and I'll include it on the list. See my email in upper right.
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