The 7th Annual 50 Mile Ride for Rwanda will be held on Saturday April 27, 2013 in Orange County CA. Event organizers expect 1000 fun-loving and adventurous mountain bikers to join this year’s event. What began as a 50th birthday ride for one of the event founders has become an annual tradition for the Orange County cycling community. The Rwanda Ride raises funds for two non-profits: World Bicycle Relief and Team Rwanda Cycling.
The Rwanda Ride is different than most mountain biking events. First of all, the event is a “ride”, not a race. Three different route options are available: the signature 50 mile route, a moderate but still challenging 25 mile route, and a 10 mile route suitable for casual and beginning mountain bikers. Riders participate for a lot of reasons: some for the challenge of riding further on a mountain bike than ever before, some because they love the Rwanda cause, some for the fun of sharing an epic day with their best riding buddies. Second, the event is a fundraiser. To date, the ride has raised over $320,000 for Rwanda causes. These funds are used to further the economic development of Rwanda through initiatives based on the bicycle as a tool and symbol of hope.
The 50 Mile Ride for Rwanda supports two non-profits: World Bicycle Relief and Team Rwanda Cycling. World Bicycle Relief is dedicated to providing access to independence and livelihood through The Power of Bicycles. With over 120,000 bicycles in the field and more than 750 field mechanics trained, World Bicycle Relief is changing lives across Africa. World Bicycle Relief (WBR) has assembly facilities in Angola, Kenya, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe and to-date has supplied bicycles through programs in Angola, Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. But, not Rwanda – until now! Rwanda Ride organizers are proud to announce that funds raised in this year’s Rwanda Ride event will be instrumental in getting WBR’s “Buffalo Bikes” into the country of Rwanda for the VERY FIRST TIME!
The Rwanda Ride also supports Team Rwanda Cycling. Team Rwanda Cycling is a story about redemption, hope, and second chances. Tom Ritchey, renowned mountain bike industry pioneer, first visited Rwanda in 2005. Awed by the natural beauty of Rwanda, he was also deeply moved by the people and their stories of reconciliation and hope. Tom knew he could use his talent and resources to help make a difference. He founded Project Rwanda, a nonprofit that created and distributed cargo-bearing utility bikes to impoverished coffee growers. In addition, Tom recruited his long-time friend and cycling legend Jock Boyer to identify, coach, and mentor the young men who would become Rwanda’s first National Cycling Team. The mission of Team Rwanda Cycling is to search for and develop young Rwandan talent to empower, enable and inspire not just individuals but families, communities and a nation through cycling.
Registration is now open for the 7th Annual Rwanda Ride. For the first time ever, the event will start and finish at the Oakley World Headquarters in Foothill Ranch CA. Depending on whether riders choose the 50, 25, or 10 mile course, their route could include trails through O’Neill Park, Caspers Park, Tijeras Creek and Arroyo Trabuco. After they finish, riders and their friends and family are invited to stick around at Oakley for the post-ride party, gourmet food trucks, live band and huge raffle prize drawing. Event sponsors have donated over $25,000 in prizes including a complete Santa Cruz carbon bike (winner gets to choose the model and size), a complete Shimano XTR groupo, two Spinergy wheelsets, and much more. For more information and to register for the event, please visit www.50mileride.com .