2011 Charity Rides
June 1–5
TOUR DE KINGDOM
25, 50, 75, 100 miles
This year the popular tour is expanded from two days to up to five days of cycling in the hilly Northeast Kingdom, and now branches into New Hampshire and Quebec’s Eastern Townships. Each weekday features four guided rides with long and short options. Saturday and Sunday is the Double Century Challenge, guaranteed to grind your gears. There are shorter distances on the weekend as well. Rides start and end at the Indoor Recreation of Orleans County facility in Derby. Benefits IROC’s Healthy Changes Initiative for people suffering from chronic conditions.
More info: Pete Kellaway, 334-0223, www.tourdekingdom.org.
June 11
CHAMP RIDE FOR VERMONT CARES
12, 25, 50, 70, 100 miles
Rides begin and end at Kingsland Bay State Park on Lake Champlain in Ferrisburgh. All routes are through rolling farm country with beautiful views of the Green Mountains, Adirondacks, and Lake Champlain. The Champ Ride raises awareness about HIV/AIDS. Individuals and teams are welcome.
More info: Roy, roy@vtcares.org, (800) 649-2437 or 863-2437, www.vtcares.org.
June 19
GREAT RIVERS CENTURY
25, 50, 80, 100 miles
The rides start at the Cavendish Elementary School in Proctorsville and raise money for Windsor County Youth Services. You can expect minimal climbing, lots of scenic riverside riding, waterfalls, covered bridges, aid stations, and post-event food.
More info: Rick Trainer at Mountain Cycology in Ludlow, 228-2722, cyco@tds.net.
June 25
KIDSAFE ISLAND RIDE METRIC CENTURY
100, 40, 10 kilometers
The KidSafe Island Ride is a metric century through the scenic Champlain Islands, along the shores of Lake Champlain, beginning and ending at Grand Isle State Park in Grand Isle. The event benefits the KidSafe Collaborative of Chittenden County, a nonprofit that works to improve the community’s response to child abuse and neglect.
More info: Sally Borden, 863-9626, www.kidsafevt.org.
June 25
TOUR DE BOOK
13, 32, 60 miles
The Tour de Book benefits the Windham County Reads’ award-winning bookmobile program. The beautiful river-valley rides include routes for dedicated cyclists and a family-oriented ride. Rides start at the Brattleboro Petting Farm in Brattleboro.
More info: 257-5725 or wcreads@sover.net, www.windhamcountyreads.org.
June 26
CENTRAL VERMONT CYCLING TOUR
15, 30 or 60 miles
Help support the Cross Vermont Trail by cycling on some of central Vermont’s most bucolic dirt roads. Enjoy delicious local Vermont food along the way. Rides begin and end at Morse Farm in East Montpelier. This year’s event celebrates the memory of David Blumenthal.
More info: Eric Scharnberg, 498-0079, eric@crossvermont.org, www.centralvtcyclingtour.org.
July 8–9
THE PROUTY ULTIMATE
200 miles
This two-day, double century, in its fourth year, supports cancer research and patient services at Dartmouth’s Norris Cotton Cancer Center. On day one, cyclists bike 100 miles along a challenging route from Manchester, N.H., to Hanover, N.H. On day two, riders join the Prouty Century Ride (see next listing). Participants start in Hanover and travel on a 100-mile loop through the Connecticut River Valley.
More info: www.theprouty.org or call (800) 226-8744.
July 9
THE PROUTY BIKE RIDE & CHALLENGE WALK
20, 35, 50, 100 miles
The 30th annual Prouty Memorial Century begins and ends in Hanover, N.H., and raises money for cancer research at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Norris Cotton Cancer Center. Besides the bike rides, various walks are an option, and for the first time, participants can row in sculls and sweeps at several distances.
More info: www.theprouty.org or call (800) 226-8744.
July 10
CHAMP’S CHALLENGE FOR CYSTIC FIBROSIS
7, 40, 60, 80 miles
Champ’s Challenge starts and finishes at Basin Harbor Club on Lake Champlain in Vergennes. All routes have sweeping vistas of the lake and the Champlain Valley. Registration includes a lakeside barbecue hosted by Basin Harbor Club.
More info: Debra Maloney-Evans, 485-8347, www.champschallenge.org.
July 16
MOUNT WASHINGTON CENTURY
40, 80, 100 miles
All three rides begin and end at the Tin Mountain Nature Learning Center in Albany, N.H. The century, which encircles the base of Mount Washington, includes several challenging climbs in the White Mountains. Proceeds benefit the Tin Mountain Conservation Center.
More info: Tin Mountain, (603) 447-6991, www.tinmountain.org.
July 24
TOUR DE GRACE
19 miles
This downhill ride from Stratton Mountain Resort to Grace Cottage Hospital is fun for all ages—although it is highly more enjoyable on a hybrid or mountain bike than a road bike. Rides start between 8:30 and 10 a.m., and proceeds benefit Grace Cottage Hospital. Register at www.gracecottage.org/events.
July 30
ONION RIVER CENTURY RIDE
111 miles, 110 kilometers, 24 miles
Rides begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Montpelier Pool with a police escort through Montpelier. Rides go through Adamant (24 miles), Hardwick and Elmore (110 kilometers), and the Northeast Kingdom (111 miles), by picturesque farmland and rolling countryside. Proceeds benefit the Kellogg Hubbard Library.
More info: Carrie, 229-9409, www.onionriver.com.
August 6–7
GREEN MOUNTAIN GETAWAY MS BIKE TOUR
20, 40, 75, 100 miles
Ride Saturday and/or Sunday (20 mile option only on Saturday). Cyclists begin and end at Castleton State College in Castleton and raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The routes are different on Saturday and Sunday but all have rolling, scenic farmland.
More info: Ashley Pence, 871-5696, www.bikemsgne.org.
August 13
HARPOON POINT TO POINT RIDE
25, 50, 115 miles
A day of bicycle rides across Vermont to benefit the Vermont Foodbank. The 115-mile ride starts at the Catamount Outdoor Center in Williston. The 50-miler starts in Bethel, and the 25-miler is a loop out of Windsor. All riders finish at the Harpoon Brewery in Windsor, with a barbecue, live music, and fresh beer!
More info: (888) HARPOON or www.harpoonbrewery.com/pointtopoint.
August 28
RACE TO THE TOP OF VERMONT
The Catamount Trail Association puts on this annual fundraiser. Participants can bike, run, or hike to the top of Mount Mansfield on the Toll Road. The course is 4.3 miles long and climbs 2,550 vertical feet. Participants are rewarded with one of the most spectacular views in the east, overlooking three states and Canada.
More info: Jim Fredericks, 864-5794, jfredericks@catamounttrail.org, www.catamounttrail.org.
September 10
KELLY BRUSH CENTURY RIDE
28, 50, 65, 85, 100 miles
Former Middlebury College ski team member Kelly Brush started a foundation to prevent spinal cord injury and support research after she was paralyzed in a ski-racing crash. This annual fundraiser, which is the largest charity ride in the state, includes a division for handcyclists. Start and finish is at the Middlebury College football stadium in Middlebury. Routes are through rolling farm country and along Lake Champlain.
More info: www.kellybrushfoundation.org.
September 17
TERRY & BEN CLAASSEN MEMORIAL NORTHEAST KINGDOM LAKES CENTURY TOUR
25, 50, 75, 100 miles
These rides raise money for the Orleans County Citizen Advocacy, a nonprofit that brings together volunteers and people with disabilities. Rides begin and end at Crystal Lake State Park in Barton and go past several lakes in the Northeast Kingdom.
More info: Ellen Bowen, 873-3285, ellen.bowen@orleanscountycitizenadvocacy.org or www.orleanscountycitizenadvocacy.org.
September 18
TOUR DE FARMS
10, 25, 30 miles
The Tour de Farms offers a choice of three bike routes that wind through the beautiful countryside of the Champlain Valley. Along the way, bicyclists stop at a variety of farms to sample foods grown and prepared by local producers, such as cheeses, breads, yogurt, cookies, wine, and cider. At the conclusion of the ride, an AppleFest offers music and more local foods! The Tour de Farms is a fundraiser for the three nonprofit groups that co-organize it: Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition, Rural Vermont, and Addison County Re-localization.
More info: Nancy Schulz, 225-8904, nancy@vtbikeped.org, www.vtbikeped.org.
September 25
VERMONT 50-MILE MOUNTAIN BIKE OR ULTRA RUN
The Vermont 50 takes you over 50 miles of dirt roads and trails, including private land only open for the event in south/central Vermont, beginning and ending at Ascutney Mountain Resort in Brownsville. All proceeds go to Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports. Register online only at www.vermont50.com, starting at 7 p.m. on May 25.
More info: Mike Silverman, (603) 381-9993, allenstreet.mike@gmail.com, www.vermont50.com.
October 1
ALLEN CLARK MEMORIAL HILL CLIMB
A grueling time trial up Appalachian Gap, the Allen Clark climbs 1,600 vertical feet in just 6.2 miles. Starts at the intersection of Routes 100 and 17 in Waitsfield. Benefits Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports.
More info: climb@achillclimb.org or www.achillclimb.org.
October 1
COCHRAN 100 BIKE RIDE
50 or 100 miles
Rides begin at 9 a.m. and start and finish at Cochran’s Ski Area in Richmond. Routes pass through valleys in the northern Green Mountains. Proceeds benefit kids’ learn-to-ski programs.
More info: www.cochranskiarea.com.
October 1
PEAK SEASON CENTURY RIDE
25, 60, 100 miles
Enjoy the fall foliage while supporting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society on a ride around Lake George, N.Y. The 100-mile scenic route will have supported rest stops, and bicycle mechanics will be on hand for any necessary maintenance. A 60-mile ride originating in Ticonderoga, N.Y., is also available. There’s a 25-mile family ride too. Registration is limited to 500.
More info: Gary Olsen, golsen4@nycap.rr.com, www.peakseasoncentury.org.
