MIDDLEBURY — Organizers of Vermont’s largest charity bike ride are gearing up for the 14th annual Kelly Brush Ride powered by VBT Bicycling Vacations. It will begin and end in Middlebury on Saturday, Sept. 7.
“Last year 900 participants hit the road for adaptive sports. We are looking forward to another strong turnout with cyclists, handcyclists and, for the second year, golfers showing their support and raising funds for our mission to inspire and empower people with spinal cord injuries to live active lives,” said Zeke Davisson, executive director of the Kelly Brush Foundation.
Funds raised by riders and golfers provide direct support for equipment that gets people with spinal cord injuries out enjoying the activities that enrich their lives, like skiing, basketball, cycling and tennis. To date the foundation has awarded more than 830 people grants in 47 states for adaptive equipment through its Active Fund. The ride also supports the foundation’s ski racing safety program.
Online registration and fundraising are open for both the bike ride and golf events. The event’s fundraising goal is $700,000.
Participants can ride 100-, 50-, 20- or 10-mile routes through the scenic Champlain Valley, and/or play a round of golf at the Ralph Myhre Golf Course at Middlebury College. For those who can’t make it to Vermont, the foundation offers a virtual option that allows participants to take part in the fundraising ride from anywhere.
VBT Bicycling Vacations is proud to be the title sponsor of the Kelly Brush Ride for the eighth year in a row, said Timo Shaw, VBT president.
“The camaraderie and spirit are palpable on the day of the Kelly Brush Ride. VBT is honored to be a part of the excitement surrounding this truly inspirational event,” Shaw said.
For registration and information head online to kellybrushfoundation.org/kellybrushride.
The Kelly Brush Ride powered by VBT Bicycling Vacations is made possible thanks to the generosity of many participants, volunteers and sponsors including.
The Kelly Brush Foundation is a dynamic and growing non-profit that aims to inspire and empower people with spinal cord injuries to be active and works closely with the alpine ski racing community to improve safety. The organization was founded in 2006 by Kelly and her family after Kelly sustained a spinal cord injury while racing in an NCAA alpine ski race while on the Middlebury College ski team. To date the Kelly Brush Foundation has awarded more than 830 adaptive equipment grants to people in 47 states.