By Chris Burich, Advocacy Associate (and first-time century rider!)
$15,615!
That’ is’s how much eight members of the Bike Newport team raised to support Bike Newport’s programs for children with autism and disABILITIES at this year’s New England Bike to the Beach ride. For 14 years, Bike Newport has been partnering with the national non-profit to fund our programs and raise awareness for autism support. Currently, we raise funds for our Life Skills program at Thompson Middle School, which provides inclusive cycling programming and career exploration. Students on the autism spectrum and with varied physical or cognitive challenges learn bike mechanics, develop riding skills, and access adaptive bicycles/tricycles to experience the joy of riding!
This year was my second time taking part in this impactful fundraising event, but the first time I would take on the 100-mile route from Boston to Newport. In the months leading up to the event, I connected with family and friends, old and new, to reach my goal of raising $1,000. The support I received was truly heartwarming. Once my supporters learned of the local impact of their potential donation, they went above and beyond to help me surpass my goal: $1,460 for Bike Newport’s programs.
In all, our Bike Newport team raised $15,615 before we even got on our saddles. Our rockstar board member and seasoned fundraiser, Missy Bodnar, provided the team with a huge boost, fundraising over $10,000 — an ambitious goal she set from the beginning.
It was dark and cold when I left Boston University’s Nickerson Field at 5am on September 19th. After a few bananas to get me started, I rode through the sleepy, empty streets of Boston with around 75 other riders, passing by dedicated supporters and a local news crew covering the ride and its local impact.
The weather was perfect and the sunrise near Walpole, Massachusetts made me stop and admire the early morning stillness. This was the first of six rest stops, where local partners provided fuel for us riders. Each stop was an opportunity to stock up on carbs and electrolytes while learning and meeting the people behind autism programs across the New England region.
By 8 o’clock in the morning, I reached the 60-mile mark in Woonsocket, where I was greeted by the rest of the Bike Newport team, who were preparing for the start of their trek. We stopped for a quick group photo before I continued on my way, eager to ride the beautiful Blackstone River Greenway and East Bay Bike Path for the next 40 miles.
After refueling and taking a much needed rest in Bristol, I pedaled across the Mount Hope Bridge with views spanning for what seemed like forever. Soon after, I was excited to pass by our Executive Director, Bari Freeman, who was volunteering at the Sakonnet Coastal Bike and Stroll while simultaneously cheering on the Bike to the Beach riders. This open-road event in Portsmouth was happening at the same time, welcoming neighbors near and far to enjoy a car-free experience.
With only 10 miles to go, I received a warm welcome from Bike Newport’s volunteers, who helped staff the final rest stop at Aquidneck Pizza in Middletown. The affirmations and a slice of pizza helped me ride the final stretch when regrets of sitting on a bike seat for six-plus hours started to set in. But when I turned the final corner and arrived at the finish line with Bike to the Beach members cheering and yelling, I knew a dip in the Newport harbor, a beer (maybe two), and some more pizza were in my immediate future.
All in all, this day is one our Bike Newport team looks forward to each year. Raising funds and awareness for our programs, meeting partners doing similar work, and riding a bicycle are activities our organization is well versed in. Doing all of these things at once while enjoying the gorgeous views of Massachusetts and Rhode Island is more than a treat.
We would love to expand our team next year, so if you are interested, it is not too early to reach out! Our Full Moon Rides, spanning from April to October, are a great way to build confidence on the road and meet other neighbors who are familiar with riding long distances. Bike to the Beach offers 20, 60, and 100 mile routes with the option to form a relay team. Whatever speed and distance works for you, it works for Bike Newport and Bike to the Beach. Learn more about Bike to the Beach.
And if you’d like to donate to our team and help us reach our $20,000 goal, our fundraiser is still open — thank you!
Bike Newport