Ride a bike and help change a life. You don't necessarily have to raise hundreds of dollars or ride super long distances to participate in charity bike rides. The greater Pittsburgh area offers a wide variety of charitable biking opportunties for everyone - from the weekend cyclist and families to the hard-core fitness enthusiast.
Pittsburgh W.A.R. Against Hunger - April 28, 2007
15 Mile Walk & Ride
Rainbow Kitchen is declaring W.A.R. against hunger! Walk and Ride Against Hunger is a 15 mile walk and ride to and from Elizabeth Township, sponsored by UPMC Health Plan & Rainbow Kitchen Community Services.
Pedal Pittsburgh - May 20, 2007
A fun, educational bicycle tour of the neighborhoods and design landmarks that make Pittsburgh unique, Pedal Pittsburgh benefits the Community Design Center of Pittsburgh, a non-profit organization that helps strengthen Pittsburgh neighborhoods through high quality design. Course options of 15-, 25-, 35-, 50-, and 60-miles mean that everyone can participate.
River & Wind Challenge Bike Tour - June 2, 2007
This one day bike tour along the Allegheny & Laurel Highlands Rail Trail covers the most scenic part of the Allegheny Passage between Confluence and Meyersdale. Whether you choose the 30 or 60-mile option, you will experience spectacular scenery, small waterfalls, fantastic bridges, and historical sites, as well as the windfarms of Garrett, Pennsylvania. Good food, fresh fruit, big cookies and drinks on route, plus a great t-shirt. Benefits the Salvation Army of Somerset.
MS 150 Escape to the Lake - June 9-10, 2007
One of the favorite, although longer, charity rides in the area, this 2-day, 150 mile trek from Pittsburgh (Cranberry area) to the picturesque shores of Lake Erie is sponsored by and benefits The National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Overnight lodging is provided at Allegheny College. You can register as an individual or a team member and a minimum of $200 in pledges is requested for participation. Great volunteer support and food will get you through this challenge in style.
Father's Day Ride & Stride - June 17, 2007
Celebrate Dad this Father's Day by participating in the third annual Father's Day Ride & Stride at Pittsburgh's North Park to benefit Prostate Cancer awareness, education, and research. The event includes a 2 or 5 mile fun walk, as well as scenic cycling courses of 25k, 50k, and 100k lengths. Food, entertainment, and prizes add to the excitement for this important cause.
Pittsburgh Tour de Cure - June 24, 2007
Dust off the bike and ride for diabetes at this annual biking event with distances for all abilities - 8 mile Family Fun Ride & Scenic Tour, 30-mile Fitness Test (with a 20 mi. short-cut option!), 50-mile Training Ride and 100-mile Ultimate Challenge century. Proceeds benefit the American Diabetes Association. Held just north of Pittsburgh, beginning and ending at Seneca Valley HS in Harmony and winding through the scenic back roads of Western Pennsylvania.
Tour de Sewickley Bike Ride - TBA
A ride, not a race, this annual event benefits the Early Learning Institute. 60-mile and 30-mile rides, plus a 5-mile family fun ride and a 2.5 inline skating loop through the charming streets of downtown Sewickley, means that this ride has something to offer for every cyclist.
Keystone Country Ride - July 21-22, 2007
The second of the MS150 rides in Western Pennsylvania, this Multiple Sclerosis Society sponsored ride is a two-day scenic loop between Altoona and State College, Pennsylvania. You can register as an individual or as a team member, with each cyclist agreeing to raise a minimum of $200 in pledges in order to participate. A beautiful and gratifying way to explore the back country roads of rural Pennsylvania.
Cook Forest Ride for Life - September 15, 2007
A fun, fitness filled day for cyclists of all levels, this gently rolling 40-mile loop along the scenic Clarion River is a wonderful way to enjoy the beauty of Cook Forest State Park while raising money to help win the battle against MS. Unlike the MS150 tours, this ride has no minimum pledge requirement - only a nonrefundable $25 registration fee (plus whatever pledge money you choose to raise).
