People Cycle

On September 1, 2024 I will be competing in Badlands, a 492 mile unsupported ultracycling gravel race from Granada to Almeria, Spain. During this amazing opportunity and adventure I am hoping to raise $5,000 to support the Richmond Cycling Corps NICA race season and additional programing. Funding such as this helps the participants experience the sense of community that the bicycle can foster, gain confidence and a sense of empowerment, and learn to set goals through guided and regular practice. These opportunities have the potential to alter the trajectory of their lives.

I am pledging $2 per mile. I am asking for your support as well. Please pledge today - any dollar amount per mile or make a flat donation. Every dollar makes a difference!

The Richmond Cycling Corps is a local nonprofit organization that uses cycling as a tool to create engagement with youth living in Richmond’s East End. While cycling is one of their main programs, at the heart, the organization is serving disadvantaged youth who live in public housing.

RCC's mission is to educate and empower the lives of Richmond youth living in the heart of the East End by constantly pivoting towards relevant outreach.

Decades of policies and actions have led to a dramatic level of concentrated poverty in the East End. Public housing structures have kept a majority Black population living well below the poverty line in places like Mosby Court, Fairfield Court, and Creighton Court. Richmond now has the sixth-highest concentration of public housing for cities with populations exceeding 200,000.

RCC has been working primarily with BIPOC youth living in the East End for over a decade. The need for these children has not slowed down. The issues that perpetuate poverty are so intertwined with all of daily life that it is hard to escape the cycle for youth that are born into these structures.

In addition to working with a focus group of youth, the "team", Richmond Cycling Corps partners with other organizations that serve at-risk-youth to provide access to cycling through equipment loan and guided rides.

The Kickstand, a bicycle rental shop uniquely located near the James River Park System and the start of the Virginia Capital Trail, is another spoke of RCC's programmatic efforts. Through The Kickstand, RCC provides workforce development opportunities for youth in Richmond's public housing neighborhoods including employment with on-the-job training, experience working with customers, and learning about business operations. Learn more about Richmond Cycling Corps at their website here: https://www.richmondcyclingcorps.org/

Friends, I'm raising money to support Richmond Cycling Corps and help them buy smart trainers for their new space in Shockoe Bottom.

Smart trainers are essential to RCC's mission because it gives the team a way to stay sharp in the off-season. These trainers will give the kids something to ride when it's raining, too cold to ride outside, or even snowing. They'll be able to train like the pros and work off stress and get a good workout in year-round.

I'm starting at $200, which is my portion of one trainer for RCC. I'm also working with some team members and when all 3 of us hit $200, we're officially registered in a fun race up Libbie Hill Saturday, March 4.

Come on out and cheer us on once you've donated and thank you for your support of RCC. These trainers are going to mean the world to the team.

Please share this link with your friends!

More information about Richmond Cycling Corps (Legacy Academy): To educate and empower the lives of Richmond youth living in the heart of the East End by constantly pivoting towards relevant outreach.