Bicycle Coalition and Major Force Youth Cycling

In the United States, cycling is traditionally a rich, white, male-dominated sport that has many institutionalized racist practices and beliefs. At Penn State Cycling, we believe that we can improve the sport's culture by making cycling more inclusive and diverse. In response, the Philadelphia Bicycle Coalition's Youth Cycling program and the Pittsburgh Major Taylor Cycling Club's Major Force program both work to increase diversity in the cycling community. By aiding new riders who would otherwise not have equipment or mentors, these programs work to level out the inequities that such a costly sport can develop. In light of recent events and expositions inside and outside the cycling community, we want to help make a change by starting an annual Everesting fundraiser in support of both programs.

The rules of the Everesting challenge are simple: riders and teams must climb and descend a single hill repeatedly until they have climbed the total elevation of Mount Everest; they must complete these climbs consecutively. Many cyclists consider it to be one of the most difficult challenges imaginable, with many attempts taking well over 10 hours. It's a rigorous test of stamina even for professionals, and we're hoping to tackle it together on a climb in the State College area.

Our goal is to raise $8000 for BC Youth Cycling & PMTCC Major Force; furthermore, we want each rider and team to successfully climb the 29,029' vertical gain. We're going to need your support on both of these fronts, and we greatly appreciate anything you can provide.