Ride4Kzoo
Donation protected
Ride4Kzoo is a 325+ mile cross-Michigan bike ride from Port Austin to South Haven taking place September 15-18, 2016. This ride & all donations will benefit the 9 victims & families of the Kalamazoo Cycling Tragedy that occurred on June 7. 100% of the money raised will be donated to the Kalamazoo Strong Organization™.
RedViking Engineering® (my employer) has graciously offered to match contributions dollar-for-dollar up to $500!
Why I Am Doing This
There have been many tragedies plaguing our nation, within the last year especially. When tragedy strikes, communities come together and survivors as well as victims’ families take encouragement from knowing there are people who care. In response to the Kalamazoo Cycling Tragedy, the community placed 5 bikes painted white, one for each cyclist killed, at the roadside where the accident occurred. Flowers, ornaments, and handwritten notes were also placed along the fence near the bicycles.
To show additional support for the survivors and victims’ families, I decided to do this charity ride. My hope is that this act of service will bring encouragement to the families and demonstrate sympathy for the felt loss that has occurred through this event. Please join me in supporting them. Prayers and donations are very much appreciated. Messages of encouragement for the survivors and victims’ families can be submitted to the Kalamazoo Strong Foundation or written in the comments below.
This ride and the donations raised serves as an act of kindness that I am hoping will encourage the people impacted by the Kalamazoo Cycling Tragedy. The tragedies in the Kzoo area have weighed heavily on my heart and I want a way to give back to the community that helped mold me into the person I am today.
Opportunity To Join Me
The overall length of the ride is a bit ambitious for me personally, as I’m still somewhat new to long distance cycling. If you wish to join me in the ride, whether that be a portion or the full ride, you are more than welcome to; please contact me at [email redacted].
Details
For biking safety, this ride was mapped out to follow trails as much as possible and take place during daylight (7 am to 7 pm). Over the first 3 days, the ride will be approximately 90-100 miles per day, with a stop in Kalamazoo on Saturday evening. Sunday, we will finish the ride via the Kal-Haven Trail ending in South Haven.
All riders will be responsible for their own transportation to & from the event as well as lodging each night.
Dates will be Thursday through Sunday, 9/15 - 9/18/2016.
Tentative schedule
Thursday 9/15, 7 am - 6 pm
Port Austin to Port Huron, MI (~90 miles)
Friday 9/16, 7 am - 7 pm
Port Huron to Pinckney, MI (~100 miles)
Saturday 9/17, 7 am - 7 pm
Pinckney to Kalamazoo, MI (~100 miles)
Sun 9/18, 9 am - 2 pm
Kalamazoo to South Haven, MI (~40 miles)
(I plan on continuing on in the event of rain. In the case of extreme weather, alternate dates will be the following week: 9/22 – 9/25/2016.)
My name is John Beach and although I now reside in Southeast Michigan, my heart has always been with Kalamazoo after attending Western Michigan University. Please join me in bringing encouragement to the families of the great community of Kalamazoo!
Please note this is NOT an official fundraising event and as such, there is no cost to participate. Donations & the bike ride are totally separate. All riders are responsible for their own safety, food, water, items, etc and I cannot guarantee your health & safety. Each rider is responsible for following all applicable traffic and safety laws. Medical personnel will not be provided by myself.
RedViking Engineering® (my employer) has graciously offered to match contributions dollar-for-dollar up to $500!
Why I Am Doing This
There have been many tragedies plaguing our nation, within the last year especially. When tragedy strikes, communities come together and survivors as well as victims’ families take encouragement from knowing there are people who care. In response to the Kalamazoo Cycling Tragedy, the community placed 5 bikes painted white, one for each cyclist killed, at the roadside where the accident occurred. Flowers, ornaments, and handwritten notes were also placed along the fence near the bicycles.
To show additional support for the survivors and victims’ families, I decided to do this charity ride. My hope is that this act of service will bring encouragement to the families and demonstrate sympathy for the felt loss that has occurred through this event. Please join me in supporting them. Prayers and donations are very much appreciated. Messages of encouragement for the survivors and victims’ families can be submitted to the Kalamazoo Strong Foundation or written in the comments below.
This ride and the donations raised serves as an act of kindness that I am hoping will encourage the people impacted by the Kalamazoo Cycling Tragedy. The tragedies in the Kzoo area have weighed heavily on my heart and I want a way to give back to the community that helped mold me into the person I am today.
Opportunity To Join Me
The overall length of the ride is a bit ambitious for me personally, as I’m still somewhat new to long distance cycling. If you wish to join me in the ride, whether that be a portion or the full ride, you are more than welcome to; please contact me at [email redacted].
Details
For biking safety, this ride was mapped out to follow trails as much as possible and take place during daylight (7 am to 7 pm). Over the first 3 days, the ride will be approximately 90-100 miles per day, with a stop in Kalamazoo on Saturday evening. Sunday, we will finish the ride via the Kal-Haven Trail ending in South Haven.
All riders will be responsible for their own transportation to & from the event as well as lodging each night.
Dates will be Thursday through Sunday, 9/15 - 9/18/2016.
Tentative schedule
Thursday 9/15, 7 am - 6 pm
Port Austin to Port Huron, MI (~90 miles)
Friday 9/16, 7 am - 7 pm
Port Huron to Pinckney, MI (~100 miles)
Saturday 9/17, 7 am - 7 pm
Pinckney to Kalamazoo, MI (~100 miles)
Sun 9/18, 9 am - 2 pm
Kalamazoo to South Haven, MI (~40 miles)
(I plan on continuing on in the event of rain. In the case of extreme weather, alternate dates will be the following week: 9/22 – 9/25/2016.)
My name is John Beach and although I now reside in Southeast Michigan, my heart has always been with Kalamazoo after attending Western Michigan University. Please join me in bringing encouragement to the families of the great community of Kalamazoo!
Please note this is NOT an official fundraising event and as such, there is no cost to participate. Donations & the bike ride are totally separate. All riders are responsible for their own safety, food, water, items, etc and I cannot guarantee your health & safety. Each rider is responsible for following all applicable traffic and safety laws. Medical personnel will not be provided by myself.
Organizer and beneficiary
Jonathon Beach
Organizer
Clawson, MI
Kalamazoo Strong Organization
Beneficiary
