RAIN CAN’T DAMPEN "RIDE THE RIDGE"
Blue Ridge School’s 4th annual mountain bike race had record participation
03/28/2010, St. George, Virginia -- Sunday’s rain did not stop mountain bikers from coming out in droves to participate in Blue Ridge School Outdoor Program’s 4th Annual “Ride the Ridge” mountain bike race. 90 riders came out in total to compete. The race, which offers no prize, is to benefit the non-profit organization World Bicycle Relief. This year, with the most riders ever, the race rose over $2,000.
“We are so happy this event has picked-up some attention in the area. It is great to raise awareness about the organization and how a simple gift of a bicycle can have a dramatic effect on a person’s life” says Karen Fink, who works closely with World Bicycle Relief and helped organize the event with Blue Ridge School’s Outdoor Program. World Bicycle Relief provides simple, sustainable transportation to disaster and/or poverty stricken areas of the world. Through the donation of bicycles, the organization fulfills the basic need to provide transportation to access healthcare, education and economic development.
The 7 mile “Ride the Ridge” loop is one of the hardest in the Virginia Off-Road Series. Climbs of over 1,600 feet each lap and rough terrain makes the course very challenging. “I’m lucky because I get to ride these trails all the time, but it doesn’t make it any easier come race day. Especially with the mud, it’s like riding in glue” said Mason Schmitt who won the High School Beginner Division.
Category results: Nick Waite, Expert/Pro Men; Danelle Grant, Expert/Pro Women; Ken Jefferson, Expert/Pro Vet (35+); Joe Doherty, Beginner Men; Mason Schmitt, High School Beginner; Connor Bell, High School Sport; Kevin Murray, Single Speed; Jeff Passman, Sport Men Vet; Aaron Angel, Sport Men; Jennifer Whedbee, Sport Women. Results and times will be posted on www.blueridgeschool.com/ridetheridge soon.
For more information about Blue Ridge School visit www.blueridgeschool.com. For information regarding World Bicycle Relief visit their website at www.worldbicyclerelief.com.
Blue Ridge School is an all boys, all boarding preparatory school located 23 miles northwest of Charlottesville, Va. whose mission is to teach boys to reach their personal potential through personalized, structured, innovated learning practices.