Ride For Hope 2007
Thank you so much!! We raised more than $200,000
One hundred cyclists between the ages of 4 and 74 gathered in Eleuthera on May 5th to participate in VMG Racing’s 2007 Ride for Hope. By day’s end the riders had logged more than 4,000 miles collectively along the event route which stretched from the North Eleuthera Airport to Palmetto Point.
With participant sponsorships still coming in VMG Racing is very proud to report that more than $200,000 has been raised for the benefit of the Cancer Society of the Bahamas. “We are absolutely thrilled with the level of success of the event,” said Stephen Holowesko, President of VMG Racing. “We have a wonderful group of corporate sponsors, a growing and enthusiastic bunch of cyclists of all ages and abilities, and very dedicated volunteers who make this all possible. We could not do it without the involvement of any one of those groups.”
The day began with cyclists gathering in front of White Crown Aviation in North Eleuthera. Young and old, seasoned and amateur, busied themselves with preparations that included checking tires, filling water bottles, and stocking up on specially supplied snack foods design to keep energy levels at a maximum for the journeys ahead. Susan Larson, Coordinator of the Ride for Hope, calls the last hour before the start one her favorite times of the Ride. “I look around at all the participants and the volunteers and I am humbled by what is taking place. Yes, they have all come together to support a great cause, but you just know that some of them are carrying memories of a loved one lost to or battling cancer, and some of them are cancer survivors themselves.” Adds Larson, “It is relatively easy to organize the event. I am inspired by the cyclists and what they do as they are the ones who bring the Ride for Hope to life and make it so successful.”
As 10 am neared, the “big boys” – those going the full distance – congregated eagerly at the starting line. They were given final instructions and sent off with a wish for a safe ride and great clapping and cheering from the other participants and volunteers. Ten minutes later those going 75 miles were sent off similarly, and ten minutes later still those going 50, and then 30, and then 20 were also sent on their way. The last group to leave was the tiny tots and their parents. These youngest participants were encouraged to go “as far as they wanted to.” Some made it under their own power to the ice cream shop 3 miles away while others did not (quite). “Each is welcomed across the finish-line as a champion,” said Larson, “as we truly want them to understand that it is not about the miles, it is simply all about participating.”
VMG’s Pro Cyclist Lee Farmer finished his 100 miles in a blistering 4 hours, 20 minutes. Lee called his journey a “training ride” that was “quite fun actually.” For the remainder of the day participants crossed the finish line in groups and sometimes alone. For all, the success of their journey, no matter how long it took them to complete, was very much evident on their face. “That, of course,” said Susan Larson, “is my other favorite time of the Ride for Hope – watching each participant cross the line beaming.”
The Ride for Hope was first launched in 2006. Said Holowesko, “While much of our company’s efforts are directed at the professional level of sports, VMG Racing is also committed to promoting cycling generally in the Bahamas as well as giving back to our community. It was in pursuit of these goals that we presented the idea of the Ride for Hope and we could not be more pleased with the result.” One hundred and two cyclists participated in the inaugural 2006 event and $185,000 was raised for the benefit of the Cancer Society.
The 2007 Ride for Hope major corporate sponsors included: Bahamas Ferries, Holowesko Foundation, Lyford Cay Foundation, Million Air Nassau, Pictet Bank and Trust, RBC Private Banking, Royal Bank of Canada. Additional support was provided by Air Routing International, Chevron Global Aviation, Contrax Limited, Goodfellow Farms, Holowesko Realty, Holowesko & Company, JAR Cycling, Lutra Pure Water, Nautilus Water, New World Aviation, The SignMan, Tribune Media Group, Tropical Aviation Distributors, Tropical Shipping, and White Crown Aviation.
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