BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — The PeopleForBikes Ride on Chicago reached the Windy City on Monday and exceeded its fundraising goal of $100,000.
The ride was founded in 2011 by pro racer Tim Johnson. In previous editions, the ride wrapped up at the National Bike Summit in Washington, D.C. In part because the summit was held earlier in March this year, making difficult riding weather more likely, the ride was moved to the Midwest.
The five-day ride started in Kansas City, Mo., traveled east to St. Louis, then north to Chicago. Twenty-five riders of varying backgrounds, professions and abilities, including Kickstarter co-founder Charles Adler, retired pro racer Christian Vande Velde and Skratch Labs founder Allen Lim, averaged around 100 miles a day.
"On this ride, we get to see firsthand how bikes are being integrated into town and city planning," said Johnson. "It's clear how further investment in bike infrastructure can make a big difference in communities across the country. My hope is that the racing community will increase their support of these and other important projects."
Ride sponsors included SRAM, Strava, VW, Whole Foods, Abus, Cannondale, Skratch Labs, Firefly Bicycles, New Belgium Brewing, Skoop and Tenzing Wine & Spirits.
PeopleForBikes plans to repeat the ride in 2015.
