SAN DIEGO – The Recovery Ride announced Monday that its second annual charity bike event will take place Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017. This year’s event, whose beneficiary partners will be Stepping Stone of San Diego and The San Diego HIV Funding Collaborative, is intended to kick off 2017 with a healthy activity, fulfill New Year’s resolutions, and raise needed funds for San Diego-based nonprofits. Participants will pair their love for cycling with raising funds for charity.
According to Ride Co-Directors Rob Rubright and Jere Halligan, The Recovery Ride is expected to attract about 300 riders and many volunteers. The event provides a choice of three route lengths (12/25/40 miles), providing fun options for everyone, whether a causal rider or triathelete! All three rides will originate at Swiss Park in South Bay and cycle along the Silver Strand, to the Olympic Training Center, and beyond, depending on the route chosen. Ride-out times will be staggered from approximately 8:00 am to 9:30 am, and all are anticipated to be back to the finish line between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm.
The idea for the ride was borne out of a couple of friends riding together on another charity bike event. “Jere and I participated in the AIDS Life/Cycle ride together and fell in love with cycling for a cause. A ‘recovery ride’ is usually known as a shorter ride the day after a long, grueling one, but there’s obviously a double entendre there. We want to share our passion and inspire others to ‘get their hearts in gear’ for a great cause,” said Ride Co-Director Rob Rubright.
In a press statement the organization said, “The Recovery Ride aims to connect our love of cycling with our desire to give back to nonprofits and causes in the San Diego region. We specifically target organizations whose focus is recovery from alcohol and drugs, and HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, or both. Our beneficiaries in 2017 are Stepping Stone of San Diego and the San Diego HIV Funding Collaborative.”
“This will be a fun event – we don’t take ourselves too seriously. The Recovery Ride will most likely have a ton of fun, a lot of heart, maybe a few tears, and fits of cheering. What won’t we have? A lot of competition and a requirement to wear spandex (although we don’t mind if you do!). Thanks to our sponsors, all the money raised via registrations goes directly to our beneficiaries, and – most importantly – stays in San Diego,” added Jere Halligan, Ride co-director.
Recovery Ride organizers are partnering with community groups and other organizations to “host” rest stops and the festival to welcome and cheer riders and hand out refreshments. Cheer San Diego Extreme has signed on to host Rest Stop 1 at Babycakes Café in Imperial Beach. Each rest stop will have its own theme, performance, dance, music, etc.
In addition to the ride, organizers are planning a “Day Zero” event at the Stepping Stone residential treatment center – 3767 Central Avenue in San Diego – to permit riders to pick up registration packets, and introduce participants to the great work being done by Stepping Stone. The Day Zero event will take place on Saturday, January 28, 2016, from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm; the public is welcome and light snacks will be served.
Event Details:
- Sunday, January 29, 2017 – 7:00 am – noon.
- Start and Finish Festivals at Swiss Park – South Bay
- 12/25/40 mile routes – coastal and inland routes
- Participation by partner groups such as Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and others
- Volunteer staff experienced with cycling events
The Recovery Ride is an alcohol and drug-free charity bike ride – this year, its beneficiary partners will be Stepping Stone of San Diego and The San Diego HIV Funding Collaborative. In 2016, Stepping Stone celebrated its 40th anniversary helping the LGBT community – and friends – overcome a seemingly hopeless life of drug and alcohol addiction, and get treatment for HIV/AIDS. Stepping Stone provides a long-term residential recovery program, aftercare services, and support services for those affected by HIV. By design, no one is turned away for lack of funds at Stepping Stone. Their services mend lives and give clients the tools to break free from the grip of addiction. People are given new positive direction and their lives back. Broken souls are healed and families are reunited. Stepping Stone’s important work turns alcoholics and addicts into miracles. The San Diego HIV Funding Collaborative (SDHFC) is a program chaired by the San Diego Human Dignity Foundation (SDHDF). Established in 1990 by a group of local funders and community members concerned with the impact of AIDS on the San Diego region, the San Diego HIV Funding Collaborative’s mission is to raise, leverage and collaboratively allocate private funds in order to reduce the impact of HIV in the San Diego region.
