10th annual Ride Cincinnati raises money for breast cancer research


Ride Cincinnati is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, and the June 12 event promises to be the best yet, with a number of updates to celebrate. To date, Ride Cincinnati has raised more than $2 million for breast cancer research at the Barrett Cancer Institute at the UC Cancer Institute.
 
The event includes a number of different routes: 63-, 45-, 26- and 18-mile routes along Route 8 in Northern Kentucky and an 8- and 16-mile route on a closed-road loop course along Eastern Avenue in Cincinnati. All routes begin at Sawyer Point, and helmets are mandatory.
 
New this year is a 3-mile Fun Walk, a non-competitive walk for friends and family who aren’t avid riders but who want to support the cause. The course takes walkers around Yeatman’s Cove into Friendship Park, ending at an after-party where Fifty West will be selling its beer.
 
“Fifty West is a very passionate support of local cyclists, and with the opening of its new cyclery across from the brewery it’s a natural partnership,” says Allison Brinkman Schroeder, spokesperson for Ride Cincinnati.
 
There will also be honor miles along the bike routes to celebrate the strength and story of those who have been impacted by breast cancer. Each sponsored mile is a $500 donation and includes a large photo of the honoree and brief background information about his/her fight with cancer. Friends, family and coworkers are encouraged to meet at that mile to celebrate their honoree and cheer on riders. If you’re interested in an honor mile, contact Kathryn Macke at [email protected].
 
Like last year, Ride Cincinnati has partnered with Cincy Red Bike. A day pass for Red Bike on race day is $8; if you email [email protected] right after the event stating that you participated, any overage fee will be waived. Bikes are available on a first-come, first-served basis — the nearest stations are at Sawyer Point, Fountain Square and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.
 
Ride Cincinnati starts at 6:30 a.m. June 12 with the 63-mile ride, and riders can sign up online until June 10 and can register in-person that morning. The cost is currently $40 for adult bikers, $30 for adult walkers and $15 for kids 12 and under.
 
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Read more articles by Caitlin Koenig.

Caitlin Koenig is a Cincinnati transplant and 2012 grad of the School of Journalism at the University of Missouri. She's the department editor for Soapbox Media and currently lives in Northside with her husband, Andrew, and their three furry children. Follow Caitlin on Twitter at @caite_13.