BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) – Organizers for the annual Ride for Roswell have “reimagined” this year’s ride into a summer-long event that encourages riders to participate, fundraise, and connect with others.
In what is now called “Summer of the Ride”, riders will fundraise all July and get on bikes to ride between August 1 and August 21.
The originally scheduled ride on June 26 and 27 has been canceled. However, June 27 will feature a virtual lighting of the torch ceremony to kick off the Summer of the Ride at Kaminski Park on the Roswell Park campus.
Ride for Roswell is also encouraging people to “Ride your own way”. This encourages riders to bike any distance, any time, and at any location between August 1 and 21.
Registration fees and fundraising minimums for this year have been waived. Anyone who has already paid a registration fee will have the money go towards their fundraising totals and they will receive a free ride registration for next year.
"We've created new rider rewards," Gregory said. "We've reimagined that. With your first donation, we have a Ride for Roswell mask. If you raise $50, we have these great lawn signs that will be going out in the coming months."
Organizers announced in early April that the Ride for Roswell would happen in some way and vowed to make an announcement on May 1. Organizers raised funds all April to go towards their COVID-19 Response Fund, which will help patients and staff purchase medical supplies, support patients needing financial assistance because of coronavirus, provide food and communication tools, and to conduct research on coronavirus treatments.
Gregory said that they raised $77,000 for their COVID-19 response fund during April.
To participate in this year’s Summer of the Ride, riders must register at RideforRoswell.org. Prior to their announcement of the Summer of the Ride, there were more than 3,000 people who signed up for the Ride for Roswell.