News
We were graced with a phenomenal weather day on October 22 for the annual Gravel Ride in partnership with the Green Mountain Bicycle Club, staged at Cochran Ski Area. Many thanks to Jim Cochran and Cochran family for allowing RTF to use this perfect location for our events. The fall gravel event was offered at no cost, however, numerous donations to RTF were received. Thank you! Approximately 80 riders lined up at the start. This was by far our largest turnout spanning the several years that we have offered this event. With introductions and instructions from John Williams, Tom Broido, and Kevin Bessett, groups of approximately 20 were sent off to their choice of a 40-mile or a 55-mile mostly gravel route created by RTF Board member Tom Broido. The routes maximized Vermont’s scenic beauty and limited traffic gravel roads. The heat of the day matched the fiery blaze of the foliage as brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows of the deciduous forest was offset by the greens of pine, balsam, spruce around nearly every turn, every rise, every valley.
The forecast was for rain, coinciding with the start of the Richard Tom Foundation Burlington Criterium Kid’s Crit. Our preparation that morning (RTF set up on St. Paul St.) was accomplished with a sense of denial in the face of the forecast. Well, the spirits of Richard Tom and of all the young riders prevailed with favorable weather and we had a wonderful turnout. We never know how many will participate since many of the families likely wait until the last moment to check the weather and their child’s readiness. Our registration tent became very busy at around 10:30 a.m. with families arriving with children ages 7-11 and their bikes. Registrations this year brought some surprises as each child received a GMSR t-shirt and a Little Bellas jersey. Little Bellas is one of our key partners because Richard was an enthusiastic supporter of Little Bellas and the wonderful life-enhancing and skill-building that they offer to young girls through mountain bike camps. Thanks to Rachel Ciancola for setting up the Little Bellas tent adjacent to the RTF tent and for helping manage the event throughout the day.
The Richard Tom Foundation is excited to announce our collaboration with the Jackalope Northeast Cycling Program for 2021! Our partnership does not involve financial support; rather our collaboration is grounded in our shared missions: to be advocates for, and creators of safer cycling infrastructure and policies, as well providers of welcoming events and opportunities for any and ALL cyclists.
Hot – that’s what it was! The 2022 Richard’s Ride Powered by VBT coincided with an early season heat wave with temperatures approaching the 90s. Pre-ride waffles sopping with maple syrup were served up by the Little Bellas team while riders checked in for their selected route. Richard’s Ride offers something for all ages and abilities and all ride categories had excellent representation with the exception of the Mountain Bike category which is a tough nut to crack, given that Cochran’s offers free access to their trails every day. All other categories had 20 – 40 riders for each of the designated routes. Overall registrations topped all previous years. Thank you to all riders and let’s shoot for 300 riders for 2023!
November 2nd, 2019
We are thrilled with the turnout from our “pop-up” gravel ride on Saturday, November 2, 2019. It was a staged from Cochran’s Ski Area in Richmond, Vermont and was a low-key, free and unsupported ride. About 35 riders participated, with a mass start departing at 9 am.
RTF BOD members Tom Broido and John Williams participated and our newest RTF BOD member, Chris Morrisey, volunteered tech and sag support. Alan Cote donated his announcing and music system and provided pre-ride updates to everyone.