HAPPY NEW YEAR!
As 2010 came to a close, The Charity Cycling Challenge (CCC) opened new doors, becoming incorporated as a not for profit, non-stock organization. Taking this step provides the organization with the opportunity to expand its realm of fundraising activities throughout the year.  In addition, the CCC is now affiliated with the Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce, as part of its Health Services Division.

If your New Year’s resolutions included getting into shape, here is the perfect opportunity to achieve your goal while helping many who are in need. It’s time for a change, and together, let’s help as many people as we can! Dim lights, energetic music, fun and sweat!  Join our family of over 100 riders in our quest to reach our goal of raising $25,000+ for charity.

NEW LOCATION FOR THE 2011 CHALLENGE
Healthtrax Logo
We are happy to announce this year’s event will be held at Healthtrax in Bristol! The 4th Annual Charity Cycling Challenge will be held on March 26, 2011 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This event is open to the public; we welcome all community members to take the Challenge and make a difference!
 
ENTRY FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE
Are you and/or your teammates ready to ride? Entry forms are now available online. The entry fee for the 2011 Challenge remains at $25.00 per participant. Entries and payments can be submitted to P.O. Box 4169, Bristol, CT 06011. Upon receipt of your entry fee(s), we will forward your Official Pledge Packet, and instructions on how to start raising pledges for your charity!

Brittany DeckerMEET OUR NEW HONORARY CHAIRPERSON
We are very proud to introduce Brittany Decker, Miss Connecticut 2010, as our Honorary Chairperson! She recently traveled to Las Vegas and well represented our state in the Miss America pageant.  Ms. Decker, 21, is a senior mass-media communications major at Western New England College. She is on the board of directors for a medical clinic in a small village in Cambodia. She also volunteered at an orphanage in Haiti. At Western New England, Brittany has been on the dean’s list and president’s list, is an active member of several honor societies, and has received many academic honors.

INTERESTED IN BECOMING PART OF THE CCC TEAM?
No experience necessary. Our team consists of people with very different backgrounds, different skill sets and talents, as well as different age groups. However, we all share one common goal – to help those in need. All it takes is a little of your time, some dedication and a team approach.  We guarantee you will feel a sense of accomplishment in helping us make the 2011 Challenge another successful event. 

Anyone interested in making a difference please contact us at info@charitycyclingchallenge.com

DID YOU KNOW?

  • In 2008, the CCC began as a small, local gym event with only 60 riders raising over $5,000 for nearly 15 different charities and organizations.
  • Since its inaugural event, the CCC has raised a total of over $40,000 for more than 40 different charities and organizations on both a local and national level.
  • In fall of 2010, the CCC’s first annual Bowl-A-Rama took place at Spare Time Bowling in Bristol.  This event was filled with fun, friendly competition and great camaraderie.   Proceeds benefitted the Bristol Boys & Girls Club and the Animal Friends of CT.

As a result of the CCC incorporation, fundraising activities will continue throughout the year and may include a summer cycling event for young children.  Stay tuned for more details.

JOIN THE RE-CYCLING CHALLENGE
You can donate the proceeds from all your recyclables by bringing them to Green Planet (formerly Redeem-It) at 45 Mellen Street in Bristol. Just mention “Charity Cycling Challenge” when you return your bottles and cans. The charity to benefit from these donations will be determined by a drawing of names of those who participated. If your name is chosen, you get to designate the charity to receive the funds! So be sure to include your name and contact info on the ticket given by Green Planet. The drawing will be held on the day of the event.  Remember, you have to play to win!

LIMITED EDITION CCC 2011 TEE-SHIRTS
Tee ShirtOur annual special-edition Charity Cycling Challenge fundraiser tee shirts are available now. Unisex tees are priced at $10, and Men’s muscle and Ladies’ fitted tees are available for $15. All proceeds benefit the Bristol Boys & Girls Club.  They are sure to sell out, so act quickly if you’re interested. Contact us today to order yours!

STAY CONNECTED TO THE CCC
Social MediaMake your way on over to our Facebook page to keep up on all the latest Charity Cycling Challenge news. Is Twitter more your style? You can find (and follow) us on Twitter @Spinathon too! As always, you can find everything Challenge-related on CharityCyclingChallenge.com!

TAKE THE BUSINESS CHALLENGE!
We have some great opportunities for your business to become involved in the 2011 Challenge! The many benefits of event sponsorship include:

  • A featured ad on the CCC website
  • Display of your company’s logo/name on various Challenge signage and publications
  • Company name on event t-shirt
  • Reduced entry fees (may apply) for some of your employees that wish to participate and/or form a team

For more information, please contact us at 860-261-7326 or sponsors@charitycyclingchallenge.com

ADDED BENEFITS OF HELPING OTHERS
If one of your goals for 2011 is to get into shape, training for the Charity Cycling Challenge is a great way to start!  Participating in your gym’s indoor cycling program is a sure way to lose weight, increase lung capacity and improve your cardiovascular health.  You can also tone your body and have fun while doing it. Cycling classes are organized to challenge and push participants while providing a fun and positive environment.

Research has shown that an average 30-minute indoor cycling class will help you burn around 500 calories. That means that for each hour of the Challenge that you ride, you can burn off up to 1000 calories. If you ride the entire 8 hours, that’s almost 3 pounds!  Most other exercises would take at least double the time to burn so many calories.

Not only can the Challenge help you reach your fitness goals, but it will also allow you to help others.  So what are you waiting for?  Sign up today and become a part of the Challenge family.