A handcyclist and cyclists along the course in the 14th Annual Kelly Brush Ride powered by VBT Bicycling Vacations on Sept. 7, 2019. The annual ride, which was held virtually in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, returns on Sept. 11, 2021, to Middlebury, Vermont. In 2019 the ride drew 940 cyclists and 27 handcyclists from 20 states. The event raised more than $700,000 for adaptive sports and ski racing safety. Image courtesy Kelly Brush Foundation.
More than 900 cyclists are expected to roll in the 16th annual Kelly Brush Ride powered by VBT Bicycling Vacations on September 11 in Middlebury, Vermont. The ride is the Kelly Brush Foundation’s largest annual fundraising event focused on the foundation’s mission to improve the lives of those with spinal cord injury through sports and recreation.
“After moving the ride to a virtual event last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are so excited to be back hosting an in-person ride. The positive energy and camaraderie around the ride with handcyclists and cyclists coming together to raise funds for adaptive sports is such a big part of the day,” said Executive Director Edie Perkins.
Participants can ride 100, 50, 20 or 10 mile routes through the scenic Champlain Valley. For those who can’t make it to Vermont, the ride will continue to have a virtual component with activities and fundraising challenges and weekly prizes that supporters can participate in via Strava, a social networking service designed for cycling.
All riders and visitors to the Middlebury College campus, where the ride starts and ends, must be fully vaccinated unless they have a valid medical or religious exemption, and wear face coverings indoors.
In 2019 the event drew more than 900 riders and raised more than $700,000 to provide direct support for equipment that gets people with spinal cord injuries out enjoying the activities that enrich their lives, like skiing, basketball, cycling and tennis. To date, the foundation has awarded more than 1,172 grants in 48 states for adaptive equipment through its Active Fund. The ride also supports the foundation’s ski racing safety program. Each year grants are awarded to ski clubs and racing programs for improving race course safety.
“VBT is proud to be the title sponsor of the Kelly Brush Ride for a decade running,” said Timo Shaw, VBT Bicycling Vacations president. “We are looking forward to celebrating this inspirational event in-person once again.”
For registration and information visit: https://kellybrushfoundation.org/kellybrushride/.
The Kelly Brush Ride powered by VBT Bicycling Vacations is made possible thanks to the generosity of many participants, volunteers and sponsors including: VBT Bicycling Vacations, Sugarbush Resort, Murphy Realty Company, LLC, Audi South Burlington, Ross-Simons Jewelry, World Cup Supply, Gravel & Shea PC, NBT Bank, Nokian Tyres, People’s United Bank, Vermont Mortgage Company, our hosts on the Middlebury Ski Team, and other generous sponsors.
About Kelly Brush Foundation
The Kelly Brush Foundation is a dynamic and growing Burlington, Vermont-based non-profit inspiring and empowering people with spinal cord injuries to be active and working closely with the alpine ski racing community to improve safety. The Kelly Brush Foundation was founded in 2006 by Kelly and her family after Kelly sustained a spinal cord injury while racing in an NCAA alpine ski race. To date the Kelly Brush Foundation has awarded more than 1,172 adaptive equipment grants to people in 48 states.