Rasputitsa to Benefit Northeast Cycling Programs
Rasputitsa Spring Classic, a gravel grinding sufferfest in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, announces their partnership with two cycling-based non-profit organizations: Little Bellas and JAM Cycling Fund. Little Bellas is a mountain bike organization whose goal is to help young women realize their potential through cycling. JAM Cycling Fund’s mission is to cultivate the next generation of cyclocross racers and ambassadors for the sport of cycling. With a shared mission of growing the sport of cycling, the founders of the Rasputitsa Spring Classic will donate a large portion of the profits to these organizations.
“We are absolutely thrilled to partner with Rasputitsa. Rasputitsa brings the fun to a challenging race situation, which parallels nicely with our mission of getting more girls to love the sport of cycling and leading healthy lifestyles. Their support makes a huge impact with our organization and allows us to offer equal opportunities despite participant’s financial shortcomings,” mentions Sabra Davison, Executive Director of Little Bellas.
“We are so excited to be working with the Rasputitsa team this year to create a truly impactful, fun, and classic day of spring riding. JAM Cycling Fund is not just racers; we aspire to shape great ambassadors and role models for our community. We are extremely grateful for the support Rasputitsa has offered us through their event. They are partnering like-minded organizations to change lives through cycling, a goal that is core to the JAM Cycling Fund,” remarks Jeremy Powers, co-founder of JAM Cycling Fund.
In addition to financially supporting both organizations, the Rasputitsa Spring Classic will host a private VIP preview of the course on February 8th with organization members including Sabra and Lea Davison of Little Bellas and Jeremy Powers, Alec Donahue, and Mukunda Feldman of Jam Fund Cycling. These experienced cyclists will give approval of the 2016 course and affirm its designation as a sufferfest. After this exclusive course preview, the 2016 course will be launched to the public at large in preparation of the April 16th race. Four invitations to this exclusive course preview will be raffled with winners selected on 1/26/16. Enter online at: https://www.raffleriver.com/?r=3512
The winners will be invited to ride the course and accompany these pro cyclists to post-ride bonfire lunch. Also included are overnight accommodations and prizes from each organization. “Supporting organizations that are giving back and growing the sport of cycling is very important to us. We’ve never been in this for the money. We’ve always just wanted to invite a bunch of riders to our neck of the woods to ride what we consider some truly exceptional landscapes,” says co-founder, Heidi Myers.
In only its third year, the Rasputitsa Spring Classic has experienced tremendous growth and notoriety and the 2016 event sold-out four months before the race date; however, volunteers are still needed and donations can be made to both organizations via www.littlebellas.com and www.jamcycling.org. “Our mission has always been to exist for what we call the 3 C’s: the love of cycling, the love of community, and the love of charity and working with these two organizations really aligns with those goals,” remarks co-founder, Anthony Moccia.
About Rasputitsa Spring Classic Rasputitsa is Russian for the mud season when roads become difficult to traverse. The Rasputitsa is a psychotic 45 mile, insane, drop to your knees and cry sufferfest in East Burke, Vermont, with an absurdly section so difficult that people won’t believe your stories called Cyberia. The 2016 race is scheduled for April 16th. To learn more, visit www.rasputitsagravel.com, friend them on www.facebook.com/rasputitsagravel or follow them on Twitter @RasputitsaRide.
About Little Bellas Little Bellas was founded in Vermont by mountain bike Olympian Lea Davison, her sister Sabra Davison and avid cyclist and friend Angela Irvine, and is a mountain bike organization whose goal is to help young women realize their potential through cycling. By creating a community that empowers girls through the sport, Little Bellas emphasizes the importance of goal-setting, promoting healthy life styles and recognizing the positive effects of strong female bonds. While this program is centered around creating camaraderie for girls on bikes, it is most importantly about having fun in a constructive environment. Little Bellas brings together girls, ages 7 to 16, and female mentors in our programs across the country. With its home base in Vermont, in the past years, Little Bellas has expanded its reach to CA, CO, GA, and this year adds programming in AZ, UT, PA, and MA. Now in its 8th year, Little Bellas has brought programming to over 2000 girls and is slated to reach over 500 girls in 2016. Scholarships are available for all programs. For more information go to www.littlebellas.com
About JAM Fund Cycling The JAM Fund was created in 2003 by Jeremy Powers, Alec Donahue and Mukunda Feldman, good friends brought together with a passion for cycling. The JAM Fund helps young, motivated cyclists achieve success both on and off the bike. For more information visit: http://www.jamcycling.org/
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