The Ride

200 is a nice number. On July 11-12, I am going to ride 200 miles on the STP (Seattle to Portland) Bicycle Classic with 22 Team World Vision Cycling  members to raise money for the Bikes for Africa project.  A good sturdy Africa-ready bike costs about $100.

The Need

World Vision is raising money in order to significantly expand bicycle ownership in rural Africa. In rural Africa, a bicycle is not a toy or a recreation like it is here in the US. It is a key to unlocking significantly better well-being in terms of family health, education, and household businesses.

A bicycle increases the distance a person can travel by 400%, and increases a person's carrying capacity 500%. It causes a transportation revolution! In places where roads are poor or non-existent, a bicycle moves farm products to market, allows a small farmer to get better seeds and fertilizer, helps children and teachers get to remote schools, and transports the sick to medical care.

The Cause

World Vision has partnered with World Bicycle Relief in Africa, which has worked hard with bike makers to improve and radically "ruggedize" the standard one speed bike. This 64 lb bike can carry over 220 pounds of cargo, and is much more reliable than a standard "American" bike. We have established parts and maintenance service centers. We are ready to roll!

Check this out: Microenterprise!

According to experts like the World Bank, the reason that bike ownership in rural Africa is a problem is that no one will lend folks the money needed to buy the bike. These bikes will be purchased on a lease-to-own basis. That way, instead of a $100 gift meaning one bike for one person, a $100 gift means that in one year two people will own a bike. In two years that same gift means that 4 people will own a bike.

Okay, this is where YOU come in!

Some of the biggest names in cycling are getting behind our ride. Will you get behind me? It costs about $100 for a bike. Help us put thousands of bikes into rural Zambia and other countries, and help us make life better for the children of Africa.

You can help us buy one or more bikes with your donation. If you can't give $100 or more, you can still contribute. Gifts of any size will help.

Thanks so much!

Mike : )