Reid's Ride Bike-a-thons 

 

Another Successful Reid's Ride Bike-a-thon, Sunday, July 18, 2010!!  Thank you all for your participation and support. 

Photos of Reid's Rides

Summary from the 2010 Event:

Some 375 cyclists raised over $135,000 for the fight against cancers in adolescents and young adults during the 6th Annual Reid's Ride Bike-a-thon on Sunday, July 18.   Lorraine Sacco, Director of Reid's Ride, remarked, "I'm overwhelmed by the results of this year's event, on all fronts.   Not only did the numbers of riders and donors once again significantly exceed those of the previous year, but the number of individuals wanting to volunteer and help with the event also increased.  All of that tells me that the mission of Reid's Ride is becoming its own messenger, and is reaching more and more people and is resonating with them.  For me, that's among the most important emotional rewards of holding this event." 

Addressing the several hundred riders poised at the starting line at Lynnfield High School, Lorraine read from the event's dedication list the names of riders' loved ones lost to cancer.   Conspicuous among the hundreds of riders wearing the event's yellow tee-shirt were clusters of riders wearing team shirts, with several of those teams riding in honor of someone fighting cancer or someone lost to the disease.   She concluded the solemn moment by declaring that the purpose of each rider's participation in the day's event was to keep the dedication list from growing any longer than it already had.

For another year, weather for the event was picture-perfect.   Although the virtually cloudless skies eventually nudged area thermometers into the low nineties, temperatures were not a factor for the riders.  By design, the Ride launched early in the morning and its route took cyclists along the coastline where they enjoyed cooling sea breezes.  The event concluded at Gloucester's Stage Fort Park, on a hill overlooking the Atlantic ocean, where a barbeque luncheon reception, refreshments, music, raffles, and awards awaited riders and supporters.

 

Proceeds from Reid's Ride benefit the ECCF/Reid Sacco Memorial Cancer Fund, a donor-advised fund that supports clinical and scientific research into finding better treatments-and someday a cure-for the cancers that predominantly strike adolescents and young adults.   On hand at Stage Fort Park was Mr. Christopher Pates from Connecticut Children's Medical Center (CCMC) to explain how the Fund is involved in one such clinical research program.  At CCMC, monies raised by Reid's Ride has for the last three years made possible an Adolescent and Young Adult ("AYA") Cancer Program, led by Dr. Michael Isakoff.  This program is part of a nationwide network of centers and physicians dedicated to expanding the availability of clinical trials to patients 15-40 years of age.   Access to clinical trials has been shown to correlate with improvements in survival rates, and the Reid Sacco Memorial Cancer Research Fund has made it possible for Dr. Isakoff to make additional clinical trials available to area patients in this age group.  The Fund is also helping him design a unique clinical trial in sarcoma which will ultimately reach 200 treatment centers nationwide.

 

Weston Sacco, a member of the Young Adult Advisory Board for the Reid Sacco Memorial Foundation, followed Mr. Pates announced that Reid's Ride has made it possible to join forces with the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative in co-funding a major grant to two scientists at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center (Texas).  Those scientists are studying promising new targets hiding within the molecular genetics of sarcomas, a family of cancers particularly deadly in adolescents and young adults.  "That grant achieves two objectives for the Reid Sacco Memorial Foundation this year," he said, "first, to support basic scientific research relevant to young adult cancers, and second to build alliances and networks with other private, volunteer groups trying do something about young adult cancer."   As it has for the past two years, the 2010 Reid's Ride was a member- event in the 2010 Team Sarcoma Initiative, a movement that pulls together dozens of events across the globe working for improved awareness and funding in sarcomas.  Mr. Weston Sacco continued, "Neither Reid's Ride nor the Reid Sacco Cancer Research Fund is affiliated with any one hospital or center, meaning we have the flexibility to participate in and fund the most promising programs, regardless of where they are."

 

Also making presentations were several others members of the Young Adult Advisory Board, including Bethany Flom, Jackie Bourque, Jane Greeno, Meredith Greeno, Michael Marra, Rachael Sacco, and Ryan McNeill.  In addition to announcing the top individual and team fund-raisers, and winners of Red Sox tickets and other raffle prizes, each expanded upon the mission and impact of Reid's Ride and on what it has meant to them.  The Young Adult Advisory Board is a critical driver behind Reid's Ride.  Lorraine Sacco commented, "I've always seen the Ride as not only something that benefits young adults, but as something that is both owned and energized by this wonderfully productive and promising segment of our population."

 

Honors for top individual fund-raising went to Jackie Bourque (Lynnfield), who led all riders by raising more than $7,000 for this year's Reid's Ride.  Other top fund-raisers included Meredith Greeno (Brighton), Jane Greeno (Concord), Liz Joyce (Danvers), Ed DeFusco (Danvers), Rachael Sacco (Haverhill), Mike Marra (Lynnfield) and Garrett McNeill (Lynnfield).

Top honors for team fund-raising went to "Babo-Stride"(Team Captain Meredith  Greeno) and to "Falcon Fighters" (Team Captain Jackie Bourque); combined, the two teams raised more than $15,000.   Other top team fund raisers included "Team Boston College", "Team Funder (Pfizer-Andover)", "Team Lyons", "Team Danvers Diehards", "Team Danvers Fire", and "Team McNeill".

 

The 2010 Reid's Ride recognizes dozens of businesses that supported the event with generous donations of food, refreshments, supplies, services, and raffle prizes.  Among these generous donors are:  Amylou Photography; Bianco & Sons; Baubles Fine Jewelry; Countryside Deli; Crosby's Market; Fuddruckers Restaurants; Kennebunk Beach Realty; Landry's Bicycles; Limousines by Liz; Lynnfield Meat & Deli; Lyons Ambulance Service; Mariposa; Meltharb's; Prince Restaurant; Rainbow Balloons; Sachem Signworks; Shaw's; Stop & Shop; The Priestley's Fine Photography; and Universal Screening Studios.   

Dunkin Donuts was again the event's corporate sponsor, with franchisees of Dunkin Donuts restaurants along the Reid's Ride route providing generous support to help underwrite costs of the event.   Dunkin Donuts staff was also on-site to provide complimentary beverages to Reid's Rider participants.

Major financial support was also supplied by DanversBank, Pfizer-Andover, and Beverly Hospital.

Volunteers are another critical ingredient in the success of the Ride.  The Ride is particularly grateful to the following committees and chairpersons:  Balloons & Route Marking (Nancy McNeill, Sue Canty); Bicycle Transportation (Arthur Bourque); Chase Team (Ben Marra, Paul Pisani, Pat Coppola); Data Analysis & Compilation (Joan, Jackie, and Katharine Bourque); Endicott Rest Area (Donna Marra, Debbie MacLeod, RN); Food Preparation (Bill Gustus, Lynnfield Rotary); Food Transport and Presentation (Gail Talis and Rosemary Fitzgerald); Photography (Bob Priestly, Amylou Astolfi and Doris Boghosian); Raffles  (Eileen Pescatore, Janine Ianniciello); Registration ( Jonna Casey and Joyce Calagero); Rider Tracking & Check-out (Karen Strating); Rider Information Table (Janine Inanicello and Marie Cappola); Rider Transportation (Limousines by Liz, Martha Poti); Safety (Lyons Ambulance, North Shore Radio Associates); Stage Fort Park Decorating (Michele Moscone, Kevin Dillon); Stage Fort Park Operations (Ringo Tarr, Kevin Dillon, Carolyn Mazzola); Technical Support (Landry's Bicycles); and Water & Ice (Jim Dillon, Robert Sherr, Peter Lagorio).

Several civic and community groups, too, were critical to making the Ride safe, fun, and smooth-running.  Those include: the Lynnfield Rotary; the Fire and Police departments of Lynnfield, Middleton, Danvers, Beverly, Manchester, and Gloucester;  the Lynnfield School System and the Gloucester School System; Endicott College; and the Gloucester Department of Public Works.

About the Reid's Ride.  Reid's Ride is the primary fund-raising event to benefit the Reid Sacco Memorial Cancer Research Fund.   Reid's Ride is organized by the Reid R Sacco Memorial Foundation, an organization of volunteers committed to advocacy, awareness, and fund-raising toward finding better treatments-and someday a cure-for the cancers striking young adults.   Those cancers include brain tumors, leukemias, lymphomas, melanomas, and sarcomas.  Visit www. reidsaccofoundation.org or www.ReidsRide.org for more information.

 

 

 

The Event

Reid's Ride 28-mile Bike-a-thon is a fun and rewarding way to support clinical and scientific research into finding more and better treatments -- and someday a cure -- for the cancers that predominantly strike Adolescents and Young Adults.   Cyclists of all ages and abilities pedal their way from Lynnfield to Cape Ann in what is the primary fund-raising event for the Reid Sacco Memorial Foundation.  Your event registration fees, sponsorships and donations benefit the Reid Sacco Memorial Cancer Research Fund, and this fund supports programs, projects, and advocacy for improving the outlook for a population of cancer patients which is tragically underserved by recent advances in cancer treatment.  Your time commitment is modest:  Cyclists leave the starting line at Lynnfield High at 7:30AM and festivities at Stage Fort Part wrap up around 1PM. 

For a good sense of what all the excitement is about surrounding Reid's Ride, visit its photo gallery, and see the press release from  last year.

The Reid's Ride Bike Route

The route is 28 miles in length and is moderately challenging depending on your cycling experience, but riders of nearly all ages and abilities have tackled Reid's Ride over the last five years with success!.  Riders ride at their own pace, either trying to beat a personal best or casually enjoying the scenery and one another's company.  All roads are paved and clearly marked and the scenery is quite remarkable.  The route passes through a broad range of environments--everything from small neighborhoods and town centers, to rural countryside and past massive coastal estates.  Later portions of the route run parallel to the ocean approaching Cape Ann.  A facilities-equipped rest and refreshments stop will be set up in parking lot at Endicott College facing the ocean, at roughly the half-way point.   

 

For a Google map of the route, complete with ELEVATION changes, click Google Map Route

To download  directions, click SUMMARY DIRECTIONS 

To download a more detailed route map, click DETAILED DIRECTIONS.

Safety

The route will be patrolled and monitored by a volunteer radio teams provided by North Shore Radio Association and  Cape Ann Amateur Radio Association.  Volunteers in pick-up trucks patrol the route for riders needing technical or medical assistance.  Landry's Bicycles graciously provides technical support at the starting line and the rest stop.  Lyons Ambulance generously provides EMT coverage.

Fees & Donations

The registration fee is $50.  Riders are asked to do their best to raise a minimum of $125 in donations from family and friends in support of your participation.  In past rides, individual riders have raised as much as $8,000!!  Riders will receive a Reid's Ride t-shirt, bib number, chances to win great prizes, and are invited to the the barbeque reception at Stage Fort Park.  Prizes are awarded to the riders and teams raising the most funds.  (Those participating in the 2010 Pan Mass Challenge need only pay the registration fee to participate in this year's Reid's Ride.)  Use www.ReidsRide.org to set up a fund-raising page you can email or Facebook to family and friends.  The majority of your registration fee, and all of your collected donations, directly benefit the programs and project supported by the Reid Sacco Memorial Cancer Research Fund. 

Registration

There are several ways to register for the event.  The most efficient way is to take advantage of our on-line registration site at www.firstgiving.com/reidsride.  You can aslo register by mail using a Registration Form/Brochure.   Look for one in the mail or at any of the businesses where you see a Reid's Ride poster.  You can aslo download a Registration Form/Brochure now, fill it out, and follow the mailing directions on the form.  Or you can register the day of the Ride, but plan to arrive between 6:30am and 7:00 am on the morning of the event and go to the specially marked "same-day" registration tables.

Check-In on the Day of the Event

If by midnight the night before the event you have registered on-line or by mail, all you need to do is check in at the pre-registered check-in tables to pick up a package containing your tee-shirt, bib number, and other instructions.  At registration, riders can submit the donations they have collected.  They will be immediately added to any donations made to you on-line, and used in tabulating the top fund-raisers for prizes later in the morning.

Transportation

We will have transportation available to bring cyclists and their bikes back to Lynnfield High after the event.  But many of our riders have a friend or family member meet them at Stage Fort, Lynnfield High, or another location with their car or truck to take them and their bikes home.  From Stage Fort Park, there are many extraordinary bike routes to explore in Gloucester, Essex, Manchester, and surrounding communities.

Parking

Although there is some parking available at Lynnfield High School, please carpool or cycle in for the start of the event.  In Gloucester, there is a small parking lot at Stage Fort Park, but there is a large lot at Gloucester High School just a short walk from there.

Accomodations

If you are coming in from out of town, the Sheraton Colonial Boston North Hotel on the Lynnfield/Wakefield line has reserved a block of rooms and a special rate for participants of the 2010 Reid's Ride.  Call its reservations line @ 888-627-7205 or 781-245-9300 and ask for the REID"S RIDE ROOM BLOCK and you will receive the special discounted rate of $59.00.

Bike Rentals

UrbanAdvenTours will again be offering a special rate ($35) to those who wish to rent a bike for Reid' Ride.  UrbanAdvenTours delivers the rental bikes to the starting line at Lynnfield High, and picks them up after the event at Stage Fort Park.  If you wish to take advantage of this service, you should reserve a bike in advance.  Please use this direct number to call UrbanAdvenTours to reserve a bike for Reid's Ride: 617-670-0637

Our Event Sponsors

We are again pleased to announce that Dunkin Brands, and affiliated franchise restaurants along the North Shore and Cape Ann, are our premier corporate sponsors.  We'll announce our other sponsors as they come on board for this year's event.

The International  Sarcoma Initiative

We are once again pleased that your participation in the 2010 Reid's Ride means that you are simultaneously supporting the Team Sarcoma Initiative, and International Sarcoma Awareness Week, July 17-25, 2010.  Sarcoma is an especially deadly cancer among Young Adults, and is an area of focus for funding by the Reid Sacco Memorial Cancer Research Fund. 

Return me to the Reid's Ride Registration and Fund-Raising Site !