Taking precautions against the ongoing pandemic—and public event permits rescinded from many communities along the route—Harbor to the Bay is taking its annual Boston-to-Provincetown bicycling benefit for four local HIV/AIDS care, prevention and research organizations off road this year and going virtual.
The ride was scheduled for September 26, but organizers wanted to give cyclists, many in training, an early heads up…plus let everyone know they can participate in ways this year like never before.
Here’s the scoop from the Harbor to the Bay Committee:
Taking the ride off the roads and into our own living rooms, backyards, and bike trails, Ride 18 will occur as a virtual engagement with some new changes:
- Rather than riding 125 or 68 miles together, participants are encouraged to engage in whatever activity is safely accessible to them. This might mean several short bike rides, doing 125 jumping jacks, or dancing for 68 minutes! This year’s event will see everyone as a “participant” rather than a “rider” or “crew member”, so everyone is encouraged to get involved in a way that challenges themself and promotes health.
- Registration fees for this year’s ride will be lowered to $18. This will cover your Harbor to the Bay swag, personalized fundraising page, and processing fees. If you have already registered, please contact us at jmorgrage@aol.com to discuss adjustment or refund options.
- Fundraising minimums have been eliminated for Ride 18. We understand the financial challenges members of our community may be facing right now and do not want to bar anyone from participating. We simply request that you fundraise what you can to support the work of our beneficiaries. We will still be offering incentives for reaching certain fundraising goals.
- Ride 18 will no longer last just one day! For the month of September, culminating on our original ride date of September 26th, you are encouraged to fulfill your participation goals! We’ll be sharing selfies, stories, and more via social media to keep our community engaged and connected.
It is important now more than ever that we stand united in the face of this pandemic. We are honored not only to continue supporting our beneficiaries and their life-saving work, but also for your support in doing so. As always, 100% of fundraising will go directly to AIDS Action Committee, AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod, Community Research Initiative, and Fenway Health, for whom fundraising will be critical as they continue to provide care during COVID-19. We hope that this year’s Harbor to the Bay will bring our community together in a way we have never seen before. Whether you’re in New England, California, or Germany, we want to see how you participate and hear why Harbor to the Bay is important to you!
If you have not yet signed up for Ride 18, please visit harbortothebay.org to join us for this exciting and important year.
Again, we are so grateful for your support – especially right now. Thank you for joining us in our work to keep our community safe and healthy during COVID-19. We believe the Harbor to the Bay family will come out on the other side of this pandemic stronger and more unified than before.
Stay safe and well,
The H2B Committee
