“Raise Half a Million Dollars” Is Goal for Annual Youth Cycling Event, Bike the Basin.

(Newswire.net — June 23, 2015) Ivyland, Pennsylvania –Since it’s debut in Bucks County in 2011, Bike the Basin has raised over $300,000 for the Curing Retinal Blindness Foundation, a worldwide 501c3 non-profit organization that works to fund research for a cure for CRB1 retinal disease.  The founders of Bike the Basin, The Smedley Family of Bucks County, have two sons, Michael (15) and Mitchell (11), that are blind from this rare disease.  They started Bike the Basin as a way for kids to get involved in their mission.

 

“One day, I will see my own face.  I hear it is adorable.” – Mitchell Smedley, 11, Blind, cofounder Bike the Basin

 

At Bike the Basin, teen volunteers assist the young cyclists with a bike helmet check and safety course, provided and led by Safe Kids Bucks County.  Over 100 teens line the start/finish area to cheer as the cyclists start and end their age group rides around the half mile track that circles the Northampton Civic Center soccer basin.  Members of Suburban Cyclists Unlimited, an adult cycling club, serve as route guides for the teen cyclists as they circle the track and Tyler park area.

 

“What’s different and special about this event is that it is for kids by kids.  Not only does it raise awareness for retinal diseases, it gets kids active and teaches them bike safety” 
-Merrill Reese, Voice of the Philadelphia Eagles

In the combined first 4 years, the BIKE THE BASIN events have logged over 700 bike riders and over 800 teen volunteers have attended the very popular event.

 

The organizers of BIKE THE BASIN, made up of mostly 4^th-12^th graders in Bucks County, have set a goal to hit the $500,000 threshold for the combined 5 years of fundraising.  Families, organizations, and individuals raise funds for this event in the months leading up to it by hosting smaller events and by asking family and friends to donate to their fundraising team.  Families and organizations are rewarded at Bike the Basin for their fundraising efforts with ribbons, medals, and plaques depending of what level of fundraising they achieved.  Many try to win the coveted “Basinator” and “Bike-a-nator” trophies for the highest amounts raised.

 

EVENT SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE and include free cyclists registrations and exposure online, on social media outlets, on event tshirts, and more.

 

The 5^th annual BIKE THE BASIN event takes place on Sunday, September 20, 2015

9:30am – 12:00pm

Northampton Civic Center, 345 Richboro Road, Richboro, PA 18954

AGES: 1-18 (Cyclists), 14-22 (Volunteers)

ADVANCED REGISTRATION PREFERRED, Walk Ups welcome

Registration Fee: $20 per cyclist, includes 20+ activities with age group rides around the half mile track

FREE TSHIRT if registered by August 1, 2015

Register at www.bikethebasin.org

CONTACT:

Kristin Smedley

267.566.9068

curingretinalblindness@gmail.com

Bike the Basin was voted Best Event in Philadelphia (PHL17 Philly Hot List 2013) and is two time winner of Top 5 Fundraiser in Bucks County (Finalist, Bucks Happening Most Happening List 2014, 2015).