Join us for the Ride for Major Taylor

Image

Come explore new communities and improve lives through bicycling with the Ride for Major Taylor on Saturday, April 18. A fundraiser for the Major Taylor Project, Ride for Major Taylor is a 25-mile urban journey through West Seattle, Delridge, Burien, Seatac and White Center.

With this new ride we invite you to explore the culturally rich and diverse communities of Seattle where our Major Taylor Project is introducing underserved youth to the joys, recreation and empowerment of cycling.

“We see this event as an opportunity for people to get in touch with a part of Seattle they might not otherwise see,” said Ed Ewing, Cascade’s director of diversity & inclusion. “To discover the richness and diversities of these communities while supporting the community building and youth-empowering work that the Major Taylor Project is doing in these communities.”

Now in its seventh year, the Major Taylor Project is a year-round youth development program focused on introducing youth from diverse communities to cycling and creating an inclusive culture of bicycling that will continue to future generations. The Major Taylor Project currently serves eight schools in South Seattle and two in Tacoma.

“It’s easy to underestimate the bicycle. You think it’s just for fun but it’s about kids getting independence and gaining confidence, awareness about the city and access to different places and experiences.” 
- Pat Thompson, Executive Director of the Yes! Foundation. 

“I think this new event is a great idea,” said Rick Harwood, principal of Global Connections High School where the Major Taylor Project has been active since 2009. “Cascade riders get to experience what our Major Taylor students do when they go on their after school group rides and see the schools where our clubs are based. Most exciting will be that the Major Taylor students will get to host this Cascade event at their schools and in their neighborhoods which will get them a strong sense of pride.”

“As a resident of White Center, I am really excited that the Ride for Major Taylor is coming through our communities,” said Pat Thompson, executive director of the Yes! Foundation. “So many White Center kids have participated in the Major Taylor Movement and I’m happy the greater community gets to see what these young people have been up to.”

As it is somewhat removed from Seattle’s popular bike routes such as the Lake Washington Boulevard or the Burke-Gilman Trail, Ewing is excited to introduce this new route to avid riders. “There is some great riding, great roads and great climbs in this part of town,” said Ewing. “I hope people will ride to the start line, explore the area’s great businesses and maybe incorporate this route into their training rides.” At the same time, Ewing hopes this ride will bring out new riders. “We really hope neighbors, parents, friends and teachers of the Major Taylor Project students will ride,” Ewing commented.

With a beginner-friendly distance through local neighborhoods, Cascade aims to make this event more accessible, and hopes to see a diverse ridership. The Ride for Major Taylor is the biggest Major Taylor Program fundraising event and donations and pledges are encouraged.

DONATIONS FOR THE RIDE FOR MAJOR TAYLOR HELP SUPPORT:

• Bike programs that support more than 120 underserved high school students annually. 
• 20 weeks of riding instruction during the school year.
• Field trips like the Youth Action Retreat, cyclocross racing and velodrome classes.
• MTP student sponsorship for Cascade rides, including the Group Health STP and Flying Wheels.
• A safe environment for students to build self-confidence, make friends and develop healthy communication skills.

“It’s easy to underestimate the bicycle. You think it’s just for fun but it’s about kids getting independence and gaining confidence, awareness about the city and access to different places and experiences,” said Thompson. “I think the Major Taylor Project is one of, if not the, best youth programs in the city because its impact is so multi-tiered. There isn’t any reason not to support the Project by riding, donating to or sponsoring this event.”

Join us for the ride and support the Major Taylor Project. Register today!

Can't make the ride but still want to support the Major Taylor Project?  Please make your tax-deductible donation here.

Share this post