Hello friends. After a couple of years of COVID-induced hiatus, I will be back on the road again this July for another ride (my 11th) in the New England Classic. As in years past, this is a 7 day, 550+ mile bike ride through Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont. The ride is now under new management and has been recreated as the New England Classic Charity Bike Tour.
Our tradition of supporting the more than 34 million Americans living with diabetes by donating to the American Diabetes Association continues for 2022, with a percentage of the proceeds being earmarked for the ADA’s Camp Carefree in New Durham, New Hampshire.
We all know of family members and loved ones whose lives and health have been impacted by diabetes. As you may know from my previous years participation in this event, my father died several years ago due to complications of diabetes. I ride in his memory and also, sadly, this year in the memory of my sister-in-law.
Many advances have been made in recent years in the treatment and management of diabetes, but much more work needs to be done. Your contribution will support research, education and advocacy. Additionally, as mentioned above, a portion of your contribution will support Camp Carefree, a supportive summer camp for kids with diabetes.
Please consider supporting my efforts and the efforts of the ADA in any way that you can. All contributions are welcome.
Thank you for your generosity and wish me luck.
New England Classic Charity Bike Tour 150/550
The New England Classic Charity Bike Tour is a multi-day fundraising cycling event that offers two-day and seven-day options starting Saturday, July 9, in Bedford, Mass. at Middlesex Community College. The 150-mile NEC 150 and 550-mile NEC 550 travel the same route for the first two days. Indoor, air-conditioned accommodations and breakfast and dinner are included with the fundraising minimum of $500 for the NEC 150 and $2,900 for the NEC 550.
The 2022 New England Classic Charity Bike Tour will benefit the American Diabetes Association. Through research, education and advocacy, the ADA pursues its mission to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. More than 30 million Americans live with diabetes.
NEC 150 riders travel the back roads of the Merrimack Valley of Massachusetts into southern New Hampshire and along the seacoast with a destination of Durham, N.H. The Day 2 route takes riders to coastal Maine past beaches, rocky coves and quaint villages. Day 2 ends with dinner and a celebration, then riders take chartered buses back to Bedford while their bicycles are transported there safely.
After sharing the first two days of their route with the NEC 150, NEC 550 riders leave coastal Maine, heading west into the White Mountain region, where the challenge rolls north through Conway and on to the Attitash ski area in Bartlett, N.H. The journey continues Day 4 with a climb up Crawford Notch on the way to Bethlehem and Littleton, N.H., before crossing the Connecticut River into Vermont. After a night in Montpelier, riders pedal the river valleys of the Green Mountains on scenic Route 100 to the Killington area and the welcome comfort of a ski resort. The trek continues through Vermont and then back into the Monadnock region of New Hampshire with an overnight in Keene, N.H. The final leg heads to Central Massachusetts, winding its way to the finish at Middlesex Community College in Bedford, Mass., on Friday, July 15.
The New England Classic Charity Bike Tour (NEC Bike Tour) is organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes. The purpose of the NEC Bike Tour is to raise funds exclusively for charitable purposes in support of the American Diabetes Association and their summer camp for kids with diabetes, Camp Carefree.