The idea to start a non-profit organization called Riders Against Racism (RAR) was the result of some conversations between Matt Niswonger and Cathy Claesson, Josh Pearlman, Sarah Marschall, Richard Niswonger, Justin Cummings, Ryan Althaus, Susie Murphy, Mike Tee, David Orr, and Jamie Orr. Without these conversations RAR would have never been born. In addition to the influence of these conversations, RAR was also the result of some soul searching after reading How To Be An Antiracist by Ibram Kendi in the summer of 2020. This book helped us realize that talking about racism openly and honestly is important for the outdoor community. Part of solving the problem of racism is admitting that we have a problem in the first place. That’s why the outdoor recreation community must come to grips with the lack of diversity in outdoor spaces. For some, joining RAR will be the first time they publicly stand against racism.
The challennge is to ride a bike 50,000 vertical feet in 50 days. This is no easy task for those with jobs, families and frankly, anyone. By the simple act of joining the challenge the riders are showing their dedication to stamping out racism and bringing diversity to the outdoor pursuits that we all cherish.
Ride Against Racism
The RAR 50/50 Challenge is a fundraiser for Riders Against Racism. Thanks for being a part of history! The goal is to climb 50,000 feet on a mountain bike in less than 50 days. All climbing stats are tracked via Strava. This will be a fun challenge in the spirit of friendly competition to raise awareness around the lack of diversity in cycling and outdoor recreation.
Riders Against Racism (RAR) uses mountain biking and other human powered outdoor sports to break down barriers to outdoor recreation.
Through our fundraising rides we promote diversity among cyclists while building outreach to the BIPOC community through friendly competition in our virtual events.
The first RAR in the fall of 2020 included outreach to the Washoe Tribe near Lake Tahoe to support their efforts to silence the Minden 6pm "sundown" siren. For more information on the history of the siren check out this online petition we started in the summer of 2020: http://chng.it/VgwNWKCGGy
Here is a news story about the sundown siren featuring RAR founder Matt Niswonger along with some of our allies within the Washoe:
https://www.kolotv.com/2020/08/21/debate-resurfaces-over-douglas-countys-long-sounding-siren-and-areas-sundowner-town-past/?fbclid=IwAR0oOg1QCdXIRFGFhDqpfwOY2fRTdTNqMvgkV0dx_cLz8gaWvuT5UO4aqYU
Moving forward, RAR participants can ride in the name of or fundraise for an organization in their own community that does anti-racist work.