Beyond the Bike 2021
Beyond the Bike, a 3-day 260-mile bike ride from Ground Zero in NYC to Boston, is the signature fundraising event of Beyond the 11th.
Beyond the Bike 2021 will mark the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, when co-founder Susan Retik’s husband was killed on the first plane to hit the World Trade Center. Together with Susan, we will ride in honor of all the victims and rescuers who lost their lives that day. But we will also ride in celebration of the countless acts of courage and humanity that have marked the decade since.
Beyond the Bike is so much more than just a bike ride. We begin at the memorial pools at the site of Ground Zero, make our way out of NYC through the rolling hills of CT eventually arriving back in Boston. The 3 days are physically challenging which makes the accomplishment so rewarding. But it’s the people who make the experience so memorable. The small community of riders (we cap it at 45), the incredible support team, and all of the volunteers along the way make this fundraiser the best thing you’ll do all year…
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON BEYOND THE 11th GO TO WWW.BEYONDTHE11TH.ORG
Beyond the 11th
Beyond the 11th: Choosing Compassion Over Hate
How It Began
On September 11, 2001, Susan Retik and Patti Quigley both lost their husbands in the terrorist attacks. Susan was seven months pregnant with her third child. Patti was eight months pregnant with her second.
Both received an outpouring of support—meals, childcare, financial help, compassion. But when they saw images of Afghan widows on the news, they were struck by a devastating contrast.
These women had also lost their husbands to terrorism and war, but they had nothing. No safety net. No rights. No way to feed their children.
In 2003, Susan and Patti founded Beyond the 11th—choosing compassion over hate. Their radical response: help widows in the very country where the 9/11 hijackers trained.
What began as Susan's simple goal—help just one—has since reached over 10,000 widows and their children.
Who We Serve
Afghanistan has an estimated 2 to 2.5 million widows—one of the highest numbers anywhere in the world. Decades of war, combined with strict cultural and religious restrictions, have left widows with virtually no rights.
Without a husband, Afghan women lose:
- The right to work or leave home without a male guardian
- Access to education and healthcare
- Any means of supporting their children
- Safety and security
Most widows have five children on average and little or no education. When their husbands die, they're left with no income, no safety net, and almost no options for survival.
Yet despite these impossible circumstances, Afghan widows remain remarkably determined. They carry the full responsibility of feeding their children and holding their families together.
Our Widows Program
In 2021, Beyond the 11th partnered with Razia's Ray of Hope to create a dedicated widows program at the Zabuli Education Center, a K–6 girls school in Deh'Subz, Afghanistan.
Here's how it works: Any girl attending the school whose mother is widowed or serving as head of household automatically receives a monthly stipend for her entire family.
This support provides:
- Food and basic necessities
- Medicine and healthcare
- Clothing and shelter
- The ability to keep daughters in school instead of forced marriage
- Protection from boys having to work to support the family
Why We're Closing—And Why the Mission Must Continue
After more than two decades of serving Afghan widows, Beyond the 11th will wind down at the end of 2026. This decision comes with deep reflection and a steadfast commitment to lasting impact.
As Susan says: "I have the luxury of turning the page. The widows we serve don't."
That's why our final goal is to raise $3 million to endow the widows program so it can sustain itself forever—ensuring that widowed families will continue to receive support long after Beyond the 11th closes its doors.
The Impact of Your Gift
Since 2003, Beyond the 11th has made a grant every single year, touching the lives of thousands of Afghan widows and their families. That's two decades of job training, literacy programs, and economic development.
Now, in our final chapter, every dollar raised goes toward ensuring this work continues for generations to come.
This is more than charity. It's a legacy of dignity, survival, and hope.