2025 was a different kind of challenge for me. I spent much of it going through treatment for Ewing’s Sarcoma, and I’m grateful to now be in remission, with things trending in the right direction.
Throughout that time, I found myself leaning heavily on the lessons I learned through cycling. Showing up consistently. Adjusting expectations day to day. Staying patient through the process. These were all things sport had already taught me, just applied in a very different context. That perspective is a big part of why I’m riding in the CCAP Breakaway Benefit this year.
CCAP gives kids across Connecticut access to cycling, but more importantly, it gives them the opportunity to develop confidence, resilience, and a sense of community through sport. Those lessons go a long way, often beyond what we realize at the time.
I’ve been fortunate to experience that firsthand, and this is a chance to help create that same opportunity for others. If you’d like to support, thank you. I really appreciate it.
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The Breakaway Benefit Cycling Festival is the cornerstone fundraiser for the Connecticut Cycling Advancement Program (CCAP) and provides hundreds of kids with access to cycling and cycling teams all across the state. The CCAP started in 2013 and has grown to be a national leader in the development of youth cycling programs with teams in schools and regions across the state. In the last ten years, we've served thousands of kids and orchestrated hundreds of events in over 50 different towns. Today, over 350 youth riders participate across 40 programs in mountain biking, road cycling, and cyclocross. Additionally, over 25 youth race events and skills clinics are hosted annually by the CCAP. With your support, you're helping create more school and municipality-based youth cycling programs and helping the CCAP get thousands of more kids on bikes, so please donate! Together we can make an incredible impact on the lives of thousands of young people through the sport of cycling.
The CCAP Breakaway Benefit Cycling Festival
May 30, 2026 - Norbrook Farm Brewery in Colebrook, CT
The CCAP Breakaway Benefit Cycling Festival is a fundraising event for youth cycling programs in Connecticut's schools and towns. Your participation starts more youth teams, empowers more coaches to lead, and gets more kids on bikes! THANK YOU!
“What the difference is....in my opinion was the CCAP. Many of our kids have never been out of town, to a mountain bike area, etc.... Many can’t afford team sports or their behavior would not be tolerated in a team environment. Having a sport like cycling and being able to spend time with friends is important to these kids.” - Coach Bill Davis, Dag Hammarskjold Middle School, Wallingford
Breakaway Benefit Experiences
- Gravel and Mountain Bike Rides for ALL: Enjoy Connecticut's most beautiful and scenic roads during fully supported rides of different lengths. Our Gravel Sampler is perfect for a beginner to novice rider and is fully marked, so there is no need for a navigation device if you don't have one. The Big Scoop offers fun for riders of all abilities but is a bit longer - ride at your own pace or have fun cruising around with friends - just remember, roads are open to traffic. Mountain bikers, will be riding the beautiful trails at Norbrook Farm Brewery with ride lengths of multiple distances; expect routes as short as 5 miles and as long as 12. We will have two coach-led routes so need to memorize the trails.
- A Theme to Remember: Check out last year's famed and unique Breakaway Benefit Ice Cream Kit(2026 coming soon), which will serve as inspiration for all of our other swag items available at different levels (more info below in the fundraising packet)
- Festival: This isn't just a ride! We'll have a team tent zone, kids' games, product vendors, and more bike-focused fun to keep you entertained throughout the day. CCAP staff, along with a DJ/live music, will be on hand to lead the fun!
- Delicious Food and Drink: Riders are welcome to enjoy a light, pre-ride arrangement of pastries and coffee, then we will kick off the ride with a quick ceremony of Fundraising Awards (including top fundraiser and top junior fundraiser)! Enjoy the ride and then join us for lunch and games to celebrate their riding, fundraising, and accomplishments.
- Route Files: 2026 Route Files Coming Soon! Always ride with safety in mind!
- Want to volunteer? Please visit our Volunteer Page to sign up! All volunteers will receive complimentary breakfast and lunch after the ride! No fundraising is required for volunteers, however, it is encouraged. For volunteer questions, please reach out to [email protected].
Volunteer
Please sign up volunteer here! All volunteers will receive complimentary breakfast and lunch after the ride! No fundraising is required for volunteers, however is so appreciated! No amount is too little for any fundraising efforts, please check out our Fundraising Tips Packet for more details (Click Here). For volunteer questions, please reach out to [email protected].
Event Timeline
Please see the timeline on our Bike Reg page (Click here).
Location
Norbrook Farm Brewery
204 Stillman Hill Rd
Winsted, CT 06098
Ride Routes (Please see the route options and files on our Bike Reg page - Click here).
The Connecticut Cycling Advancement Program's mission is to ensure that Connecticut's youth and their families have access and exposure to an organized state-wide youth cycling league. Additionally, youth and their parents should be able to see a clear avenue that allows them to develop as far as their ambition, skills, and abilities can take them. The sport of cycling teaches a child or young adult a wealth of values, social skills, and mindsets that help them become successful in every aspect of their life, and the CCAP is proud to provide kids across the state with the opportunity to participate in a safe and positive team-based environment.
Recognized nationally for its impact and leadership, the CCAP partners with communities and schools to grow youth cycling throughout Connecticut. More than 55 Connecticut school districts and towns have created CCAP-registered cycling programs or are in the process of establishing cycling clubs and teams. Currently over 350 youth participate in these programs, with many more participating in our low-cost events. In addition, CCAP hosted over 20 youth-specific events in 2025, while partnering with many other events. With your help, the CCAP can keep this momentum rolling and expand our programs in different parts of the state.
Information about volunteering at the 2026 Breakaway Benefit ride can be found via this web link:
Information about the ice cream jersey can be found via this web link as well:
https://p3d.in/0LHDp