The Hamden Cheshire RTX / Rail Trailers are back for another round of the Breakaway Benefit, and out team is all about riding with heart, grit and FUN!

Our young riders are the future of the sport, and thanks to the CCAP, they have the opportunity to grow through racing, riding, and working as a team. Every donation to this page helps us keep that momentum going: more access to events and lifelong cycling memories. 

This year, we aim to sign up five new young people for the summertime road team and, if needed, provide them with loaner bikes. A successful Breakaway Benefit will go a long way toward making that happen.

Whether it is their first podium or experiencing how cycling can be a team sport, your support fuels it all. Thank you for rallying for the team! Together, we will show these kids that their effort matters, on and off the bike.

As a thank you for supporting our team, we’ll be sending out some special Rail Trailer swag to our generous donors. Think t-shirts and hoodies made to celebrate the team's spirit. Even better, for every shirt we send to a donor, we’ll make one available to a sibling of a current Rail Trailer. The more kids who feel part of the team, the stronger our community grows. 

May 31, 2025 - 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 this year's famed and unique Breakaway Benefit Ice Cream Kit (2025 Design 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, a live DJ, and games to celebrate their riding, fundraising, and accomplishments.
• Route Files: 2025 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 visit our to 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 2024, 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.