VBT Bicycling Vacations
Country Walkers
9th Annual Kelly Brush Century Bike Ride Supports Adaptive Sports on Sept. 6, 2014 in Middlebury
BRISTOL, VT — Aug. 25, 2014 — For the third consecutive year, VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations is proud to be the title sponsor of the ninth annual Kelly Brush Century Bike Ride on Sept. 6, 2014. The event begins and ends at the Middlebury College Alumni Field, Route 30, in Middlebury, Vermont. Riders have a choice of 25-, 50-, or 100-mile course routes with a 65- and 85-mile re-route from the 100. The ride fundraises to conquer the challenges of paralysis and improve ski racing safety.
The Kelly Brush Foundation was born in 2006 after Kelly Brush Davisson suffered a severe spinal cord injury while racing in a NCAA Division 1 ski competition as part of the Middlebury College ski team in Vermont. All funds raised during the ride are donated to the nonprofit organization, dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for those with spinal cord injuries.
In the nine years since the ride’s inception, participants have raised more than $1.5 million. As a result, nearly 100 pieces of adaptive athletic gear has been donated to those paralyzed due to spinal cord injury (SCI) helping them to conquer the challenges of paralysis through love of sport. In addition, more than 400 miles of safety netting has been purchased to line ski racing and training courses improving safety and preventing injury.
“Kelly Brush Davisson is a strong inspiration to athletes everywhere and VBT is proud to be a title sponsor for the third year in a row,” said Gregg Marston, President of VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations. “The charity ride has become a tradition for the VBT family due to the impactful work of the foundation and their positive influence on the community here in Vermont and around the country.”
Last year’s event drew more than 750 riders and more than two dozen adaptive athletes using handcycles. Proceeds from the Century Ride go to support the foundations mission to:
- Improving the quality of life for individuals living with SCI by purchasing adaptive athletic equipment for those with financial limitations.
- Advocating for improving ski racing safety.
- Supporting research to treat and cure paralysis due to traumatic SCI.
New to this year's ride is half-price registration of $75 for youth age 12 and under. Registration for age 13 and older is $150 and is free for adaptive athletes using handcycles. To register visit, ride.kellybrushfoundation.org/.
VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations will give away a trip for one to Burgundy, France as part of this year’s raffle. Up to 200 raffle tickets will be sold at $50 each and the winner will be drawn at the ride.
About VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations
VBT offers 50 deluxe, small group bicycling and walking tours in 26 different countries, including destinations throughout Europe, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Vietnam, Peru, South Africa, China, and the United States. Each trip includes all accommodations, many meals, two expert local Trip Leaders, unique sightseeing and cultural activities and on-tour vehicle support. Unlike other companies, VBT also includes roundtrip international airfare from over 30 U.S. cities and select Canadian cities for all overseas vacations.In 2014, VBT was rated by the readers of Travel + Leisure among the “World’s Best Tour Operators” for the fifth consecutive year.
About the Kelly Brush Foundation
The Kelly Brush Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving ski racing safety, enhancing the quality of life for those with spinal cord injury (SCI) through providing adaptive sports equipment and advancing scientific research on SCI. The foundation has raised more than $1.5 million and assisted in procuring more than 400 miles of safety netting and other safety equipment for ski racing organizations as well as launched a successful public awareness campaign about ski racing safety. The foundation has also purchased nearly 100 pieces of adaptive equipment for paralyzed individuals, getting them back into the sports they love. Kelly Brush Davisson, together with her family, started the foundation in 2006 after she sustained a severe spinal cord injury while racing in NCAA Div. 1 competition as a member of the Middlebury College Ski Team in Vermont. The Kelly Brush Foundation affirms Kelly’s ongoing commitment to live life on her own terms and better the lives of others living with SCI. www.kellybrushfoundation.org