Tweed Ride: A Celebration & A Thank You

The 4th Annual Kalamazoo Tweed Ride was a big success, thanks to all of you!

We raised $3,500 and welcomed over 100 new and returning friends for a beautiful afternoon of riding and celebrating in the name of Open Roads.

Folks in the cyclist route started off earlier in the day with a 26-mile loop to Plainwell and back! It was a brisk, sunshine-filled ride and 31 riders came out to enjoy it together. Last year was the first attempt at hosting a pre-event cyclist route and about 11 showed up to ride. Next year we're hoping to reach 50 cyclists for this portion of the day! This route was led by Board Members Paul Runnels and Steve Sutherland.

Our 4.5-mile slow roll through the city was led by experienced youth ride leaders and staff ride leaders- headed up by former Apprentice and current Jr. Instructor, Chloe Rhea. Throughout the entire, young riders in the front could be heard shouting directions and signaling riders in the back. It was a beautiful example of our program participants taking charge and leading the way. They received support from Bike the Zoo sponsors this year to co-lead monthly community bike rides, and their knowledge and experience of leading safe rides was evident throughout the route!

Once we all reached Old Dog, the party began! A generous spread of appetizers from Old Dog Tavern, three-legged races, giant ribbons for best-dressed, a big bike raffle, and a classic pie-in-the-face made for a fairly memorable day. THANK YOU to our sponsors, guests, volunteers, Youth Advisory Board, staff, Board of Directors, and Old Dog.

Open Roads is generously sponsored by these local businesses. 
​With their support we are operating more programs and working with more students than ever before. Their commitment to youth development in this community is clear, and we are incredibly grateful for their investment in Open Roads. Sponsorship packets for the 2019 program season will be distributed in December. If you are considering a sponsorship and would like to learn more, please contact us so we can share more information.