On Wednesday August 2, 2017 I was hit by a truck on my way home from work.  This was a route I know very well as it was my typical bicycle commute home route.  My first (really my only) memories of the crash were waking up at Grady Hospital and seeing my wife, Emily, there.  I was extremely lucky (if Im honest, not getting hit at all would have been even luckier) that my injuries were not more serious/life threatening and I've been since able to make a full recovery. (OK ... full recovery is a bit a misnomer here.  Im fine and all but lets be honest with each other -- my cycling isnt exactly where it was before the accident - I need to ride more!)  Even so, I recognized (not at the time ... I had a massive consussion and I was acting like, as kids would say, "an idiot") that Grady Hospital was the best place I could be.

This ride is a great oppurtunity for me to ride 100 miles and really get on with making a full recovery.  Im kidding ... sort of ... the in town century route (that is what us really cool Spandex wearing folks call cycking 100 miles) is going to be awesome but really this will help complete the circle here and gives me a change to fundraise for Grady.  Grady is a wonderful resource for the city of Atlanta and it is important to support it. For more on Grady Hospital and how great it is for Atlanta click on "The Cause" section below.

There are non-century options - 5, 25, and 50 if you are interested in participating yourself.  The ride is May 5 -- what better way to celebrate Cinco De Mayo?  I hope to see you out there (or you money contributed here) --

Thanks - 

Chuck

VeloCity is an exciting new cycling and fundraising event that is bringing cyclists of all abilities and ages together to celebrate our city, our health and Atlanta’s own Grady Hospital. 

Taking place for the first time on Saturday, May 5, 2018, at Georgia International Plaza, just steps away from Mercedes Benz Stadium, this new fundraising ride will feature fully supported routes as well as an Opening Celebration on Friday, May 4, and much more!  

Route distances of 5-, 25-, 50-, and 100-Miles are available for cyclists of all abilities. We also have an Indoor Cycling option, hosted by our partners from Vibe Ride. Each class will run for 45-minutes, starting every hour between 9AM and 3PM. 

Click the "Register To Ride" button above to select your distance today. Check out our route maps here to learn more.

VeloCity will be proudly permitted with USA Cycling Inc.  Participation waivers must be signed by all participants and will be available at packet pick-up and on-site registration during the event weekend.

VeloCity is a fundraising event, and 100% of all funds raised by participants will go directly to Grady Hospital. After registering to ride you will receive an email with information on how to begin raising money for Grady. Although not required, below are our suggested goals for fundraising based on the distance you select.

• Indoor Cycling: $50
• City Ride: $50
• 25-Miles: $250
• 50-Miles: $250
• 100-MIles: $250

In addition to helping Grady, participants will earn great rewards as they fundraise. Each tier reached will include the incentives offered at ALL previous tiers. 

• $250 - Commemorative Cycling Jersey
• $500 - VeloCity Cycling Socks
• $750 - VeloCity Ballcap
• $1000 - VeloCity Cycling Vest
• $1500 - VeloCity Backpack
• $5000 - VeloHero!!! VIP access at the Friday Night Opening Celebration and during the Saturday post-ride celebration

Our Partners at Wahoo Fitness have put together some great training tips for the longer distance rides. Check them out to get ready for the ride:

Key Workouts for Your Best Century Ride

How to Prepare for a Century Ride

Why Ride for Grady?

For over 125 years, Grady has been there when Atlanta needed it the most - saving and changing lives, training the next generation of doctors, and conducting cutting edge research that impacts patient care throughout the world.   

Atlanta literally would not be here without Grady.  And none of us know when we, our family, friends or co-workers might need the incredible care that Grady provides.  By participating in VeloCity, you will raise much needed funds that will go directly to patient care and support programs such as:

- The metro Atlanta region’s premier level 1 trauma center
- Georgia’s first Cancer Center of Excellence
- Nationally recognized stroke and cardiac centers
- Neonatal intensive care relied upon by more than 40 counties throughout the state 
- One of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive treatment centers for advanced HIV/AIDS
- The world’s first 24/7 sickle cell center

Grady will be there for you when you need it.  We hope you will be there for Grady by being a part of VeloCity on May 4, 2019!

• Lou and Becky donated $250.00 April 7, 2018 ... "We are happy to donate to the place that "fixed" you up! =)"
• The Weiser's donated $150.00 May 4, 2018
• Chuck Adkins donated $125.00 March 27, 2018
• The Burbys donated $100.00 April 12, 2018 ... "Way to go, Chuck! Well, not on the ambulance ride, but on the charity ride."
• The Martinelli's donated $100.00 April 4, 2018 ... "Go Chuck Go! "
• Alison and Jill donated $100.00 April 2, 2018 ... "Alison donated $95...Jill chipped in $5. LOL! Good luck and be safe!"
• Arnold's donated $100.00 April 2, 2018 ... "$50 for Grady and $50 for Chuck's new bicycle fund"
• Fritz donated $100.00 April 1, 2018
• Stephen donated $100.00 March 30, 2018 ... "Thanks for taking amazing care of my homeboy while he was with you!"
• The Loonams donated $100.00 March 30, 2018 ... "Big shout-out to Grady for what they did!"
• Gretchen donated $50.00 April 10, 2018
• Bret Haines donated $50.00 March 30, 2018
• Jordana Hayes donated $50.00 March 30, 2018 ... "Enjoy yourself but be safe! "