Riding bikes (of all kinds) has been a favorite pastime of mine and a big part of my life since I was little. My friends and I used to ride BMX bikes around town from sunrise to sunset, only coming home when the metaphoric dinner bell (our cellphones) rang. When I was in 6th Grade, I started racing my bike, I joined a local junior team, Mystic Velo, and tried my first crit. It was amazing, I was hooked. The next year, the team dispersed and we joined the next closest team, CL Noonan p/b Corner Cycle. The only problem, they were based out of the greater Boston Area, almost two hours away from our home. For me, nothing like the CCAP existed in our home state, and none of my close friends were interested in racing bikes, so I decided to play football instead (I know, what a knucklehead) but I never lost touch with cycling.
Fast forward a few years, and the CCAP was started. I got involved as a volunteer, and immediately saw the benefits that it offered. There were kids, kids on bikes, and LOTS of them! They were riding and racing together with their friends. It's exactly what I wished I had when I was a kid.
Soon after, I started as an intern with the CCAP, which progressed into a full-time role, and 9 years later, the Executive Director. I couldn't be more proud of everything that the CCAP, our AMAZING coaches, and supporters have accomplished in the last 12 years. Safe to say, I am excited to see what the next 12 years have in store. Please consider supporting our efforts by donating to my page OR one of our fantastic junior teams!
More info on the event:
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.
Making a donation is easy and safe- simply click the "Donate" button.