Honoring the 10 Year Anniversary of 9/11 with a bike ride in Glacier National Park

Most people won't ever forget where they were on September 11, 2011 upon first hearing the news of the planes crashing into the Twin Towers and learning the United States was under attack. Now, on the eve of the 10 year anniversary of 9/11, a small group of dedicated cyclists are about to commemorate the occasion with a bike ride beginning in one of America's most beautiful national parks, while simultaneously raising funds and awareness for Court Appointed Special Advocates in Montana.

CASA Park-2-Park from Up a Creek Films on Vimeo.

55 cyclists from around Montana and across the country are gearing up to ride 400 miles in five days on Park-2-Park Montana, a fully supported tour showcasing some of the most beautiful areas of "Big Sky Country." Gathering this weekend, participants will be leaving St. Mary’s KOA on the eastside of Glacier Park early Monday morning after a blessing from the Blackfeet Elders on their tribal lands. They will ride through the reservation to Browning and onto Dupuyer the first day and Great Falls the second. They ride more than 100 miles Wednesday from Great Falls to White Sulphur Springs and finish the ride Friday at Gardiner near Yellowstone Park.

A local doctor, two nurses and a VISTA supervisor are among the bicyclists who will take off from Glacier Park this weekend. Dr. Michael Hay is riding his multi-day tour. He’s excited about his new carbon fiber bike, but a bit nervous about the ride. Joining him are nurses Heather Lambott and Renee Bonanini. They all work together at the Helena Surgery Center and will be biking together. “I’m bouncing off the walls right now,” said Renee. “I’m like a kid going to Disney World. It’s nine days of endorphins and all for a good cause (raising money for CASA)."

CASA of Montana offers the 15 local CASA programs education and networking opportunities to help volunteers who speak up for the best interest of abused and neglected children. More than 450 CASA volunteers are advocating for more than 1,000 children in the child welfare system. Last year’s ride raised $60,000 for CASA of Montana and local CASA programs. This year’s goal is $65,000.

(Photo, left: Susen Marie and Doug Duguay on the 2010 P2P Montana ride.) Doug Duguay, owner and Sales Manager of BicyclingHub.com, will once again be joining the riders on tour and documenting the experience. Be sure to visit BicyclingHub's Facebook Fan Page each day next week for a photo journal documenting the day's highlights and stay in touch with your fellow riders.

Park-2-Park Montana 2011 Registration Now Open!

The hills and rugged terrain Montana offers are no April Fool's joke, as cyclists from around the globe have discovered during their two-wheeled journeys through the aptly-named "Big Sky Country." You can discover itself this September: Park-2-Park Montana registration is officially open, as of April 1st, and organizers are expecting this unique fundraising and awareness ride to sell out before September.

"This is your chance to see two national parks and the beauty of Montana up close and personal as you bike 400 miles across Montana for a good cause,” Executive Director Ellen Bush said.

Scheduled to take place from September 12-16, 2011, the five-day cycling adventure from Glacier National Park to Yellowstone costs only $495 and includes all lodging, meals and support. Participants are asked to raise an additional $300 in fundraising to support Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Montana's services for children and families in crisis.

Last year, the ride raised $62,000 and heightened awareness of CASA programs throughout Montana.

"Once those bike riders get on their bikes, they just don't want to give it up," enthuses Ellen Bush. "They're going to smell the rain, meet a great group of people, and going to feel like a part of an epic adventure in the U.S." Read the full account of the ride here.

To join Park-2-Park Montana (note: registration goes up to $595 after July 15th), sponsor a rider or make a donation to CASA Montana, visit www.park2parkMontana.org or call 866-862-2272.

Donate While You Shop
BicyclingHub.com is pleased to continue supporting CASA of Montana by donating 10% of website sales when customers shop using this link. Stock up on some high-quality cycling gear and help support a great cause!

Park-2-Park 2010 Raises $62,000 and Awareness of CASA Programs in Montana

Nearly 40 riders pedaled through the Roosevelt arch in Gardiner at Yellowstone Park after completing the 400-mile trip across Montana Sept. 10. Photo courtesy of Ellen Bush, CASA Montana.

Despite a struggling economy and reported cutbacks on charitable donations by individuals and families, The Sixth Annual Park-2-Park Montana 2010 fundraising event exceeded its target goal, reportedly raising $62,000 to help support CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) programs throughout Montana.

According to organizers, participants met their set goal of nearly $50,000 by the start of the event September 6th; since then, another $12,000 has been donated to provide advocacy for abused and neglected children so they can thrive in safe, permanent homes. Funds will be shared with 15 local programs in Montana through mini grants to assist program operation. Programs are currently recruiting new volunteers to speak up for children who are in the state’s court system through no fault of their own. More than 400 volunteers are now advocating for nearly 1,000 children who have suffered abuse and neglect.

Cyclist Troy Charbonneau was the top fundraiser at nearly $9,000, with the support of JCT Construction, Jim and Janet Charbonneau, Cycle Montana and the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Deputy Benevolence Association. Helena rider John Morrison raised $6,500 with the help of Platinum sponsors Presidio Insurance and ALPS Insurance. Great Falls attorney Dave Slovak was close behind with more than $5,000 in donations. Kalispell rider Susen Marie Ladd raised more than $4,000 for her fourth CASA ride, most in donations of $100 or less.

New York state rider Steve Suozzo was enthusiastic about the experience. “It was an absolutely wonderful adventure. A life-changing week,” wrote Steve. “The support team was great, and made the event so much more enjoyable. The food, rest stops, lunches and dinners were great fun and well stocked. Bravo to all of you on the CASA team.”

(Left: Park-2-Park Montana 2010 group with the CASA truck at the Dupuyer Community Center. Photo courtesy of Ellen Bush, CASA Montana.) Ride organizer Joe Bryce has announced Sept. 12 -16, 2011 as the scheduled ride dates for next year with a route along highway 89 from St. Mary’s KOA at Glacier Park to Gardiner in Yellowstone Park. The route takes cyclists along the eastern side of Glacier National Park through spectacular scenery along the Rocky Mountain front US 89 through Dupuyer, Choteau, Great Falls, White Sulphur Springs and Livingston before concluding at Yellowstone National Park. Save the date and keep informed along the way at park2parkmontana.org .

Photo taken approximately one mile from the finish. BicyclingHub.com owner Douglas Duguay reminisces, "It felt great riding in a giant pack of riders about to complete over 400 miles for the week."