Tim Johnson’s Ride On Washington – Racing and Advocacy Collide!

The start of the "Tim Johnson Ride on Washington" in Boston

It’s a great thing when racing, riding, and advocacy come together for good causes, and that’s exactly what happened when Tim Johnson and a small crew departed Boston on Friday, March 15. “Tim Johnson’s Ride on Washington” is a ride is to raise funds and awareness for cycling advocacy, specifically “Bikes Belong.” As the ride pulled up to the Capitol building in Washington DC Tuesday afternoon, the effort had raised over $90,000. The 500 mile ride drew incredible attention from non-endemic (non-cycling) media including The Washington Post, USA Today, and The Boston Globe, and countless television stations and websites all along the route.

Riders cheer as we enter the final stretch, only a few miles to go. I flatted once during the 250+ miles that I rode, and it was with less than a mile to go to the Capitol...

I was the SRAM guy who was lucky enough to participate for the final three days, a mere 270 miles, startin gin NYC. The geographic goal is Washington DC, where the annual National Bike Summit played host to over 800 advoacates from across the US to cover a vast range of Cycling and Pedestrian issues and whose title sponsor was Bikes Belong.

The ride itself was like a small five day stage race, averaging over 100 miles a day until the final leg, which was a mere 40. Only 20 riders competed the entire ride, lead by Johnson. The route went through large cities, including New York and Philadelphia, as well as plenty of rural roads. A great rid for a great cause that benefits us all, thanks to Tim and the entire and incredible team that got us there.

To find out more about this great effort Google “Tim Johnson’s Ride on Washington,” or visit www.bikesbelong.org.

: Early mornings for the food truck

: Biju Thomas and Allen Lim were heroes every day providing great food for the ride

: SRAM Neutral Race Support – always ready to keep us rolling – these guys are just plain awesome

: The start of the “Tim Johnson Ride on Washington” in Boston

: Johnson an ride crew made the long days fun

: Entering and riding New York City was interesting to say the least

: Johnson celebrates the arrival in NYC after nearly 9 hours in the saddle

: The Staten Island Ferry took us to New Jersey where the ride continued

: Sleep was always welcome

: The Ferry allowed riders to relax, the days ride was 132 miles from NYC to Philadelphia

: Everything is made from Skratch

: Biju started his days at 3am

: Johnson talks to media in Washington DC

: Butch Balzano runs SRAM NRS and he and Mike Spilker were invaluable to the entire effort

: The big stretch, NY to Philly

: A stop somewhere 20 miles outside of Baltimore

: Long days and a great effort for a great cause

: The finishing crew – although countless riders joined us along the way, this was the original group after the finish in DC

: Riders cheer as we enter the final stretch, only a few miles to go. I flatted once in the 250+ miles I rode, with less than a mile to go to the Capitol…