Posted on by

Party time: Roaring Fork Cycling hosts fundraiser at Tipsy Trout

Party time: Roaring Fork Cycling hosts fundraiser at Tipsy Trout

Roaring Fork Cycling, a local nonprofit, is doing everything it can to get kids on bikes.
Free photo

A local cycling cornerstone that offers year-round youth and women’s programs is having a big party — and you’re invited.

Roaring Fork Cycling, a nonprofit organization founded in 2016, will host its annual fundraiser at Tipsy Trout in Basalt, 181 Basalt Center Circle, on Wednesday, October 23, at 6 p.m. According to Kristen Heath, executive director of Roaring Fork Cycling, funds raised will support the organization’s scholarship opportunities and cover summer program costs.

The evening includes a silent auction, raffle, food, drinks and fun.

“Our goal of the event is to bring the community together to celebrate cycling and community,” she said, adding that everyone is welcome at the event. “We want to come together to thank the community for their support and also host a silent auction and 50/50 raffle to raise funds.”

She said most of Roaring Fork Cycling’s fall program is free and it takes a lot of resources and money to put it together.

“Every amount of money we raise helps us create more opportunities to get kids (and adults) on bikes,” she said.

What Roaring Fork Cycing currently offers

  • 37 women in women’s clinics
  • 39 average BMX racers per week
  • 20 members of the Pinnacle Jr. mountain bike racing team
  • 10 children in our Enduro program
  • 40 private lessons
  • 77 in our free middle school cycling program from Aspen to Rifle
  • 17 on our Aspen/Basalt Race Team
  • 72 children who participated in the summer program
  • 31 part-time trainers

Individual successes

  • Canyon Cherney, who placed seventh overall in the 17-18 men’s Mountain Biking Nationals
  • Lucas Berry (P6) and Will Karow (P10) at the Marathon XC Nationals
  • Cole Baxter, Campbell Maybon, Ian Westerman, Max Gunning, Grafton Merriam and Vivian Merriam who competed in BMX World Championships

For Roaring Fork Cycling board member Alan Luu, the fundraiser is a great way to recognize these achievements.

“It’s our main fundraiser every year,” he said. “It’s also a way to celebrate participants and coaching.”

For the event, an adult ticket ($50) includes access to a taco bar, beer/wine ticket and non-alcoholic beverages. A youth ticket ($25) includes two sliders, fries and soft drinks. Purchase tickets at roaringforkcycling.org/eat-drink-give.

Ray K. Erku can be reached at (970) 429-9120 or [email protected].