Following the success of the 2015 ride to help a school in the DROC get clean water and sanitation for life, we decided that it was time to welcome everyone who showed interest in the rides to join in our efforts through two group rides. We encouraged all riders to raise funding for each mile they rode, with $40 per mile = 1 person receiving water for life. The local community truly surpassed our expectations and helped us raise far more than we anticipated.

In 2016, we hosted two, one-day rides in Illinois and Arizona, with a third opportunity for people to gather wherever they are to raise money and host rides in their own towns. Our vision was to allow anyone the opportunity to take ownership of fighting the water crisis and helping change a Ugandan community by using their own circles of influence and provide a place to celebrate the funding raised and lives changed.

The rides in Arizona and Illinois were open to anyone who raised at least $480 (equivalent to 12 lives changed) in funding, and there was no cycling ability required to participate. As cyclists ourselves, we deeply believe that the community and shared experience cycling provides is the ideal platform to inspire people to get involved in the water crisis. We were humbled by the stories told and experiences shared during the rides in Illinois, Arizona, and around the world. In the end, as a community, we surpassed our hope of raising $40,000 to help a 1,000 Ugandans and ended up raising $60,000+ and supporting over 1,500!