Our Team Bicycle Hauler gets wheeled out to plenty of cool races and rides, but this one is extra special. When our pals at Keen Technical Solutions told us about their next adventure, we wanted to help. Luckily, what they needed was exactly what we do best!
This Saturday, Keen and about 20 riders from Traverse City, Michigan will load up at the crack of 5am for a three-hour drive to Flint, Michigan, only to turn immediately around and right back. The reason? These 20 riders will be joining dozens of others from around the state and around the country for Split the Mitt, a fundraising ride for Less Cancer. Less Cancer uses information and advocacy to prevent cancer. The organization works with families, health care providers, and legislators to inform and shape issues that can help reduce cancer in the United States.
Just like the goal of preventing cancer, the ride is no small undertaking. The two-day, 238 mile trek from Michigan State University's Flint campus to the 31st Annual Cancer Prevention and Survivor's Picnic in Traverse City takes rides across the heart of the state. Weaving through small towns and communities, as well as experiencing everything the weather can throw at them, riders offer a bit of themselves in an effort to support hundreds of others.
Of course, getting all those riders to Flint, as well as carrying their bikes, gear, camping supplies, and food is a bit of a logistical nightmare. With a 30 person van already squared away, we're excited to offer up our trailer to help move 20 bikes and 20 riders' worth of gear and food for the weekend. We're outfitting the trailer to accommodate both quick release and thru axle mounts using our Combo Forkmount. For long-range driving in cramped quarters, the Forkmount offers the most secure and stable mount for putting 20 bikes on the road.
We've also outfitted the trailer with a few Hot Boxes and Fiver Auxiliary Hangers to we can get to small tools and gear, as well as rain coats, quickly once we are out on the road. We have three food stops planned, and having the trailer with allow the riders to grab food, make any repairs and adjustments quickly, and then let us get back on the road in no time.
There's still time to join and donate to the Split the Mitt, as well as learn more about Less Cancer's work.