Bicycling As Vehicle For Good Deeds

When people want to raise money or do good deeds, it's amazing how the bicycle is a person's vehicle of choice. People use bicycle rides to raise money for research to find cures for many horrible diseases and also for a variety of great causes. Here are just a few.

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My Seminole Heights Bicycle Club compatriot Jose Menendez informs me of a big scoop.

Jose has been volunteering with Habitat for Humanity's Hillsborough County affiliate since early January. One day, Jose suggested to the Construction Director that Habitat hold a Bike to Build Day during Florida's Bike Month, which is March. She loved the idea and said she'd try to get it approved.

Well, Jose says she did it, and it's listed on Habitat's events calendar for Thursday, March 4: Bike to Build Day/The Martin Family Build. "Work will include painting siding, paint trim, install exterior trim and lot grading."

Jose advises that if anyone is free that day and would like to join in and help a great organization while also promoting cycling, click on the Become A Volunteer link on that calendar page to register with Habitat.

Jose says that if a lot of people register for Bike to Build Day on Habitat's website, he may try to organize a few group rides to the build site from various parts of the county. Job well done, Jose.

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Cyclist Dennis Gauvin tells me that he has created a bike team called Team Noble Riders to raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society by staging a fund-raising event at the Winners Sports Grill at 12060 Anderson Road in Tampa on Thursday March 4 from 5-10 PM.

This year, Dennis says, instead of riding on a corporate team he has made it personal and created his own team, Team Noble Riders. His best friend's wife has been diagnosed with MS in 2002. Last year's event raised more than $2,300 and he hopes to raise more than that this year.

Prizes to be raffled off include a weekend for two at the Quorum Hotel and two bicycles. Providing music will be M & M's Connection's DJ Mike Martinez. For more information or join/support Team Noble Riders, contact Noble_Riders@yahoo.com.

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And yes, March is Bike Month in Florida and Tampa BayCycle will be holding a variety of fun bike events throughout the month. Don't forget the Twilight Crit in Tampa will be March 27 and the Urban Charrette folks will be holding its ecolution event as part of the Downtown Crit.

And the Seminole Heights Bicycle Club will be holding its fun Bike-in Movie Night on March 20, showing The Flying Scotsman. The Movie Night will be at 1203 East Powhatan Avenue, Tampa, with a potluck dinner at 7 PM and the movie at 8 PM.