Gears for Good National Bike Ride back in person
By Meghan Lawton, HFA Associate Director, Advancement
Water bottles were full. Helmets were donned. Shoes were clicked in. It was time to saddle up.
Hemophilia Federation of America’s (HFA’s) 2021 Gears for Good National Bike Ride was underway! September 17-19 marked the 12th edition of the annual bike-riding fundraiser to benefit HFA’s Helping Hands program, which provides assistance with urgent basic living expenses, medically necessary items, plus medical travel and educational support for people with inhibitors.
While ongoing COVID-19 restrictions changed the ride slightly, nine in-person riders set off down the C&O Canal from Arlington, Virginia, with a goal of reaching Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia, and back by the end of the weekend. The riders were joined in spirit by two virtual riders logging miles in their hometowns.
HFA would like to extend a special thanks to Tom Knoerzer and Get Out & Go Tours for coordinating the ride’s logistics. After the event switched to fully virtual in 2020, riders were eager to get back together in person this year and ride along the C&O. Although ongoing pandemic restrictions forced changes to this year’s ride, the cyclists were still able to log over 150 miles on their bikes over the course of the three days.
Even with the paired-down event, riders raised over $16,000 in donations, all of which supports the HFA Helping Hands program. A big thank you to all of our 2021 riders, both in-person and virtual, and those that donated to their fundraising goals.
Information for the 2022 Gears for Good rides will be released soon. Stay tuned to the HFA website at www.hemophiliafed.org and be ready to sign up your team to ride!
