Register Now: 12th Annual Mountains to Desert Bike Ride

28 Apr Register Now: 12th Annual Mountains to Desert Bike Ride

Registration opens Monday, April 27, 2015 for September 26, 2015 bike ride, a fundraiser Just For Kids Foundation. Go to www.m2dbikeride.com for specifics about how to register.

This year’s Mountains to the Desert Bike Ride (M2D) and the 2nd annual Telluride 200 are slated for September 26, 2015, with registration for both events going live on Monday, April 27, 2015.

The event is the annual fundraiser for the Just For Kids Foundation, a local non-profit supporting children throughout the San Miguel Watershed. Each year, every dollar raised through participant fundraising before and during the ride is matched dollar for dollar by the Carstens Family Fund at the Denver Foundation. That money is then awarded to individuals and organizations that provide leadership opportunities for regional youth as well as organizations that promote self-sufficiency and responsibility.

Over the past ten years, the Just For Kids Foundation is proud to have raised over $2 million; all of which have been awarded to hundreds of organizations benefitting thousands of underprivileged children. This year’s goal is to fundraise $125,000 which in turn would be matched by the Carstens Family Fund and ultimately make it back to children in the San Miguel Watershed.

M2D is an incredible road bike ride from the mountains of Telluride (or Norwood) to the desert landscape of Gateway, CO. The event offers various mileage options to accommodate all abilities of riders:

• Norwood to Gateway – 72 Miles
• Norwood to Gateway with Hill Climb – 101 Miles
• Telluride to Gateway – 104 Miles
• Telluride to Gateway with Hill Climb – 132 Miles
• Gran Fondo (Telluride to Gateway via Nucla Loop with Hill Climb) – 150 Miles
• Telluride200 – 200 Miles

This year’s event, for the first time, will conclude at the Gateway Community Center. The event is excited about utilizing a new finish where cyclists, family members and friends can all hang out, enjoy a delicious catered feast and listen to live music. The event team is also working on securing a group camping area for anyone looking to stay in Gateway for the night, but not at the resort. As always, the event will provide transportation back to Telluride and to those traveling to Grand Junction after the ride.

“The Mountains to the Desert Bike Ride is an incredible opportunity to ride one of the most exceptional routes in Colorado and benefit underprivileged children in the San Miguel Watershed,” said Eric Saunders, President of the Mountains to the Desert Board and the Just For Kids Foundation. “We are lucky to live in a community that can support kids in a fun way. I invite you to participate in this year’s ride and help us meet our fundraising goal.”

Early registration opens Monday, April 27 and runs through June 7, with regular registration open up until the event.

For questions, registration help and volunteer opportunities email m2dbikeride@gmail.com or call 970.729.1372.

About Mountains to the Desert Bike Ride

The Mountains to Desert Bike Ride (M2D) is in its 12 year as the annual fundraising event for the Just For Kids Foundation. M2D offers road cyclists mileage options from 70 to 200, from the mountains of Telluride to the desert of Gateway, Colorado. Each dollar fundraised through the ride is matched by the Carstens Family Fund at the Denver Foundation. For more information, visit www.m2dbikeride.com or email m2dbikeride@gmail.com.

About Just For Kids Foundation 

JFK was created in 2000 by Bill Carstens, long-time Telluride resident, entrepreneur and philanthropist. JFK is funded by an endowment established by Mr. Carstens, the Carstens Family Fund at the Denver Foundation. Each year the endowment matches proceeds from the annual fundraiser, Mountains to the Desert Bike Ride (M2D) and private donations. Just For Kids serves children from birth through high school graduation throughout the San Miguel Watershed, including the towns of Telluride, Norwood, Nucla, Naturita, Paradox and all points in between. For more information, visit www.justforkidsfoundation.org or email info@justforkidsfoundation.org.