WBR gets ready to distribute bikes at a Zambian school

(Photo: Neil Shirley)

Just one year ago I was in rural Zambia witnessing the power of bicycles. I wasn't there for a race or even a trade show, I was there seeing first hand how a bike can completely change an entire family for the better. For me, riding a bicycle had always been a means of enjoyment, fitness, and social interaction. In countries like Zambia, riding a bike isn't about pleasure or exercise, it's a means of transportation.  Due to the lack of infrastructure, walking is the only way of getting around for most people. Access to a bike can be the difference between getting an education or being forced to drop out of school; receiving healthcare or going without.  

This past Friday night I was able to join fans and supporters of World Bicycle Relief at a meet and greet headlined by Chris Horner, followed by a black tie dinner in downtown San Diego, CA. The fundraiser was made possible through a combined effort of three of San Diego's largest cycling clubs: UC Cyclery, San Diego Bike Club, and Swami's. 

The purpose of the event was to raise funds and awareness for World Bicycle Relief's efforts in providing bicycles to people in countries that do not have the necessary transportation and infrastructure for access to healthcare and education. WBR is currently focusing their efforts in the African nation of Zambia. The organization has already delivered nearly 30,000 bicycles to school children who use the bikes to ride the many miles from their villages to school. WBR also provides bicycles to healthcare volunteers so they can reach the rural villages and help care for the many people afflicted with HIV and malaria, all of whom have no other access to medical help.

The evening began with hors d'ourves and drinks at a local bike shop where the ever approachable Chris Horner signed autographs, posed for pictures and shared stories about his top-10 overall result at this year's Tour de France. I was able to give first hand accounts of my experiences while in Zambia last October.  My Kelly Benefit Strategies teammates and I  had the opportunity to raise money for WBR throughout the 2009 racing season at different team events. In the process, four of us really got excited about what we were doing and the impact we could make.  We were able to take a trip with SRAM and WBR co-founder FK Day to help deliver bikes that we had directly purchased through our fundraising efforts. Seeing the faces of the children as we presented them with their bikes was something that I'll never forget. It was great being able to share these stories with other generous contributors. 

(Photo: Neil Shirley)

After the meet and greet it was on to the main event, a $200.00 a plate dinner hosted by Farmhouse Cafe, an upscale French cuisine restaurant. The dinner was limited to 40 seats and sold out weeks before the event. Horner entertained the guests by reminiscing about his career and life as a cycling superstar while Rebecca Much and Jill Reid, World Bicycle Relief representatives, enlightened everyone on the work that WBR is doing and how it's helping change lives. A silent auction was held during the dinner that included SRAM components that were raced in the Tour and then autographed by Lance Armstrong, signed jerseys by Armstrong and Horner, custom clothing by Squadra and many other one-of-a-kind items. 

By the end of the evening, over $20,000 had been raised for World Bicycle Relief. Each WBR bike costs $134.00 so that's more than 150 bikes that will go towards enabling children to attend school, helping care givers reach more people in need, and promote economic development in the area. Event organizer Hubert Otlik said; "The support and generosity that we saw here tonight was more than I could have imagined but it's just a start, we hope to double that amount in next year's event."

For more info on World Bicycle Relief and the work they are doing, please go to www.worldbicyclerelief.org