Thirty-eight cyclists pushed their physical limits during a hot, sweltering summer day—June 21, being the start of the summer solstice and the longest day of the year— to ride in the inaugural Solstice Century Ride. Riding 100 miles in a special figure 8 route at Oswego's Arranmore Farm & Polo Club, these participants raised over $100,000 that will go to local charities focusing on mental health and community services.
NAPERVILLE, Ill. , July 18, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Thirty-eight cyclists pushed their physical limits during a hot, sweltering summer day—June 21, being the start of the summer solstice and the longest day of the year— to ride in the inaugural Solstice Century Ride. Riding 100 miles in a special figure 8 route at Oswego's Arranmore Farm & Polo Club, these participants raised over $100,000 that will go to local charities focusing on mental health and community services.
Zac Larson, wealth advisor and co-founder of IntentGen Financial Partners in Naperville, created this event by combining his love of cycling and passion for giving back to his local community. He explained that most funds will be distributed among several community service organizations, including DuPagePads, Loaves and Fishes, and Hesed House. Additionally, mental health services such as SamaraCare, Grow Wellness Foundation, and Max's Mission will also benefit. Riders were also free to support their favorite charities, and six charitable organizations will also receive monies.
The 16-hour event wrapped up with an evening celebration of food furnished by Billy Bricks pizza and musical entertainment by Tres Moustache.
"We had 38 riders, over 30 volunteers, and 120 attendees at the post-ride celebration event. In total, we raised over $100,000 for charity," Larson said. "Nineteen riders completed the 100-mile challenge. Impressively, almost all of these riders surpassed their previous personal best distances on that day."
Much planning was done to get the event on the right track. As the event organizer, Larson added that one of the challenges was encouraging people to do the ride despite reaching out to fitness and bike riding groups. Many participants invited their friends to come. Another concern was having riders conditioned for such a trek.
"Training and staying healthy for such an event is difficult," he explained. "The extreme heat, with temperatures exceeding 90 degrees that day, was another challenge. We provided plenty of cold drinks, rest stops, watermelon, and even an ice cream truck to help everyone get through the day."
In addition to the volunteers and riders, Larson is also grateful for the following sponsors: IntentGen Financial Partners, John Greene Real Estate, Trek-Naperville, WRIB Manufacturing, and Go Brewing for their financial contributions in covering services, food, beverages, insurance, permits, and the event location so that all donated funds went directly to the nonprofits.
With riders already committed to returning in 2025, Larson has bigger plans.
"Next year, we hope to have more riders and increased community and corporate support to raise at least $150,000 for local charities," Larson said. "My company, IntentGen Financial Partners, supported this event because we believe in empowering people to live intentionally and generously. Partnering with them to manage their finances well makes investing in such events an easy decision. Solstice Century encourages people to embody both values. If more values-aligned individuals and companies join us next year, the potential impact could be tremendous."
For more information, visit SolsticeCentury.com.
About Solstice Century:
Hosted by Zac Larson, Solstice Century is giving 100 riders a chance to experience the challenge and exhilaration of participating in a 100-mile century ride that will take you from the beauty of Arranmore Farm in Oswego, Illinois, past homes, corn, and soybean fields during an Illinois day that is likely to be hot and humid. But, fear not, June 21 is the summer solstice, noted as the longest day of sunlight in the year, so there's a lot of time to finish this ride!
It will push you. It will probably hurt. But, when you are done, it will fill you with a huge sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. And it will feel good, knowing that you've helped others who you will never meet. For more information, visit SolsticeCentury.com.
Media Contact
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SOURCE Solstice Century
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