4 Bike-Free Ways to Get Involved with Cycle of Hope

Sure, we know it’s in the name: Cycle of Hope. So, we don’t blame you for assuming you need a bicycle to be a part of Cycle of Hope - Habitat's largest fundraising event of the year! Believe it or not, though, we’ve got plenty of ways for you to participate in this year’s Cycle of Hope benefit even if you’re sans-cycle.

Here are some of our favorites:

1. Put the "Move" in "Movement"

If there was one upside to two fully-virtual cycling events, it was that our Cycle of Hope community still participated in force; they just had to get a little more creative to do it! It meant athletes of all kinds– not just cyclists – put the move in movement to benefit Habitat. It’s why we are continuing to offer our totally customizable Virtual DIY experience, alongside our in-person ride in Los Altos Hills.

Sign up for the DIY, and you can do Cycle of Hope your way. Sure, you can bike if you’ve got one, and do it at any distance, anywhere, any time between October 1-23. But you can also be a DIY athlete of any kind:

• Use just your feet, as a runner, walker, or hiker.
• Kayak your favorite waterway.
• Commit to a half hour of yoga a day for the length of the virtual window.
• Hop on that stationary trainer, that elliptical, that treadmill, or that rowing machine.
• Get your kiddo on their trike or their scooter.

2. Become a Fundraiser

Maybe you’re eager to make a difference in the housing crisis, but not so eager or able to put in the miles. No problem! You can still do plenty to support Habitat through Cycle of Hope as a fundraiser. That’s right, you don’t have to sign up to cycle – you can get a simple-to-use Cycle of Hope fundraising page just by signing up as a fundraiser. This makes it super easy to share your fundraising efforts with friends and family, or far and wide through social media, so that it’s a snap to raise critical funds that support our work to build homes, communities, and hope.

3. Give it Some Time

Another way to offer much-needed support to Cycle of Hope is to join us as an event volunteer. Pulling off a premier athletic experience is a gargantuan effort, and we depend on our volunteers to help us make it happen. Just like a Habitat construction site, Cycle of Hope can’t run successfully without the help of volunteers, pitching in on everything from preparing athlete packets, to giving parking directions, to handing out medals, to keeping our athletes on course and nourished – and much more besides. So, if you’ve got no bike but you do have time to offer, we will gratefully take the help – and you’ll get an event t-shirt, food, and the knowledge that you’ve helped Habitat do some real good in our communities.

You can still be an integral part of Cycle of Hope, even if you’re on the sidelines – in-person or virtually! Our athletes are taking on a significant challenge – both the hills they might be climbing and the serious housing crisis they’re helping Habitat address. Your support can make a huge difference as they face both those challenges, and you can send it in a few different ways. For one, you can donate in support of your favorite athlete’s fundraising efforts. When you donate in honor of your cycling (or DIY-ing) loved one, you not only support Habitat’s mission – you also give them a nudge toward fundraising incentives like a free premium cycling jersey or a spot in our exclusive VIP Zone. You can also come out on October 23^rd to cheer on your athlete in person, offering that much-needed boost as they push off from the start line or crest that final hill to the finish. Or, cheer them on virtually! All of our in-person athletes will be using our official ride app, RaceJoy, to stay on-course and pushing toward the finish line – and you can give them a bit of moral support from anywhere! Find out more about how to keep tabs on your athlete and give them a virtual cheer.

As you can see, not being a cyclist is no reason to sit this event out!

Want to ride but don't have a bike?

If you are cyclist but just don't have a bike, consider renting a bike from a local bike shop. Sports Basement and Campus Bike Shop, for instance, have a range of rental options available. Hopping on a rental from a local bike shop can be a great way to join us for the big day on October 23^rd, even if you don’t have wheels of your own. Plus, many local rental and demo programs offer the option to put your fee toward the purchase of your ride if you love it enough for a long-term commitment!