A dean and a group of prominent University of Colorado at Boulder alumni hope more than a thousand cyclists will sign up for pledge rides during a new fall fund-raiser to benefit students at the university's College of Arts and Sciences.
The Buffalo Bicycle Classic will be held Sept. 7 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pledge-ride routes of 32, 65 and 100 miles will each begin and end near Folsom Field on the CU-Boulder campus. Proceeds raised by bikers will support student scholarships, research and creative projects.
Bikers will pedal routes along city and county roads as far north as Masonville near Horsetooth Reservoir in Larimer County. In addition to a $35 entry fee, each rider will be expected to raise at least $25 in pledges.
As many as 2,000 people will be involved in the event, including CU-Boulder staff, the university's cycling team, volunteers and rider families. A post-ride celebration will feature entertainment and recognition of riders and sponsors.
The event was conceived by CU-Boulder arts and sciences Dean Todd Gleeson. For the last two summers Gleeson has biked the 160-mile Courage Classic, a fund-raising event for Children's Hospital in Denver. He was joined by developer Woody Eaton, a 1962 graduate of CU-Boulder and donor for the campus's Eaton Humanities Building.
"The quality of the Children's Hospital event and the strong bicycling ethic at CU and along the Front Range started us thinking about a fall fund-raising ride for the college," Gleeson said.
Eaton has been an avid cyclist for 30 years. "With CU and the amount of world-class athletes around here, we have a huge cycling community," Eaton said. "This is as much a Mecca for cycling as it is for running."
Gleeson and Eaton recruited the help of CU alumnus Frank Banta, a 1972 graduate in biology, of Banta Construction and Gail Mock of Mock Realty -- both longtime supporters of the college and cycling enthusiasts with experience in organizing rides. "The four of us met several times and decided that we could organize a successful event that would be fun for riders of all levels and that would raise both friends and funds for the college," Gleeson said.
The idea for the fund-raising ride wouldn't have become a reality without the organizational help of university alumni and friends, Gleeson said. "They have the Boulder and Denver bike shops and business community rallied behind the ride, and have actively promoted the event."
CU President Elizabeth Hoffman, Chancellor Richard L. Byyny and a number of university offices and academic departments are sponsoring aid stations along the bike routes.
The goal for this year's ride is to get established as a safe and well-supported event. The ride was in planning stages even before the recent economic downturn and reduction of state support for higher education. Organizers hope to eventually generate significant funds. "We hope that within four years, the ride will raise $200,000 of scholarship funds annually," Gleeson said.
Gleeson bikes his 20-mile round-trip commute to CU-Boulder on most workdays during the summer and one to three days a week during the school year, weather permitting. Though the biology professor joked that he'd never be mistaken for Lance Armstrong, he will join the field on Sept. 7. "I'll be riding either the 65- or the 100-mile route, depending upon whether or not I am needed at the finish line before sunset."
For more information about the Buffalo Bicycle Classic, including registration materials and route maps, visit .