Organizers of the inaugural Second Summer Cycle charity bike ride announced Thursday that the ride, scheduled for this Sunday, Sept. 17, has been cancelled, due to the impending storm.
Four hundred cyclists were registered for the event, having raised thousands of dollars for 18 nonprofit organizations across Cape Cod.
The cancellation was prompted by a decision from officials in some towns along the routes to discourage such events from happening this weekend. Emergency services are being dedicated to 911 emergency calls, as well as calls related to the storm. The organizing committee was also concerned about rider safety in light of the strong rain and winds that are expected.
“We are extremely disappointed to have to make this difficult call,” said Pat Lentell, Second Summer Cycle Ride Director. “From the very beginning, our goal was to create the safest, most scenic ride ever on Cape Cod, and conditions look precarious at best.”
“The decision to cancel was not taken lightly,” said David Troutman, a member of the Second Summer Cycle organizing committee and Past Immediate Chair of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce. “We understand that people have been training and fundraising for months and this comes as a great disappointment. Even though we can’t go the distance together on Sunday, riders can rest assured that their hard-earned fundraising dollars WILL go the distance in supporting the Cape Cod community. We’re now setting our sights on 2024.”
As of Sept. 14, more than $205,000 has been raised by riders. All funds will go directly to the non-profits they chose. Participants who registered in time to receive a free t-shirt can pick them up on Friday, Sept. 15 at 250 South St., Hyannis at the Guyer Barn between 4 and 7 p.m.
The inaugural Second Summer Cycle charity bike ride was organized by the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce. The ride offered a choice of three routes, ranging from 30 to nearly 100 miles with starts in Mashpee, Sandwich and Orleans.
Donations can still be made to the riders online, many of whom are pledging to do the ride on their own time. Visit secondsummercycle.com to donate to an individual rider, a specific beneficiary, or to split your donation among all the beneficiaries.
Beneficiaries include Calmer Choice, Cape Abilities, Cape and Islands United Way, Cape Cod Children’s Place, Cape Wellness Collaborative, Cape Symphony, CCYP, CHAMP Homes, Community Connections, Cotuit Center for the Arts, Cultural Center of Cape Cod, Duffy Health Center, Latham Centers, Love Live Local, Sharing Kindness, WE CAN, YMCA Cape Cod, and Youth Athletic Fund.
Plans for the 2024 Second Summer Cycle will be announced at secondsummercycle.com.
