By Jessica E. Davis, Patch Staff
Hundreds of Cyclists to Pedal for Charity on the Santa Monica Pier
More than 400 cyclists will descend on the Santa Monica Pier next month for a 100-mile stationary bike ride aimed to raise more than $500,000 for the Harold Robinson Foundation.
The pedaling will get underway at 11 a.m. June 2 at the pier. Nearly all of the proceeds will go toward providing a camp experience at the Canyon Creek Complex for local inner city children.
Jeff Robinson, founder of Harold Robinson Foundation, said this year’s event will be bigger than ever, with double the amount of celebrities and athletes expected to attend. Last year, Hilary and Haylie Duff were among the attendees, he said.
“We currently already have 400 riders and 107 teams,” Robinson said. “We’re anticipating an unbelievable day at the pier.”
The 5-hour Pedal on the Pier event will feature the city’s most popular spin instructors, DJs, vendors, food, drinks and music, according to organizers. The bikes will be provided by L.A.-based Kinetic Cycling.
Robinson began the event several years ago as a 100-mile bike ride, but decided to turn it into a stationary ride in order to build a sense of community among the riders.
“The sense of community that goes on at this event is nothing like I’ve ever experienced,” Robinson said.
Robinson said the funding is crucial to bringing children to the camp, which continues to make a difference.
“The kids, they’ve taken the tools they’ve learned up here and they’ve gone back to schools and communities,” Robinson said. “We found that we were changing the life and path that these kids were on.”
