FasterSkier

Visit FasterSkier.com →

From the FasterSkier archive — posts syndicated from athletes’ and coaches’ own blogs between 2004 and 2012, kept online as published. Current coverage is at fasterskier.com.

Tag: VBT

  • Kelly Brush Ride Raises More Than $400K

    Handcyclists, led by Kelly Brush, at the start of the 11th Annual Kelly Brush Ride powered by VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations on 9-10-16 in Middlebury, Vermont. The annual ride through the Champlain Valley drew more than 700 cyclists and 30 handcyclists and raised more than $400,000 for adaptive sports and ski racing safety. (Image: Caleb Kenna)
    Handcyclists, led by Kelly Brush, at the start of the 11th Annual Kelly Brush Ride powered by VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations on 9-10-16 in Middlebury, Vermont. The annual ride through the Champlain Valley drew more than 700 cyclists and 30 handcyclists and raised more than $400,000 for adaptive sports and ski racing safety. (Image: Caleb Kenna)

    11th Annual Event Supports Adaptive Sports, Ski Racing Safety

    SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (Sept. 15, 2016)—Fundraising for the 11th Annual Kelly Brush Ride powered by VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations surpassed $400,000.  The ride supports the Kelly Brush Foundation’s mission to empower those living with paralysis through sport and recreation and to improve ski racing safety.

    More than 700 cyclists and 30 handcyclists, along with more than 100 volunteers participated in the event that was held on September 10 in Middlebury, Vermont.  The total amount raised was $425,000.

    “This year’s Kelly Brush Ride was a huge success both in how much fun was had by all riders and the record amount we raised to enable the Kelly Brush Foundation to do even more to improve the quality of life for those with paralysis and allow us to continue to raise the bar when it comes to safety in ski racing, “ said Zeke Davisson, executive director of the Kelly Brush Foundation.

    Cyclists rolling in Middlebury, Vermont, on the 11th Annual Kelly Brush Ride powered by VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations on 9-10-16. The annual ride, which starts and finishes in Middlebury and winds through the Champlain Valley, drew more than 700 cyclists and 30 handcyclists. The event raised more than $400,000 for adaptive sports and ski racing safety. (Image: Caleb Kenna)
    Cyclists rolling in Middlebury, Vermont, on the 11th Annual Kelly Brush Ride powered by VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations on 9-10-16. The annual ride, which starts and finishes in Middlebury and winds through the Champlain Valley, drew more than 700 cyclists and 30 handcyclists. The event raised more than $400,000 for adaptive sports and ski racing safety. (Image: Caleb Kenna)

    The ride was made even more inspiring by the impressive effort of handcyclists Geoff Krill of Woodstock, New Hampshire, and Mike Wade of Silver Lake, New Hampshire, who completed the entire 100-mile route.

    Funds raised from the event go towards improving the quality of life for those with paralysis through grants for adaptive sports gear and helps to improve ski racing safety with equipment such as netting to line race courses. With the ride as its signature fundraising event, the Kelly Brush Foundation has raised more than $3 million, purchased more than 300 pieces of adaptive sports equipment and helped keep thousands of ski racers safe with hundreds of miles of safety netting, trail widening projects and awareness about ski racing safety.

    The ride was started by the Middlebury College Ski Team in 2006 as a way to buy an adaptive monoski and handcycle for team member Kelly Brush, who was paralyzed as the result of a ski racing crash. The next year the ride was opened to the public, with proceeds used to support the foundation’s mission.  The Kelly Brush Ride powered by VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations is made possible thanks to the generosity of many participants, volunteers and sponsors including: VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations, Shearer Audi, Sugarbush Resort, SkiRack, Saatchi & Saatchi, World Cup Supply, Murphy Realty Company and many other generous sponsors.

    About the Kelly Brush Foundation: The Kelly Brush Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated empowering those with paralysis through ownership of adaptive sports equipment and improving safety in the sport of ski racing. The foundation has raised more than $3 million, helping to purchase more than 300 pieces of adaptive sports equipment and keep thousands of ski racers safe with hundreds of miles of safety netting, trail widening projects and awareness about ski racing safety. Kelly Brush, together with her family, started the foundation in 2006 after she sustained a severe spinal cord injury while racing in NCAA Div. 1 competition as a member of the Middlebury College Ski Team in Vermont. The Kelly Brush Foundation affirms Kelly’s ongoing commitment to live life on her own terms and better the lives of others living with paralysis. www.kellybrushfoundation.org

    About VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations:  VBT offers deluxe, small group bicycling and walking tours worldwide, including destinations throughout Europe, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Vietnam, Peru, Chile, South Africa and the United States. Each trip includes all accommodations, many meals, two expert local Trip Leaders, unique sightseeing and cultural activities and on-tour vehicle support. Unlike other companies, VBT also includes roundtrip international airfare from over 30 U.S. cities and select Canadian cities for all overseas vacations. In 2015, VBT was rated by the readers of Travel + Leisure magazine among the “World’s Best Tour Operators” for the sixth consecutive year.

     

  • Kelly Brush Century Ride Rolls on Saturday, Sept. 7

    Kelly Brush Davisson leads the start of the 2012 Kelly Brush Century Ride powered by VBT Bicycle and Walking Vacations in Middlebury, Vt. Now in its eighth year, the ride has raised over $1 million for adaptive athletes and ski racing safety.(Photo by Rajan Chawla Photography)
    Kelly Brush Davisson leads the start of the 2012 Kelly Brush Century Ride powered by VBT Bicycle and Walking Vacations in Middlebury, Vt. Now in its eighth year, the ride has raised over $1 million for adaptive athletes and ski racing safety. (Photo: Rajan Chawla Photography)

    Paralympic medalist to join the ride 

    BURLINGTON, Vt. (September 3, 2013) Vermont’s largest charity ride, the Kelly Brush Century Ride powered by VBT Bicycle and Walking Vacations, is set to roll on Saturday in Middlebury, Vt. Over 700 cyclists and handcyclists are expected to spin through the scenic Champlain Valley raising funds for adaptive athletes and ski racing safety.

    Thirteen-time Paralympic medalist Chris Waddell is the most decorated male skier in Paralympian in history and one of an elite group to have medaled in both summer and winter games.
    Chris Waddell, former U.S. Adaptive Team member and the most decorated male skier in Paralympic history, ski racing. Waddell plans to join Vermont’s largest charity ride, the Kelly Brush Century Ride powered by VBT Bicycle and Walking Vacations, on September 7 in Middlebury, Vt. (Credit: Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

    Among the riders will be 13-time Paralympic medalist Chris Waddell. He is the most decorated male skier in Paralympian in history and one of an elite group to have medaled in both summer and winter games.

    Now in its eighth year, the Kelly Brush Century Ride Powered by VBT Bicycle and Walking Vacations has raised over $1 million for adaptive athletes and ski racing safety. In addition to drawing more bicyclists than any other charity ride in the state, the event is the region’s largest for adaptive athletes using handcycles with more than two dozen participants taking to the course last year.

    “For the Kelly Brush Foundation the century ride is where the rubber meets the road,” said Charlie Brush, foundation president. “Participants in the ride have raised over $1 million empowering the foundation to make a positive difference in the quality of life for adaptive athletes living with Spinal Cord Injury and helping to change the paradigm when it comes to ski racing safety.”

    Funds raised through the ride support the Kelly Brush Foundation’s mission to conquer the challenges of paralysis through love of sport by helping athletes with spinal cord injuries purchase specialized sports equipment. The foundation has awarded grants for adaptive gear for skiing, cycling, bowling, rowing and even horse carriage racing.

    Waddell, who started his own foundation, One Revolution, to change perceptions of the disabled, said joining the Kelly Brush ride was a great way to show his support for the Kelly Brush Foundation’s work.

    “I am 100 percent behind the Kelly Brush Foundation’s mission to provide specialized gear to adaptive athletes and improve ski racing safety. I know first hand the beneficial role sports play for those living with spinal cord injury. As a former competitive skier, I’m proud to be associated with an organization that has done so much to raise awareness about and improve ski racing safety,” Waddell said.

    Last year, 650 riders participated, supported by 100 volunteers, raising over $250,000 for the Kelly Brush Foundation. Participants in the Kelly Brush Century Ride have helped the foundation award over 60 grants for adaptive equipment and put over 400 miles of safety netting onto race courses across the country.

    The scenic ride over gently rolling terrain in the Champlain Valley offers several distance options: 25, 50 or 100 miles, with options to ride 65 or 85 miles. In addition to members of the Middlebury College Ski Team, the ride has seen strong participation from area ski academies, including Green Mountain Valley School, Burke Mountain Academy and Stratton Mountain School. Riders and teams of riders compete to raise the most money with riders earning Patagonia clothing by reaching fundraising milestones.

    Online registration for the event closes on Sept. 4 at midnight. Day-of-ride registration is available. Registration is online at: www.kellybrushfoundation.org

    The ride was started by the Middlebury College Ski Team as a way to raise money to buy an adaptive mono-ski for team member Kelly Brush Davisson, who was paralyzed as the result of a ski racing crash. Brush and her family later founded a nonprofit, and the ride was opened to the public.

    The Kelly Brush Century Ride powered by VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations is made possible thanks to the generosity of participants and sponsors including: VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations, Shearer Audi, Sugarbush Resort, KeyBank, Saatchi & Saatchi, World Cup Supply and others.

    About the Kelly Brush Foundation: The Kelly Brush Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving ski racing safety, enhancing the quality of life for those with spinal cord injury(SCI) through providing adaptive sports equipment, advancing scientific research on SCI and supporting the U.S. Adaptive Ski Team. The foundation has raised over $1 million and assisted in procuring over 400 miles of safety netting and other safety equipment for ski racing organizations as well as launched a successful public awareness campaign about ski racing safety. The foundation has also purchased over 60 pieces of adaptive equipment for paralyzed individuals, getting them back into the sports they love. Kelly Brush Davisson, together with her family, started the foundation in 2006 after she sustained a severe spinal cord injury while racing in NCAA Div. 1 competition as a member of the Middlebury College Ski Team in Vermont. The Kelly Brush Foundation affirms Kelly’s ongoing commitment to live life on her own terms and better the lives of others living with SCI. www.kellybrushfoundation.org

    About VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations: Founded in 1971 by a Middlebury College professor, VBT offers deluxe, small group bicycling, walking and cross-country skiing tours worldwide, including destinations in Europe, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Vietnam, Thailand, Peru, Argentina, Canada and the U.S.A. Each trip includes all accommodations, many meals, two expert local Trip Leaders, unique sightseeing and cultural activities, and full vehicle support. Unlike other companies, VBT also includes international airfare in its trip cost. www.vbt.com.

    About One Revolution: Paralyzed in 1988 while a member of the Middlebury College Ski Team, Chris Waddell went on to become one of the most decorated Paralympic athletes, earning 13 medals over seven games. He won World Championships in skiing and wheelchair racing. Compelled to change the way that others perceive those with disabilities, Waddell founded One Revolution Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to change the way that the world sees people with disabilities by demonstrating the common journey of challenge. www.one-revolution.org