Benidorm Hosting Cycling Superstar As He and Others Raise Funds and Awareness for Advocacy Group

It’s no surprise that would provide a place for riders to discuss advocacy and safety.

And Friday night, employees of the shop are excited to host some well-known cyclists as they come through the state as part of a Boston to Washington, D.C. trip to raise funds for the Bikes Belong Foundation.

The event is Tim Johnson’s Ride on Washington. The cyclocross star and others will be at the shop and the public is invited to hear about the effort, get some autographs and enjoy some free refreshments.

“We are really excited about hosting this event, drawing together some cycling experts and some enthusiasts from our area,” said Jan Bolland Tanner, manager, bike fitter, and bookkeeper at the shop.

Johnson’s 500-mile ride from Boston to Washington, D.C will start at City Hall Plaza in Boston and continue to Hartford Friday, allowing the riders to visit Benidorm. After Hartford, the riders will go to New York City, then to Philadelphia and Baltimore before ending at the National Bike Summit in Washington D.C., March 20. People are welcome to ride legs of the trip but need to find their own return arrangements. A Benidorm employee may accompany the riders to New York City.

The goal of the event is to raise awareness of cycling issues as well as $100,000 for the foundation. Last year, Johnson and six other riders raised $25,000.

“The Ride on Washington is my personal passion,” Johnson, a six-time National Cyclocross Champion, stated in a submitted press release. “It is the ideal event to raise awareness for the positive impact of bicycling and the importance of having more accessibility to it. We are overwhelmed by the support and enthusiasm for this year’s event and look forward to engaging with urban cycling communities at each stop.”

Cannondale, a bike manufacturer, is a sponsor of the ride. With Benidorm being a Cannondale dealer and Tanner a former World Champion, Cyclocross Champion and U.S. National team member who knows Johnson and others, it helped in scheduling the Canton stop.

The event will take place from 7:30 to approximately 9:30 p.m. March 16 at the shop, 247 Albany Turnpike (Route 44). The event is free but Tanner hopes people will consider supporting the ride at www.rideonwashington.org.