Mt. Charlie Challenge Turns 10

The Scotts Valley Educational Foundation is hosting the 10th-annual Mt. Charlie Challenge bike ride to benefit Scotts Valley schools.

The SVEF is a non-profit organization that holds several fundraising events throughout the year using 100 percent of the money raised to fund critical needs in the Scotts Valley Unified School District.

“Since January 2011, SVEF has contributed about $130,000 to keep school libraries open, provide counseling services, and support technology needs at all four public schools in Scotts Valley,” SVEF said in a press release.

The ride is the foundation’s biggest fundraiser of the year and brought in $29,000 for local schools last year, and over $200,000 over the past 10 years.

“We owe it all to the incredible community support we receive,” ride co-chair Aura Clendenen said. “It’s amazing how riders, sponsors, donors and volunteers step up each year. It’s truly a reflection of how much this town values its public schools.”

This year’s ride will take place on May 5 and will begin and end in Skypark. Riders will have the option of three different courses to choose from–100-miles, 62-miles or 32 miles.

The 100-mile course is a new addition this year and will take riders from the Summit to Elkhorn Slough where they will encounter scenic and challenging climbs. The 62-mile ride will take riders into the mountains up to Summit past several wineries. And the 32-mile ride has modest climbs as it takes riders through the county.

This family-friendly event is not all about the ride though. An after party, open to everyone, will take place in Skypark and will feature a children’s bike ride, barbeque and many other family activities. The SVHS drum line will perform at noon and the band, Back to Nowhere, will perform from 1:30 to 4 p.m. There will also be a raffle with dozens of prizes, including a cruiser bike donated by Scotts Valley Cycle Sport, and a silent auction with prizes such as a new set of tires from Lloyd’s Tires and four lower deck seats at a San Francisco Giants game.

Riders can pre-register for $75 until April 20. Registration after that is $100. All registered riders will receive a ride t-shirt, goodie bag, SAG support, fully-staffed and stocked rest stops, raffle tickets, weekly training rides preceding the ride, ride-day bike tuning and repair services, and a post-ride barbeque lunch prepared by the Scotts Valley Kiwanis.

To register for the Mt. Charlie Challenge, click here. For maps of the rides or more information, visit www.svef.net.