News
2013 Ride for Jim Scholarship
The Ride for Jim foundation was pleased to announce the recipient of the 2013 James D. Popp Summer Research Fellowship. This year the award went to Jeremy Kalma. See the full write up here
Open Committee Call
After another successful year, we cannot thank everyone enough for their participation, fundraising and contributions to make Ride for Jim such a wonderful event. This year marked our 5th anniversary, and fittingly we had the most riders we have ever had with 111 participants! Despite the rain, the event went off without issue and by the end everyone's belly was full with tacos and their legs were ready for a rest.
As we reflect on the event and our goals, we are in a position where we are ready to expand. Cycling is becoming more popular every year, and in 2015 Richmond will host the UCI Road World Cycling Championships! This is a major event, and will without doubt increase cycling enthusiasm in Richmond even more. Both the Ride for Jim Committee and the Massey Cancer Center are interested in contributing to this enthusiasm by continuing to offer the people of Richmond a fun day of cycling and gathering, all while supporting a great cause.
With that being said, we are looking to expand our committee. We would like to bring back the party to involve more than just those that ride, and continue to increase the number of riders. So we need you! Yes you, the party planner, the event coordinator, the marketer, the avid cyclist, the Richmond citizen. Whether you have been a rider every year, are a cancer survivor, or just want to help this great cause we can use your help. No qualifications are necessary, we are just looking for enthusiastic people who want to contribute to the Ride for Jim, the Massey Cancer Center and the city of Richmond. This is the time to get involved. Richmond was recently voted "The Best River Town Ever" by Outside magazine - a magazine that caters to outdoor enthusiasts including cyclists.
So what are you waiting for? Join now!
Email rideforjim@gmail.com and let us know you are interested. We will find a role for you!
Sincerely,
Your Ride for Jim Team
2012 Location Announcement
We are excited to announce this year's RideForJim event will take place at Rockett's Landing. Stay tuned to the website for more details about registration!
Mark Your Calendar!
We are pleased to announce that the 2012 RideForJim is scheduled for Sunday, August 19th. Location to be announced. The event committee is working hard on planning this year's event. We are excited to announce this year's RideForJim will be a 25-mile and 50-mile loop around the Richmond area. Stay tuned for more news!
2012 Ride for Jim Scholarship
On May 4th, the Ride for Jim foundation was pleased to announce the recipient of the 2012 James D. Popp Summer Research Fellowship. This year the award went to Hannah Gardner. Stay tuned for a bio and information on her upcoming research.
Download the Yorktown Ride for your GPS
Do you have a GPS for your bike. Want to download the route for Sunday's Ride? Click below for the file that works with your device.
GPX file
TCX file
Richmond Rider Rally Party and Finale Ride is almost here!
The party will be Saturday, August 20th , 5:00-9:00 PM at Crittenden Studio , 201 West 7th Street (Old Manchester near Legend Brewery).
This is an event you don't want to miss, and includes things such as:
- Yorktown riders pick up ride packets
- Bike check by the guys from Carytown Bicycle Company
- Endorphin Fitness Power Output Competition
- DJ's Summer Music Mix
- Richmond's own Legend beer on tap
- Silent Auction
- Once Upon a Vine South wine and beer tasting
- TransAmerica Rider Welcome Back Parade with The Greater Richmond Pipes and Drums
- Full Italian Dinner by A Sharper Palate
Check out the all the details with this flyer.
Buy Your Tickets NOW
The Yorktown Finale Ride will be the following morning at 8am. There is still time to sign up to ride if you haven't already! Already riding, check out ride day details here.
Ride for Jim 2011 Jersey!
The design for the 2011 Jersey is here! Want to sport one of these fancy go-fast shirts? Simple, get out there and raise some money. Riders who raise $200 or more will receive their very own RideforJim race jersey!
Chris Hong named second recipient of Ride For Jim
Research Scholarship
Hello, my name is Chris Hong and I am currently a first year medical student at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine. I was born and raised in San Jose, California very close to the heart of Silicon Valley. I attended Santa Clara University where I received a bachelors degree in electrical engineering in 2004 and a masters degree in electrical engineering in 2006. From 2004 to 2010, I worked as an electrical engineer at ITT Corporation, designing and developing high frequency signal intelligence systems for the US military.
In 2005, a close relative was diagnosed with cancer, and it was his arduous journey which ignited my interest in medicine as a career path. I was fascinated by the science of healthcare and the technology of the treatment. I began shadowing physicians and volunteering in hospitals and soon discovered that I sincerely enjoyed interacting with patients and the idea of being able to provide care for people in my community. The following year, I began taking pre-medical courses in the hopes of applying to medical school.
In 2008, I suffered from a disc herniation and sciatica due to a weight lifting injury. Over the next ten months, I endured severe back and leg pain and lost the physical freedoms I once took for granted. For physical conditioning, I took to cycling because I was no longer able to run. I quickly fell in love with the sport. Through cycling, I was able to strengthen my core, improve my fitness, and eventually recover from my injury. It was a very difficult time in my life, and it was cycling which enabled my body and spirits to feel whole again.
I was extremely excited when I first heard about the James D. Popp Summer Research Fellowship because, not only is it an excellent opportunity for research, but also because it combines two things that have had a profound impact on my life: cancer and cycling. I am extremely honored to have the opportunity to contribute towards the fight against cancer through research. As mentioned above, I, like many others, have been affected by cancer, and I wish wholeheartedly that one day we will find a cure. Also, during one not so distant summer, I hope to participate in the Transamerica Ride for Jim (if my wife lets me) because it is a fun and unique way to promote cancer research while honoring a great man. I look forward to beginning research this summer and I sincerely thank everyone that has supported this fellowship and amazing bike ride.
Ride For Jim on Virginia Currents!
Ride for Jim segment begins at 09:30:
Planning underway for 2011 Ride!
Planning is underway to make this year's Ride For Jim the biggest and best fundraising year so far.
To help us launch Ride For Jim 2011, Channel 23, Richmond's PBS Idea Station, has produced a video with interviews and footage taken during our ride to Yorktown last August. It will air as a segment on "Virginia Currents" February 24, 2011 at 8:00 PM and on February 26, 2011 at 5:30 PM. You won't want to miss it.
Please invite your friends to watch with you and join us in our effort to "Inspire a Bright Mind" to end the scourge of cancer.
Follow the news at Virginia Currents website:Virginia Currents
Ride For Jim's Inaugural Award
On March 25, 2010, the first James D. Popp Summer Research Fellowship was awarded. Ride for Jim is proud to announce that the inaugural recipient of the fellowship is Mr. Kyle H. Kindley.
Kyle Kindley is a current first year medical student at the VCU School of Medicine with aspirations of becoming an oncologist. He was born and raised in Clarksville, Virginia, a small town with approximately 1,200 citizens. Kyle graduated from the University of Virginia in 2009 with a B.A. in Physics. He is an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hobbies including biking, hunting, and fishing. Kyle has biked several trails throughout Virginia, but has never attempted such a daunting feat as the TransAmerica Ride for Jim. However, he did mention that, "the Ride for Jim is truly a 'once-in-a-lifetime' adventure, and I would be honored to be able to partake in the ride following my residency years. The summer fellowship gives me further inspiration to join the ride and provide fellow researchers the opportunity to perform cancer research due to the helpful contributions afforded by the Ride for Jim."
As a lifelong resident of Southside Virginia, Kyle wishes to return home after studying oncology to serve cancer patients who yearn for the stable establishment of a patient-oncologist relationship. Before starting medical school, he volunteered in many cancer related settings including Relay for Life and the Pediatric Oncology department at the VCU Medical Center. However, the Jim Popp research experience will be his first exposure to the extensive process of cancer research. Despite minimal experience in research, he is very excited to have been awarded the first Jim Popp Summer Research Fellowship. Kyle is currently discussing topics with several researchers at the Massey Cancer Center, and he is hoping to have a project started by this June. He concluded, "I would like to thank all who have graciously donated and volunteered their time to make the Ride for Jim a reality."
